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The Simplest Method to Tonify Qi: Morning Hand Clapping
Clapping hands is simple, yet its effects are profound.
Clapping is a method of health cultivation that embodies the essence of Yang, primarily functioning to tonify Qi. The hands are the stronghold of Yang Qi, while the feet are the stronghold of Yin Qi. There are a total of 39 acupoints in the hands, and clapping can vibrate Yang Qi, promoting the circulation of Qi throughout the body.
Why clap in the morning?
Because in the morning, as the sun rises, Yang Qi in the universe begins to accumulate, and the Yang Qi within the human body also starts to rise with the dawn. By clapping at this time, it can promote the rise of Yang Qi, facilitating the circulation of Qi throughout the body.
The Qianlong Emperor lived a long life and wrote many poems, though few were truly remarkable. One poem he wrote reflects the relationship between the hands and blood Qi: “The sun and moon rotate on my palms, time wishes to flow backward, with clear Qi and blood throughout my body, when will I turn gray?” From a literary perspective, this poem may not be commendable, but from a health perspective, it holds great value. He suggests that the secret to health and longevity is hidden in the palms, and mastering this secret can reverse the passage of time. What is this secret? It is clapping.Clapping can unblock the Qi and blood throughout the body; when the Qi and blood are clear, when will one have gray hair? Although the Qianlong Emperor’s poem may be exaggerated, clapping indeed has remarkable effects in tonifying Qi.
There are twelve meridians in the body, six of which are connected to the palms: the Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shǒu Tàiyīn Fèi Jīng), the Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Shǒu Shàoyīn Xīn Jīng), the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (Shǒu Juéyīn Xīnbāo Jīng), the Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Tàiyáng Xiǎo Cháng Jīng), the Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (Shǒu Shàoyáng Sān Jiāo Jīng), and the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng). Meridians are the pathways of Qi, connecting the internal organs. When the meridians are blocked, the flow of Qi is obstructed, leading to illness. Clapping can simultaneously unblock these six major meridians, and its effects should not be underestimated.
Why clap while shouting?
Our bodies are not only physical but also spiritual. Human spirit can be divided into three levels: the first level resides in the brain, known as consciousness, which people often use to think about money, beauty, and power; the second level resides in the heart, where emotions such as tranquility, anxiety, and fear often arise; the third level resides in the liver, referred to as the soul in TCM. The Huangdi Neijing states, “The heart houses the spirit, and the liver houses the soul.”
In Western terms, spirit and soul correspond to the subconscious. In the realm of consciousness, people need to think, while in the realm of the subconscious, they need tranquility, love, and gratitude. Consciousness can bring us wealth, while the subconscious can bring us health. For example, when a person sleeps, the consciousness in the brain rests, but the subconscious in the heart and liver continues to work, directing the stomach to digest and the blood to circulate.
Therefore, for the body to be healthy, the functioning of the subconscious must be normal. At the same time, human consciousness can also influence the subconscious. One method to influence the subconscious is through suggestion. For instance, if you repeatedly say a certain phrase, it gives the body a suggestion, and over time, this phrase will transform from consciousness into the subconscious, directly entering the heart and liver, thereby affecting our body. People in the park continuously shout, “My whole body is unblocked, and no diseases arise,” which is a form of suggestion. Over time, this consciousness will transform into the subconscious, influencing the entire body. Thus, human intention can sometimes be more effective than the best medicine.
Basic Hand Clapping Method to Tonify Qi
Spread your ten fingers, palms facing each other, fingers aligned, and clap evenly. Remember to keep the thumbs apart from the other four fingers to avoid excessive clapping that may cause bruising. Start with gentle claps and gradually increase the intensity. Clap with a force that your hands can bear, but do not clap too lightly. Otherwise, it will not stimulate the acupoints and reflex zones in the palms.
Clapping is best done in the morning. If the noise from clapping is too loud to bear, you can also clap with “hollow palms.” Bend the palms and spread the fingers, clapping down to the fingertips and the edges of the palms. However, this method has a smaller impact area, so the effect may be slightly less, thus requiring a longer duration of clapping.
In addition to the basic palm-to-palm clapping, you can also clap the backs of your hands against each other, clap the tiger mouths of both hands together, clap with bent palms, strike one hand’s palm with the other hand’s knife edge, and clap fists together. Do not underestimate these small actions; they are all significant. Just by carefully reading the chart of palm acupoints and reflex zones, you will understand that each small action targets one or several important acupoints and reflex zones. Stimulating them can unblock the meridians and ensure the smooth flow of Qi and blood.
Advanced Hand Clapping Method to Tonify Qi
(1) Lightly clap the back of the hands against the back and spine
Each segment of the spine has acupoints of the Governing Vessel. The Governing Vessel is one of the extraordinary meridians of the body, regulating the Qi and blood of the Yang meridians, resisting external pathogens, warming the meridians, and nourishing the internal organs. Clenching both hands into fists and lightly clapping the Mingmen acupoint on the back along the Governing Vessel can tonify Qi, strengthen the kidneys, bolster Yang, and support the righteous Qi. If you can also lightly clap the acupoints along the Bladder Meridian on the back, the tonifying effect will be even more pronounced.
(2) Clap the backs of both hands against the upper part of the coccyx and the outer sides of the buttocks
The end of the coccyx, known in Daoism as the “tailbone,” is the starting point for unblocking the Governing Vessel, with the immortal bone located above it. Clapping this area can enhance the Qi of the Governing Vessel, thus promoting bowel movements. Friends with constipation can try this method; it is simple and effective.
Next, alternate clapping the midline of the buttocks, where the Bladder Meridian runs, as clapping the Bladder Meridian helps with diuresis. Finally, alternate clapping the outer sides of the buttocks, where the Gallbladder Meridian runs, as clapping here can promote bile secretion and enhance the digestive, blood supply, and detoxification functions of the liver and gallbladder.
Many beauty-conscious women often complain about dull skin and spots, which are actually caused by toxins in the body. By using this method daily to clap, tonifying the Qi of the Governing Vessel and promoting bowel movements, the toxins in the body will be expelled. When the body is clean, the skin will naturally become fair and radiant, exuding a captivating glow from within.
(3) Lightly clap the abdomen
Use both hands to lightly clap the abdomen. Several meridians pass through the abdomen:the Ren Meridian (Rèn Mài), the Stomach Meridian of the Foot Yangming (Zú Yángmíng Wèi Jīng), the Kidney Meridian of the Foot Shaoyin (Zú Shàoyīn Shèn Jīng), the Spleen Meridian of the Foot Taiyin (Zú Tàiyīn Pí Jīng), and the Liver Meridian of the Foot Jueyin (Zú Juéyīn Gān Jīng). Alternating clapping in this area helps to strengthen the Qi of the spleen, stomach, liver, and kidneys.The Ren Meridian runs along the center of the abdomen, encompassing the Qi of all the Yin meridians, responsible for the essence, blood, and fluids of the body.If the Ren Meridian is obstructed, issues in the urinary and reproductive systems may arise, such as irregular menstruation, impotence, hernias, and pelvic masses.Regularly lightly clapping the Ren Meridian in the abdomen can stimulate the secretion of human sex hormones, regulate the Yin meridians, and thus delay aging.Lightly clapping the abdomen is beneficial for liver and gallbladder diseases, urinary and reproductive systems, digestive systems, nervous systems, and ophthalmic diseases. Some people instinctively pound their lower back when experiencing back pain; in reality, back pain may be caused by obstructed Qi and blood flow in the Liver Meridian. Persistently lightly clapping the abdomen can improve and cure back pain symptoms.
(4) Fist Clapping
One hand clenches into a fist while the other hand remains open, clapping the fist against the palm can strengthen the strength of the palm’s muscles and bones, thereby enhancing the peripheral nerves of the hands and improving the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body. When performing this action, coordinate with your steps, either walking or stepping while clapping. Nowadays, people often drive or take elevators, leading to fewer opportunities for walking, causing the feet to become weak. The Qi of the six meridians in the feet may be insufficient, leading to a decline in the functions of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, kidneys, and bladder.
Just like the hands, the feet also have many reflex zones that connect to the internal organs. If the Qi and blood in the foot reflex zones are blocked, corresponding organs will develop diseases. If you practice clapping while walking, both hands and feet will receive massage stimulation, which is an excellent method for health maintenance and disease prevention.