Balancing Yin and Yang!
The back should be kept warm, and the abdomen should be soft!
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a well-known theory called “Tiān rén xiāng yìng” (Heaven and Man Corresponding), which states that the human body and nature are an inseparable whole, meaning that nature changes according to human activities, and the human body also changes with the changes in nature.
As the weather begins to change, the human body adapts to these changes, and the Yin and Yang within the body also change accordingly. However, the body’s changes often cannot keep pace with the rapid changes in nature, making it easy for imbalances in Yin and Yang to occur, leading to illness.
So how can we adjust the balance of Yin and Yang?
Feet
Detoxifying and Nourishing, Supporting Yin and Yang
Our feet are home to the Yángmíng (Stomach) and Shàoyáng (Gallbladder) meridians, which are responsible for digestive functions, while the Tàiyīn (Spleen) and Juéyīn (Liver) meridians manage digestion and absorption. The Shàoyīn (Kidney) and Tàiyáng (Bladder) meridians are responsible for detoxification.
These meridians converge in the feet, making them a major area for adjusting Yin and Yang. We can perform tapping, massage, moxibustion, or hot foot baths on the soles of our feet. The water temperature for foot baths should be around 45 degrees Celsius, lasting about 20 minutes until a slight sweat appears. This method promotes blood circulation, nourishes Yin, supports Yang, and detoxifies. Moxibustion on the Yǒngquán (Kidney 1) point on the soles, especially at night, can replenish kidney essence and aid sleep.
Armpits
Boosting Immunity and Regulating Yin and Yang Balance
The armpits are where the Shǒu Tàiyīn (Lung), Shǒu Juéyīn (Pericardium), and Shǒu Shàoyīn (Heart) meridians run. These three Yin meridians can regulate the Yin and Yang of the heart and lungs. Modern anatomy recognizes that the armpits contain numerous important nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. Regularly tapping the armpits can promote fluid circulation.
Additionally, if someone else touches the armpits and causes laughter, it can stimulate other organs in the body, providing excellent results.
Tapping Method: You can tap along the inner side of the arm, gradually moving down to the wrist, using heat as a gauge, with the appearance of petechiae being ideal. Especially for women, regular massage can help prevent breast diseases.
Abdomen
The Sea of Yin Vessels, Harmony Resides in the Abdomen
Method: Rub the navel according to the navel massage tutorial.
Long-term navel rubbing can promote blood circulation and aid intestinal peristalsis, providing excellent treatment for constipation and indigestion. Moxibustion on the Shénquē (Navel) can be performed, either by suspended moxibustion or ginger moxibustion, both yielding good results. Regular moxibustion on the navel can eliminate numerous ailments!
Back
The Sea of Yang Vessels, Harmony Resides in the Back
Family members can tap each other’s backs, performing back massages and tapping to relax.
1. Back Pushing
The operator places the base of their palm on the thicker muscles on either side of the Dū (Governing Vessel) of the recipient, using waist strength to push the muscles upward (or downward) with moderate force, aiming for warmth. Push for about 10 minutes (note that this is pushing, not rubbing).
2. Tapping
Directly use the palm to tap the back, adjusting the force according to the recipient’s tolerance, gradually increasing the intensity. This can also help to clear the Dū (Governing Vessel) and Pángguāng (Bladder) meridians, enhancing Yang energy.
The Energy Cycle of Yin and Yang Organs in the Human Body
The theory of Yin and Yang is used to explain the organizational structure, physiological functions, and pathological changes of the human body, and it guides the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
In terms of body parts: the upper part is Yang, the lower part is Yin; the surface of the body is Yang, the interior is Yin;
Regarding the back and abdomen: the back is Yang, the abdomen is Yin;
Regarding the limbs: the outer sides of the limbs are Yang, the inner sides are Yin;
Regarding tendons, bones, and skin: tendons and bones are internal, thus Yin, while skin is external, thus Yang;
Regarding the internal organs: the six fu organs transmit and transform substances but do not store, thus Yang, while the five zang organs store essence and qi but do not excrete, thus Yin;
Regarding the five zang organs: the heart and lungs are in the upper jiao, thus Yang, while the liver, spleen, and kidneys are in the middle jiao, thus Yin.
The energy cycle diagram of Yin and Yang organs in the human body shows that the left side is governed by the heart, which is responsible for blood circulation; the right side is governed by the lungs, which are responsible for the meridian system. The heart, lungs, and the five zang and six fu organs work together to complete the circulation of qi in the body.
The energy of the Heart is based on Yin but transforms into Yang. That is, the heart relies on Yin blood as its foundation, while its expression is through heart fire. Further, although heart blood is Yin, the heart itself is Yang. The heart is like the sun: the sun is Yang and fire, corresponding to the heart in the human body. The heart fire descends through the lungs and stomach, warming the kidney water to prevent it from becoming too cold.
The Kidney Yang is the Yang of the entire body, while the Kidney Yin is the Yin of the entire body. The foundation of the kidneys is Kidney Yang, but it transforms into Yin. That is, the kidneys rely on Kidney Yang as their foundation, while Kidney water is their expression. Kidney Yin and water rise through the liver to the heart, regulating heart fire. The coldness of Kidney Yin can restrain the excess of heart fire, maintaining our body temperature within normal limits. Kidney Yang can warm the Spleen Yang.
Heart and Kidney Intersect, Water and Fire Harmonize
The Spleen is Yin and governs dampness, but its energy is inclined to the right, meaning that although the spleen is Yin, it generates the body’s clear qi and Yang energy! The spleen prefers dryness! In TCM, the spleen does not correspond to a specific internal organ; it corresponds to the spleen, pancreas, and digestive functions.
The Stomach is Yang and governs dryness, but its energy is inclined to the left, meaning that although the stomach is Yang, it prefers moistness! The spleen ascends while the stomach descends, providing Kidney Yin with nourishment, and heart fire will also descend with the lung and stomach qi to warm the Kidney water, preventing it from becoming too cold.
The Liver qi governs ascent, having an ascending nature, while Kidney Yin rises through the liver to the heart, regulating heart fire.
The Lungs govern diffusion and descending. The spleen, through the lung’s diffusion function, nourishes the head, face, skin, and hair with the clear parts of nutrients. Through the lung’s descending function, the turbid parts of nutrients are directed downwards to nourish the five zang and six fu organs. While the lungs clear turbid substances, the water vapor from the upper jiao is also cleared, transforming into liquid that enters the three jiao and then the bladder to form urine.
The Bladder is the official of the state, with part of it reabsorbing into the kidneys to nourish Kidney water, while most is expelled from the body.
The large circulation involves the liver ascending and the lungs descending, while the small circulation involves the spleen ascending and the stomach descending. Yin contains Yang, and Yang contains Yin; this is the overall principle.
The liver ascends while the lungs descend, the spleen ascends while the stomach descends. The liver ascends while the gallbladder descends, the lungs descend while the large intestine ascends, the heart descends while the small intestine ascends, the pericardium descends while the three jiao ascends, and the kidneys ascend while the bladder descends. This is from the perspective of meridian qi movement.
Therefore, when treating diseases with medication, we should not solely use Yang herbs, nor should we solely use Yin herbs; only a combination of Yin and Yang is in accordance with the way of heaven and earth.
Source from the internet, for reference, hoping everyone can benefit~~