How Qi (chi) energy flows through the 12 meridian points

that exist within your body

It may seem counterintuitive, but there are many instances where science can actually hold us
back from new discoveries and knowledge. Unfortunately, mainstream science is quick to
discount anything which cannot be physically seen or felt, making notions like ‘energy
points’ within the body seem like pure science fiction. But just because we can’t physically
see something, does not mean it doesn’t exist. Nikola Tesla told us that “the day science
begins to study non-physical phenomena,  it will make more progress in one decade than in
all the previous centuries of its existence,” and hundreds of scientists around the world have
been taking on this task for several years. Within the next few decades, the examination of
non-material science is going to skyrocket, and we all stand to benefit. What we know as
science is definitely changing.

One example where non-material science could benefit the human race is healthcare, as a
number of publications have revealed the importance of mind-body connections, and how our
thoughts, emotions, feelings, the perception of the environment around us and more are all
connected to the health of our body and regulation of our immune system. A study published
in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies titled “The Primo Vascular System as a
New Anatomical System” is one that has recognized the importance of these concepts.

The medical community, for the most part, discounts healing therapies using this type of
knowledge — knowledge which was present thousands of years ago in various ancient
cultures. Acupuncture, a technique that manipulates the human meridian system in order to
heal the body, has worked wonders for many people, yet our science has yet to explain how it
does so. This is one example of many. Despite being unable to scientifically explain how
these techniques function, few could deny that traditional Eastern medicine has proven
successful for many people, or that it’s been crucial for curing various diseases. It has been
used for thousands of years, and one has to assume that if it didn’t work, we would have
abandoned the practice by now.

According to Western medicine, no known meridian system has a physical anatomical basis.
The above study offers a different perspective, however:

In the early 1960s, only one hypothesis was proposed to explain the anatomical basis of
the meridians. By using different experimental approaches during the past 10 years, the
number of scientific papers that report the discovery of different anatomical and
physiological evidence confirming the existence of an anatomical basis for the meridian
system has increased. Morphological science is greatly challenged to offer a new
biomedical theory that explains the possible existence of new bodily systems such as the
primo vascular system (PVS). 

Researchers are calling it the Primo Vascular System, and, according to another paper
published in the journal Evidence Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, “even
today, the meridian system is still being investigated with well-known anatomical structures.”

This includes connective tissues called the fascia system, which are representative of the
function of the meridian system being established and understood, as outlined by a study
published in the journal Anatomical Record that mapped acupuncture points in serial gross
anatomical sections through the human arm. It found “an 80% correspondence between the
sites of acupuncture points and the location of intermuscular or intramuscular connective
tissue planes in the postmortem tissue sections.” The study proposed that “the anatomical
relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes is relevant to
acupuncture’s mechanism of action and suggests a potentially important integrative role for
interstitial connective tissue.”

Korean researchers (of the first study cited above) believe the primo-vascular system is in
fact the physical component of the Acupuncture Meridian System. They’ve also suggested
that this system is involved in channelling the flow of energy and information relayed by
biophotons (electromagnetic waves of light) and DNA. They propose that the anatomical
basis for the PVS and this energy, also known as “Qi,” is “an electromagnetic wave that is
involved very closely with the DNA in the PVS and that DNA “provides genetics
information” and “functions as a store of information that can be obtained from the
electromagnetic fields of the environment.”

They cite several studies showing that the PVS has been detected in various regions of the
body:

The PVs have been found inside blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The PVs inside
lymph vessels freely flow in the lymph. The PVs and PNs flow in the third ventricle,
fourth ventricle, cerebral aqueduct, and along the central canal of the spinal cord. The
PVS has also been found on the arachnoid mater, cerebellum,  perinervium, and
epinervium of the sciatic nerve. The PVs and PNs are present on the surfaces of the
liver, stomach, small and large intestines, bladder, spleen, kidneys and omentum,
abdominal cavity, hypodermal layer of the skin, superficial fascia, fat tissue, and cancer
fascia. The PVs also enter internal organ tissues.
The researchers injected a special staining dye which coloured the meridians, revealing thin
lines along these acupuncture points which were not present at non-acupuncture point sites
(where there are no meridians). The researchers discovered that the meridian lines are not
confined to the skin, but are in fact a concrete duct system through which liquid flows. They
also learned that this liquid aggregates to form stem cells.

After all of their research (as seen in the publication), the scientists concluded that PVS
allows communication between living organisms and the environment, and that it’s a system
which spans throughout the entire body and plays a role in all biological life processes. They
concluded that it receives signals in the form of electromagnetic waves from the environment,
and internal signals from the body as well:

The PVS, which until now has been a missing body system, can explain many of the
mysteries of life. The physical substrate for the meridian system is the missing point
that can be used to combine the knowledge of ancient Chinese medicine and that of
modern science into one successful unit.

It’s always interesting to look at ancient knowledge and teachings, particularly because so

much has been and continues to be confirmed by modern day science. Every day, it seems,
we discover why an ancient practice works on a scientific level; every day we validate
something which previous generations simply understood to be valuable. And these ‘new’
discoveries of old knowledge support the notion that many more of these supposedly
antiquated or pseudoscientific practices are in fact worthwhile.

There remain many phenomena for which we have no explanation. For example, a study
published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, as seen in the the US National
Library of Medicine, demonstrated that a women with special abilities was and is able to
accelerate the germination of specific seeds for the purposes of developing a more robust
seed stock. This is just one of many example where extraordinary things have been observed
and documented yet cannot be explained scientifically.

As with meridian points and energy systems in the body, perhaps science is calling us to be
more intuitive, more trusting, and more openminded. Perhaps a scientific explanation is not
needed to confirm what people knew thousands of years ago and still benefit from today. It’s
something to think about.

 From The Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences

The world below come from the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences.

“So, what is a meridian anyway? This is one of the first questions students of Chinese
medicine want to understand. Simply put, a meridian is an ‘energy highway’ in the human
body. Qi (chee) energy flows through this meridian or energy highway, accessing all party of
the body. Meridians can be mapped throughout the body; they flow within the body and not
on the surface, meridians exist in corresponding pairs and each meridian has many
acupuncture points along its path.

The term ‘meridian’ describes the overall energy distribution system of Chinese Medicine
and helps us to understand how basic substances of the body (Qi, blood and body fluids)
permeate the whole body. The individual meridians themselves are often described as
‘channels’ or even ‘vessels’ which reflects the notion of carrying, holding, or transporting qi,
blood and body fluids around the body.

It is tempting to think of the meridians of the human body the same way as we think of the
circulatory system, as the meridians are responsible for the distribution of the basic
substances throughout the body just like the circulatory system, but here is where the
similarities end. Conventional anatomy and physiology would not be able to identify these
pathways in a physical sense in the way that blood vessels can be identified.

It is more useful to consider the meridian system as an energetic distribution network that in
itself tends towards energetic manifestation. Meridians can be best understood as a process
rather than a structure.

Practitioners of Chinese Medicine must be as knowledgeable about these meridian channels

as the Western Doctor is about anatomy and physiology of the physical body. Without this
thorough understanding, successful acupuncture treatments would be difficult. A practitioner
of Chinese Medicine must know how and where to access the qi energy of the body to
facilitate the healing process.

There are twelve main meridians, or invisible channels, throughout the body with Qi or
energy flows. Each limb is traversed by six channels, three Yin channels on the inside, and
three Yang channels on the outside. Each of the twelve regular channels corresponds to the
five Yin organs, the six Yang organs as well as the Pericardium and San Jiao. These are
organs that have no anatomical counterpart in Western medicine but also relate to processes
in the body. It is also important to remember that organs should not be thought of as being
identical with the physical, anatomical organs of the body.

Each meridian is a Yin Yang pair, meaning each Yin organ is paired with its corresponding
Yang Organ: the Yin Lung organ, for example, corresponds with the Yang large intestine.

Qi flows in a precise manner through the twelve regular meridians or channels. First, Qi
flows from the chest area along the three arm Yin channels (Lung, Pericardium, and Heart) to
the hands. There they connect with the three paired arm Yang channels (Large Intestine, San
Jiao and Small Intestine) and flow upward to the head. In the head they connect with their
three corresponding leg Yang Channels (Stomach, Gall Bladder and Bladder) and flow down
the body to the feet. In the feet they connect with their corresponding leg Yin channels
(Spleen, Liver, Kidney) and flow up again to the chest to complete the cycle of Qi.

 Arm Tai Yin channel corresponds to the Lung

 Leg Tai Yin channel corresponds to the Spleen
 Arm Shao Yin channel corresponds to the Heart
 Leg Shao Yin corresponds to the Kidney
 Arm Jue Yin corresponds to the Pericardium
 Leg Jue Yin corresponds to the Liver
 Arm Yang Ming corresponds to the Large Intestine
 Leg Yang Ming corresponds to the Stomach
 Arm Tai Yang corresponds to the Small Intestine
 Leg Tai Yang corresponds to the Bladder
 Arm Shao Yang corresponds to the San Jiao
 Leg Shao Yang Channel corresponds to the Gall Bladder
The arm and leg channels of the same name are considered to ‘communicate’ with each other
in Chinese medicine. Thus, problems in a given channel or organ can be treated by using
various points on the communication ‘partner’. As an example: a problem with the lungs can
be treated by using points on the Spleen channel as they are both Tai Yin channels.

In addition to the twelve regular meridians there are ‘Extraordinary Meridians’ that are not
directly linked to the major organ system but have various specific functions:

1) they act as reservoirs of Qi and blood for the twelve regular channels, filling and emptying
as required

2) they circulate jing or ‘essence’ around the body because they have a strong connection
with the Kidneys

3) they help circulate the defensive Wei Qi over the trunk of the body and, as such, play an
important role in maintaining of good health

4) they provide further connections between the twelve regular channels

The meridian system of the human body is a delicate, yet intricate web of interconnecting
energy lines. If a person masters an understanding of this meridian system they will know the
secrets of the flow of Qi energy in the body.”
Internal Strength: What It Is (and Isn’t)
Published on March 27, 2014 by Sifu Anthony Korahais

“So it’s like having super powers?” she asked.

Her comment was innocent, but it caught me off guard.

I was speaking to a tai chi class about the concept of internal strength (nèi jìn, 內勁). As
usual, I was having trouble describing it.

Although I’m known for having a lot of internal strength, I’m not known for my ability
to explain it.

“Super powers?” I asked. “Well, I never thought about it like that before. But yeah, I guess
that’s what the Eastern legends sound like.”

In the world of martial arts, there are countless legends about past masters and their feats of
internal strength. These legends run from the believable (poking a hole through a wall with
just a finger), to the eyebrow-raising (killing a horse with a gentle pat on the back), to the
hard-to-swallow (striking someone from 30 feet using only Qi).

Today, there are endless debates about internal strength. Some people believe in it, some
people don’t, and some are on the fence.

If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, then you know that I’m passionate
about bringing Qigong and Tai Chi into the 21st century. So if we’re going to be cultivating
internal strength in the 21st century, then we need to know what it is we’re cultivating, and
why.

What It Sounds Like

Let’s start with terminology.  The Chinese term nei jin (內勁) is pronounced as follows:

 “nay” (as in naysayers)

 “gin” (as in the alcohol)

Sometimes you’ll see it spelled and pronounced “nei jing” rather than “nei jin”. To me, this
just confuses the matter. The Nei Jing is a classic Chinese medicine text that forms the basis
of acupuncture. It’s a great book, but it’s not what we’re talking about here.

The modern spelling for 勁, as I understand it, should be “jin” not “jing”.  Nevertheless,
many people still use the spelling “jing”, correct or not.

What It Means
The translation can also get confusing.  Typically, you’ll see the term nei jin translated as one
of the following:

 internal power
 internal force
 internal strength

I think all three of these are reasonable translations.

Honestly, it’s difficult to translate the concept. None of these translations fully captures the
meaning of nei jin, and each one also brings several other connotations. So each translation
has its advantages and disadvantages.

Many teachers use the term internal force. I myself used this term for years. But recently,
I decided to use the term internal strength instead. Here’s why.

“Force” is a tricky word, Star Wars connotations aside.

You can’t force internal force. It’s not brute force (otherwise we would call it exactly that).
It’s something much softer and more subtle.

The concept of nei jin is intimately tied to the concept of sōng (鬆), which means “be loose
and soft”.  So the word “force” can be problematic in English.

Don’t Use the Force, Luke

Then there’s the Star Wars issue.

Look, I love Star Wars too.  But as a lifelong professional in the field of mind-body medicine,
I can assure you that the word “force” is not helping to legitimize these arts!

The word “strength” also has problems, but I think it is less problematic. It can have a
physical connotation, but when we put “internal” in front of it, then that makes it clear that
we’re talking about something different than normal strength.

I also like the word “strength” because it has positive connotations. You want to be
physically, mentally, and emotionally strong, right? I certainly do.

So that’s why I use the term internal strength rather than internal force.

What It Isn’t
Now let’s talk about what internal strength isn’t. This will help us to narrow down the
definition.  It will also give me time to stall since I’m so bad at defining things.

1. It isn’t mystical or magical.  It’s not a super power, despite my earlier joke.  Now don’t
get me wrong — some feats of internal strength sound downright amazing, but I still believe
that they can be explained by natural laws.
2. It isn’t easy. The problem is that developing internal strength requires years of highly
specific training.  In fact, many masters think it takes 30 years to be able to manifest internal
strength.  That’s a long time!

3. It isn’t common.  Masters in the East typically don’t display their internal strength
publicly.  Even disciples might have to wait years for a demonstration.  In my experience,
most (but not all) of the displays of internal strength that you see on YouTube are just tricks.  
Real displays are incredibly uncommon.

4. It isn’t dependent on age, gender, or size.  And this part is pretty awesome, if you ask
me.  One of the most powerful masters in the history of China was an elderly nun named Ng
Mui.  Men twice her size and half her age were scared of her. And rightly so.  By all
accounts, she was a powerhouse.

5. It isn’t a myth. I empathize with martial artists who have given up on the concept of
internal strength.  After all, it’s so hard to find.  But just because something is hard to find
doesn’t mean it’s fake.  There are plenty of bogus masters out there, and lots of terrible
information on the internet.  But internal strength is real.  (See below for more on that.)

What It Is
So what is it? Here’s where I start to stumble with my words.

I’ll let you read what some other masters say about internal strength:

Master Waysun Liao describes it as follows:

a high-frequency vibration controlled by the mind and integrated by mind/body coordination

into an ultra-fast wave-like unit.

Hm. Because I have internal strength, I understand what he’s talking about. Do you?
(Seriously, I’m curious to hear your feedback below.)

Master Bruce Frantzis describes it as follows:

…a specific form of [qi] that integrates all the various energies of the body into one unified
[qi] that can manifest physical power.

So how do I define it? Here’s my best shot. Let me know if it make sense to you.

Internal strength is a different way of utilizing strength in the human body. After years
of practicing specialized exercises, the entire body becomes connected and charged with
qi (energy). As a result, regardless of their age, size, or gender, the person can manifest
uncommon levels of strength. This power can manifest as a punch, a kick, a throw, or a
push.  Perhaps more importantly, it can also manifest as mental, emotional, or even
spiritual fortitude.

How It Works
You can always count on me to be honest with you when I don’t know the answer to
something. And in this case, I honestly don’t know how internal strength works. I have a
few theories, but no conclusions yet. If you have any theories, please add them below in the
comments.

Strength itself is not fully understood in the world of science. For example, the world
record for a dead lift is under 800lbs. And yet, all over the world there are stories of people
lifting (and holding) over 1000lbs in order to rescue a child. This is a well-documented
phenomenon called hysterical strength.

If you’re thinking adrenaline, you’re only partially right. Yes, hysterical strength involves
adrenaline, but that doesn’t fully explain the phenomenon. Adrenaline helps, but not that
much. And there’s plenty of adrenaline flowing when you’re trying to set an Olympic record.

Modern theories about strength talk a lot about the fascia. Some scientists think that the
fascia acts like a pulley in the body. Some modern theories even suggest that everything we
think we know about muscles is wrong, and that fascia is the real source of strength in the
human body. (Fascia is the connecting tissue that runs in huge sheaths throughout the body,
wrapping the muscles and the organs.)

Until science figures out what strength is all about, I don’t think we’re going to fully
understand internal strength. 

I certainly think it’s possible that internal strength does something to enhance the functioning
of the fascia. How that works, I’m not sure. But it’s a plausible explanation

Luckily, we don’t need to know how it works to know that it works. If you’ve read this far,
then here’s a treat for you. This  video shows me, along with a bunch of my classmates,
breaking bricks using internal strength.

The goal was to break only the bottom of 2 bricks. But as you’ll see, even when my
colleagues “missed”, they still did some nice breaks.

We may not be like the masters of old, but clearly there’s something uncommon going on in
this video.  Give us another 20 years of training, and it will be interesting to see what we can
do!

If the subject of internal strength interests you, then I’ll write another article. I can give
examples of internal strength — some that I’ve experienced, and some that I’ve only heard
of. I can talk about the training methods. I can also talk about some of the mental, emotional,
and spiritual manifestations of internal strength (a subject that I personally am interested in.)

So what say ye, dear readers?  Shall we talk more about internal strength in the near future?

Best regards,
Sifu Anthony
Acupuncture Meridians: What Qigong Students Need to Know
Published on April 9, 2018 by Sifu Anthony Korahais

I stared at the question in my inbox, blinking for at least 10 seconds. “So ignorant!” I thought
to myself.

The question came from a sincere student, and what it revealed was not his ignorance, but my
own.

Here’s the question:

Dear Sifu Anthony,

How can I balance my meridians and remove blockages? Or how can I keep them flowing
and strengthen them? Do they self balance and clear with daily qigong practice? Thank you
for your time in advance! It is appreciated.

-Joshua

Let me be clear: I know the answer to Joshua’s question. That’s not the ignorance I’m talking
about.

Ignorance can mean a lack of knowledge or information, but it also means a lack of
awareness.

In my case, I don’t lack the knowledge or information to answer the questions above. But I
did lack the proper AWARENESS.

As a teacher, it’s my job to be constantly aware of what qigong looks like through the
eyes of my students, including fresh beginners.

That’s not always easy. Like most teachers, I’ve been doing this for a long, long time.
Decades. Maybe lifetimes.

I’ve studied with masters from all over the world, read hundreds of books, practiced for
thousands of hours, and I even went to acupuncture college to deepen my understanding.

And yet, as I read Joshua’s email, I saw my own ignorance, my own lack of awareness.

Concepts like “meridians,” “energy,” and “blockages” are still completely foreign to
most people. It’s MY job as a teacher to make those concepts clearer.

And that’s what I’m going to do in this post.

What Are Meridians?
Let’s start with the word “meridian”. This word is widely used in acupuncture, qigong,
Chinese herbal medicine, and tui na (Chinese massage therapy).

Unfortunately, the word “meridian” is a poor translation from the Chinese word:

經 絡 (jīngluò)

The simple translation is “channel”, like a channel that water runs through. In this case, it’s
qi, or vital energy, that flows through the channels.

But there’s an additional connotation here.The 2nd character, 絡, means “net-like”. So the
jingluo are a net-like series of channels through which qi flows.

Think of a highway system, with big Interstate highways and smaller roads, all forming
a complex network. Except that instead of cars, it’s qi that flows along the network.

Note: Even though the word “channel” is a better translation, I’m going to continue to use
the word “meridian” because it is already in common usage. Hell, even Google translates
the Chinese word to “meridian”. I’m too busy with my teaching to pick a fight with Google
right now!

What is Qi?
I mentioned that your meridians are a net-like series of channels through which qi flows.

But what is qi?

Qi is THE central theme in qigong, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. It’s also
central in feng shui and tai chi chuan.

I’ve written about this in the past (for example here and here), but let’s keep things simple.

Qi is your life energy or life force.

Whether that’s the energy that moves food through your digestive system, or the energy that
mobilizes your immune system, or the energy that powers your cells — all of that is qi.

Qi is also information — like data running through an internet network. For example, the
information that signals the production of a hormone, or that tells certain genes to turn on or
off — that is also qi.

This is the “substance” that flows through your meridians.

How Does Qi Flow?

 Most of the classics talk about a “flow” of qi. A common
analogy is to compare it to the flow of water.

In fact, some of the Chinese Medicine classics compare the flow

of qi to water flowing from bubbling springs, streams, rivers,
seas, or oceans.

It’s important to remember that the concept of qi is ANCIENT.

It’s thousands of years old.

Back then, they didn’t know about protons, neutrons, or electrons. They had no electric
lights, no electric cables, and (gasp!) no WiFi.

In the 21st century, it’s natural to think of qi as a form of energy, like a current running
through a wire.

And that’s fine as long as we remember that the ancient masters didn’t have this
paradigm. They had a close connection with nature, so that was where they looked for
analogies. And I think that these analogies still work today as long as you don’t take them too
literally.

Where are the Meridians?

Speaking of taking things too literally, skeptics love to point out that the meridians can’t be
found and therefore don’t exist.

It’s true that if you dissect your leg (please don’t do this), you won’t see any acupuncture
meridians. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Don’t let 21st-century hubris block you from benefitting from this ancient wisdom. Just
because we haven’t understood something yet doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Open-minded researchers are doing interesting studies into the meridians, and I believe that
the next 10-20 years will confirm their existence.

For example, this study looked at wave-induced flows in the meridians. This is a bit obtuse,
but the study concluded: “that the strong light propagation and optical properties along the
meridian channel comprised a histological structure correlated with interstitial fluids.”

And this study tried to document a new micro-circulatory system that corresponds to classical
acupuncture meridians.

Not convinced?

What would you say if I told you that researchers just recently discovered a whole new
organ in the human body?

It’s true. In this new study, researchers discovered not only what they think is a new organ,
but the largest organ in the body!

The new organ, the interstitium, contains tiny fluid-filled structures that can be found just
about everywhere in the body.

Will this discovery eventually lead to a deeper understanding of the Chinese meridian
system? Who knows, but it’s definitely an exciting time to be alive!

How Were Meridians Discovered?

This raises an important question: How did ancient masters discover the meridians?

After all, they didn’t have microscopes or high-tech equipment. How could they possibly
have known about such a complex, invisible network in the human body?

Years ago, I taught qigong at an acupuncture college. I had both students and professors in
my classes.

After practicing qigong for about a year, one of the professors had an epiphany.

“I can feel my Gallbladder Meridian!” she said excitedly.

The same thing sometimes happens in acupuncture. I’ve seen patients talk about a strong
sensation running down an arm or a leg. If you ask them to trace the sensation, they’ll trace
the meridian almost exactly! How cool!

In qigong, feeling acupuncture points along the meridians is quite easy. Most of my students
can start to feel this within 1-2 years of practice, especially my Qigong 101 students.
For example, acu-points like laogong (P 8) in the palm, baihui (GV 20) at the top of the head,
or hegu (LI 4) in the web of hand — all of these points are can be felt even by beginners.

At more advanced levels, techniques like the Small Universe Qigong give you a clear and
obvious perception of acupuncture meridians.

Back to the question about how the meridians were discovered: I believe that ancient mystics
began to perceive the flow of energy in their own body. It’s likely that they transmitted their
discoveries through oral traditions, and eventually through writing.

Creating Harmony and Clearing Blockages

Let’s come back to Joshua’s questions. His original email contains 3 related questions:

1. How can I balance my meridians?

2. How can I remove blockages in my meridians?
3. How can I strengthen my meridians?

If we’re talking about Acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Medicine, then the answer is simple:
leave all of this to your physician. In other words, don’t try to self-diagnose what your
meridians might need. (That’s a subject for a future blog post.)

But qigong is a self-healing art, especially the category called Medical Qigong. With the
right qigong method, you can heal yourself, even without a proper diagnosis.

Notice that I said “with the right method”, not “with the right exercises.”

My students are always asking me which exercise they should practice for _____ problem.
I’ve written about this in depth (click here to read more), but the takeaway is the same.

To balance, strengthen, and clear your meridians, you should practice the following routine:

1. Entering Zen
2. Smiling from the Heart
3. Lifting The Sky
4. Pushing Mountains
5. Carrying the Moon
6. Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow
7. Flowing Stillness
8. Washing the Face with Both Hands
9. Combing the Hair with the Fingers
10. Massaging the Vital Points
11. Rubbing Two Coins
12. 24 Heavenly Drums

The above routine will simultaneously balance, strengthen, and clear all of your meridians. (I
teach this exact routine, and much more, in my Qigong 101 program.)
Because of the way this routine is organized, you don’t need a diagnosis, and you don’t need
to worry about which meridians are blocked, weak, or unbalanced.

But you do need to practice diligently!

The 12 Dimensions
Does that mean you only need
the above routine to heal
anything and everything?

No. It doesn’t.

In the world of qigong, there

are many different styles and
methods, but there are only 12
different things that you can do
with your qi.

In my teachings, I call these the

12 Dimensions of Qi Mastery.
(Click here to read more about
the 12 Dimensions.)

Different teachers may use different names, but when you boil everything down, the skills are
the same.

The routine I listed above focuses on the first 4 of the 12 Dimensions:

1. Discovering the Qi
2. Circulating the Qi
3. Aligning the Qi
4. Gathering the Qi

I call these The 4 Pillars of qigong because they form a stable foundation for any holistic
qigong practice. If you don’t have this foundation, then advanced qigong skills will continue
to elude you.

The 8 remaining skills are:

5. Protecting the Qi
6. Purifying the Qi
7. Mobilizing the Qi
8. Directing the Qi
9. Consolidating the Qi
10. Transforming the Qi
11. Unifying the Qi
12. Transmitting the Qi
As you become more skillful in qigong, you can use more advanced skills to continue
balancing, strengthening, and clearing your meridians.

For example:

1. To balance the meridians, you can use: Circulating the Qi (#2), Aligning the Qi (#4),
and Mobilizing the Qi (#7).
2. To remove blockages, you can use: Purifying the Qi (#6) and Protecting the Qi (#5).
3. To strengthen your meridians, you can use: Gathering the Qi (#4), Consolidating the
Qi (#9), and Transforming the Qi (#10).

In other words, focus on learning and mastering the 12 Dimensions and you will have ways
to balance, clear, and strengthen your meridians for the rest of your life!

(Read more about the 12 Dimensions here, here, and here.)

Remember that these are skills, not techniques. The techniques may differ from teacher to
teacher, but the underlying skills are the same.

Want to Learn More About Meridians?

I hope you found this article helpful. As always, if you have questions, post them below.

If you’d like me to write more on the subject of meridians, then please let me know in
the comments below.

Honestly, I only scratched the surface here. I didn’t talk about the 12 Primary Meridians, the
8 Extraordinary Meridians, or the Yin and Yang Organs.

There is a ton of Chinese Medicine theory and philosophy that I can write about, but I need to
know if you’re interested in this stuff! So whadaya say? Are you interested?

[Edit: Y’all asked for more on the subject, so I wrote another article, which you can read
here.]

Best regards,
Sifu Anthony

Qigong Students: Here’s How to Make Sense of the Meridians

Published on June 4, 2018 by Sifu Anthony Korahais

https://www.bing.com/search?
form=MOZTSB&pc=MOZI&q=how+to+remember+the+qi+meridians
“You don’t find all this history and theory stuff painfully boring?” I asked.

The year was 2012, and I had just finished a lecture on Chinese Medicine theory in my brick-
and-mortar studio. In order to make sense of the theory, I also had to teach some history.

“Not even a little bit,” she said.

This surprised me. For years, I had assumed that students weren’t interested in esoteric
Eastern theories, and that they DEFINITELY weren’t interested in history.

I mean, I LOVE both the history and theory aspect of qigong, but I’m an outlier. Or am I?

In a previous article about the acupuncture meridians, I asked my readers if they wanted to
learn more. The answer was loud and clear: YES!!

Apparently, I’m not an outlier. Thousands of you enjoy learning about history and theory,
just like I do.

So my fellow nerds…shall we get this party started?

The Qigong Meridians?!?

In my previous article, I used the term Acupuncture Meridians, but not because it’s correct. I
used it so people would have some clue what I’m talking about!
If I used the term “Qigong Meridians”, many people would be confused, especially people
who are more familiar with acupuncture.

Actually, both terms — Qigong Meridians and Acupuncture Meridians — are equally
INCORRECT.

As I’ve said, the Chinese term is jingluo (經 絡, pronounced jing-low), which translates to
“channel”.

But here’s what you need to understand. For thousands of years, the meridian system
has been shared by MANY Chinese arts, including:

 qigong (click here if you’re new to qigong)

 acupuncture (the use of sterile needles to stimulate the flow of qi via acu-points)
 acupressure (same as acupuncture, but uses fingers instead of needles)
 moxibustion (the burning of the mugwort herb on acupuncture points to promote
healing)
 Chinese herbal medicine (the use of oral herbal decoctions and tonics)
 kung fu (Chinese martial arts, including tai chi)
 shiliao (Chinese food therapy)
 Taoist bedroom arts (Chinese sexual practices that promote longevity)
 tuina (Chinese massage therapy)
 die da (Chinese traumatology for bruises and breaks)

In other words, we could just as easily use the term Qigong Meridians, Acupressure
Meridians, or Tai Chi Meridians. All of these terms are equally inaccurate.

Needling and Moxibustion

It gets worse! The term acupuncture meridian is actually a
DOUBLE misnomer!

Not only is the term “meridian” a poor translation of jingluo,

but the term “acupuncture” is just utter Western nonsense!

The Chinese term for acupuncture is: zhenjiu (針灸,

pronounced jun-geo)

Zhen (針) means needle, and jiu (灸) means moxibustion (see above). So zhenjiu literally
translates to “needling and moxibustion”.

I know what you’re thinking: Where the hell did the word “acupuncture” come from?

It’s a good question. The term “acu” comes from the latin for “needle”. So they got that part
right.

But “puncture”? Where did that come from, and who thought that this was a good idea?

Talk about bad PR! I can’t think of a worse word to scare off confused Westerners.
Unfortunately, the word stuck (pun definitely intended). Not only that, but the term
“acupuncture”has become an umbrella that refers to several branches of Chinese Medicine,
not just acupuncture.

For example, most acupuncturists today also practice Chinese herbal medicine. Traditionally,
these were two separate arts. But today, they often all under the same moniker of
“acupuncture”.

The Influence of Chinese Medicine

Here’s a simple way to make sense of all this: It’s all Chinese Medicine!

Qigong, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, tuina — these are all branches of
Chinese Medicine.

By Chinese Medicine, I’m referring to the 5000-year old system that originated in what we
now call China.

The traditional term is zhongyi (中醫, pronounced jawng yee) which translates nicely to
“Chinese Medicine”. This ancient medicine not only influenced all of the Chinese arts that I
listed above, but also influence arts in much of Asia.

Here are some examples of non-Chinese arts that were heavily influenced by Chinese
Medicine:

 The Bubishi, an ancient Japanese manual that is often called “The Bible of Karate”
 Korean Acupuncture, which focuses more on the hand (and traditionally uses copper
needles, but now uses sterile, single-use needles)
 Japanese Acupuncture, which often uses extremely thin needles, and sometimes
uses needles without even breaking the skin (see, no puncturing!)
 Shiatsu, a form of Japanese bodywork that uses the principles of Chinese Medicine
 Reiki, a form of energy medicine that involves transmitting ki (or qi) for healing

In other words, Chinese Medicine is everywhere! Today, it’s not just in Asia, but all over the
world.

Jingmai vs. Luomai

Enough history. Now that it’s clear that we’re really talking about Chinese Medicine rather
than just qigong or acupuncture, let’s dive into some theory.

The meridians are divided into 2 main categories: the jingmai (經脈, pronounced jing-my)
and the luomai (絡脈, pronounced low-my).

The jingmai consist of:

1. The 12 Primary Meridians

2. The 8 Extraordinary Vessels
3. The 12 Divergent Meridians
The luomai consist of:

1. The 15 Connecting Collaterals

2. The Muscular Collaterals
3. The Superficial Collaterals

In qigong, we’re mainly concerned with the 12 Primary Meridians and the 8 Extraordinary
Meridians, which is why I put them in boldface.

The 12 Primary Meridians

According to ancient Chinese Medicine theory, you have 12 Primary Meridians (十二经脉),
as follows:

1. Taiyin Lung Channel of the Hand (手太阴肺经)

2. Shaoyin Heart Channel of the Hand (手少阴心经)
3. Jueyin Pericardium Channel of the Hand (手厥阴心包经)
4. Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel of the Hand (手少阳三焦经)
5. Taiyang Small Intestine Channel of the Hand (手太阳小肠经)
6. Yangming Large Intestine Channel of the Hand (手阳明大肠经)
7. Taiyin Spleen Channel of the Foot (足太阴脾经)
8. Shaoyin Kidney Channel of the Foot (足少阴肾经)
9. Jueyin Liver Channel of the Foot (足厥阴肝经)
10. Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel of the Foot (足少阳胆经)
11. Taiyang Bladder Channel of  the Foot (足太阳膀胱经)
12. Yangming Stomach Channel of  the Foot (足阳明胃经)

You’ll notice that each meridian is associated with an internal organ.

You don’t need to memorize the 12 meridians (unless you’re an acupuncturist, duh), but if
you take away once concept from this article, it should be this one:

The meridian is NOT the organ.

It’s tempting to the Western mind to hear “Heart Meridian” and just think of the physical
organ that we know of as the heart.

That’s a mistake, and if you think that way, you’ll never understand Chinese medicine.

Yin and Yang Organs

In Chinese Medicine, the organ-meridian association is called Zang-Fu (臟腑, pronounced
zahng foo).

In Zang-Fu theory, the organs fall into 2 main categories: yin and yang.

The Yin organs are:

 1. Heart
2. Liver
3. Spleen
4. Lung
5. Kidney
6. Pericardium

The Yang organs are:

1. Small Intestine
2. Large Intestine
3. Gallbladder
4. Urinary Bladder
5. Stomach
6. Sanjiao.

(Note: the Sanjiao is an organ not yet recognized by Western Medicine. However, resent
research, like this discovery of a “new organ”, is bringing Western Medicine closer and
closer to the concept of the Sanjiao.)

If you think of the Zang-Fu simply as organs, like we do in the West, then you’ll get
confused.

It’s better to think of each organ as a SYSTEM.

In Western Medicine, we have systems like the Circulatory System, the Endocrine System,
the Nervous System, etc.

But in Chinese Medicine, the systems are different. For example, instead of the Circulatory
System, we have the Heart Meridian. (This analogy only goes so far, so please don’t get
carried away with it. They are not identical systems.)

The Circulatory System involves more than just the physical heart, and the same is true of the
Heart Meridian.

Pale And Tan, Yin and Yang

Yin Meridians run down the more yin part of your arm.

That makes perfect sense. But what part of your arm is more yin? Here’s an easy way to
figure this out:

 The tanner parts of your body are more yang

 The paler parts of your body are more yin

For example, the palm and the inner forearm are less than than the back of the hand and the
back of the forearm.

The same is true of the legs. The inner thighs are paler than the outer thighs.
This will simplify things when trying to understand where the meridians are located (see
below).

Where are the 12 Primary Meridians?

If you’re in acupuncture college, then you’ll need to memorize all of the meridians (not to
mention the points along them.)

Luckily, this isn’t necessary for most people, and it’s definitely not necessary for qigong
students.

Nevertheless, it’s good to have SOME idea about the meridians. Here’s a super simple
explanation:

(Note: all of these meridians are bilateral, which means that they are located on both sides of
your body.)

1. The Lung Meridian runs from your chest, down the inside (yin and pale) part of the
arm, and ends at the tip of your thumb.
2. The Heart Meridian starts in your chest and runs down the inside (yin and
pale) part of the arm to your pinky finger.
3. The Pericardium Meridian runs from your chest, down the inside (yin and pale) part
of the arm, and ends at the tip of your middle finger.
4. The Sanjiao Meridian starts at the tip of your ring finger and runs up the outside
(yang and tan) part of the arm, around the shoulder, and ends above the ear.
5. The Small Intestine Meridian starts at the the tip of your pinky, runs up the outside
(yang and tan) part of the arm, and ends near the entrance to the ear canal.
6. The Large Intestine Meridian starts in the tip of the index finger, runs up the outside
(yang and tan) part of the arm, and ends next to your nostril.
7. The Spleen Meridian starts at your big toe, runs up inside (yin and pale) part of your
leg, up the torso, and ends near the front of your shoulder.
8. The Kidney Meridian starts at the bottom of the foot, runs up inside (yin and pale)
part of your leg, up the belly, and ends near the clavicle.
9. The Liver Meridian starts at the tip of your 2nd toe, runs up inside (yin and pale) part
of your leg, and ends on the front of the torso.
10. The Gallbladder Meridian runs from the outer corner of your eye, down the side of
your head, down your body, down the outside (yang and tan) part of your leg, and
ends in the 4th toe.
11. The Bladder Meridian starts at the inner corner of your eye, runs up the head, all the
way down the back, down the outside (yang and tan) part of the leg, and ends in the
pinky toe.
12. The Stomach Meridian runs from just below your eye, down your torso, down the
outer front (yang and tan) part of your leg, and ends in the 2nd toe.

And here’s a helpful image if you want to geek out on the meridians. Click the image to
enlarge it.
Whew! And that’s just an overview. Now, do you see why acupuncture college requires 4
years and thousands of hours of training?

The 8 Extraordinary Meridians

You also have what are known as the 8 Extraordinary Vessels (奇經八脈):

1. Conception Vessel (Ren Mai, 任脈)

2. Governing Vessel (Du Mai, 督脈)
3. Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai, 衝脈)
4. Girdle Vessel (Dai Mai, 帶脈)
5. Yin Linking vessel (Yin Wei Mai, 陰維脈)
6. Yang Linking vessel (Yang Wei Mai,陽維脈)
7. Yin Heel Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai, 陰蹻脈)
8. Yang Heel Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai, 
陽蹻脈)

The Ren Mai and Du Mai are the two that

we’re most interested in.

The Ren Main runs from your chin down to

your perineum, and the Du Mai runs from
your perineum, up your spine, over the top of
your head, to your upper lip.
If you’ve ever wondered why many teachers tell you to lift the tongue to the upper palate
while practicing qigong, it’s to connect these 2 meridians. (Here’s an entire article about
whether or not you should lift the tongue in qigong.)

When you connect these two meridians and direct lots of qi into them, you get what is
sometimes known as the Small Universe, also called the Small Heavenly Circuit or
Microcosmic Orbit.

I like the idea of a circuit because that’s what it is. It’s a powerful energetic connection.

This connection is HUGELY important for martial artists. In fact, I would go so far as to say
that the reason most people in the 21st century have little internal power (neijin, read more
here) compared to past masters is simply because they don’t have the Small Universe.

Let me be clear that many people PRACTICE the Small Universe, often for years or even
decades, but they don’t HAVE it.

And the main reason they don’t have it is because they haven’t spent enough time with more
fundamental techniques.

I’ve written several articles about the Small Universe, which you can read here:

  The Real Truth About the Small Universe Qigong;

  7 Secrets of the Small Universe Qigong.

What are Acupuncture Points?

We can’t talk about meridian theory without also talking about the “points”.

Some people believe that there are over 2000 different points. Modern students of
acupuncture typically learn 300-400 points.

In 1992, The World Health Organization (WHO) developed A Proposed Standard

International Acupuncture Nomenclature Report, which identifies 361 acupuncture points.
But what are acupuncture points?

As I’m sure you will have guessed by now, the term “acupuncture points” is no bueno. Not
only are they used outside of acupuncture, but they aren’t even points!

For example, my qigong students often feel a tennis-ball-sized vortex of energy at laogong
(勞宮), which is located in the center of the palm.

In other words, they feel not a tiny point of energy, but a vortex. And this happens in
qigong, not acupuncture.

Actually, vortex is a good word because it gives us a better idea of what acupuncture points
really are.

In Chinese, the two most common terms are:

 xuewei (穴位)
 shuxue (腧穴)

Those words give us the idea of a cavity or depression where “movement” takes place.

What kind of movement takes place in these depressions?? The movement of qi, of course!

Summing Up
Whew! We covered a ton of ground in just one post! Anyone ready for recess?

Remember, you do NOT need to memorize this information in order to have a healthy,
thriving qigong practice.

Here are the things that I hope you take away from this post:

1. Chinese medicine has many branches, including acupuncture and qigong

2. The 12 Primary Meridians are important (but not worth memorizing)
3. Two of the 8 Extraordinary Meridians are important (especially for advanced qigong
students)
4. The Meridian is a system, not just an organ.
5. Acupuncture points are not tiny points, and aren’t just for acupuncture

I hope this post helped you to better understand the meridians and how they relate to your
qigong practice, even if it’s just food for thought.

Many of my students enjoy having a better working knowledge of Chinese Medicine theory,
and our Facebook group has become a great place to discuss these topics. Why not join us
over there! It’s free!

You can also post your questions and comments below.

And as always, if you think that this post will help someone, then please click the share
buttons below.

Best regards,
Sifu Anthony

I’m Anthony Korahais, and I used qigong to heal from clinical

depression, low back pain, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. I’ve already
taught thousands of people from all over the world how to use qigong for
their own stubborn health challenges. As the director of Flowing Zen, I'm
fully committed to helping people with these arts. In addition to my blog,
I also teach online courses and offer in-person retreats and workshops.

Why Qigong Students Should Stop Lifting

The Tongue
Published on January 24, 2017 by Sifu Anthony Korahais

“Should I lift the tip of my tongue to the roof of my mouth?” Gina asked.

“Why would you do that?” I asked.

“Because that’s what I learned from another qigong teacher,” she said.

“Yes, but WHY?” I asked. “Why did she tell you to do it, and why are you doing it now?”

Gina stared at me, blinking.

“I just thought that’s what you’re supposed to do in qigong,” she said.

I see this all the time with students. There’s a ton of confusion about the tongue in qigong.
(Hey, that rhymes!)

In this article, I’ll explain why some qigong teachers tell you to lift the tongue.

I’ll also make a strong argument for why you might want to stop.

Asking Questions: A Modern Innovation

A Q&A session at our retreat center in Costa Rica

When I teach, I not only allow students to ask questions, but encourage them to do so.

Like most modern educators, I know that this is an essential part of good teaching.

But that’s not the traditional way of teaching qigong. Not even close.
Throughout most of the history of qigong and tai chi, students probably asked very few
questions.

Here’s why.

Let’s imagine that a student is learning qigong in China roughly 200 years ago.

And let’s imagine that the Sifu (or teacher) tells the student to lift the tip of the tongue to
touch the roof of her mouth.

“Sifu, why do we lift the tongue like this?” the student asks.

The student would probably receive one of the following answers from her Sifu:

1. “Because I said so!”

2. Silence, followed by a lightning-fast whack from the Sifu’s walking stick.

To the modern teacher, this probably seems like terrible pedagogy. And it certainly would be
today in the West.

But we shouldn’t be so quick to judge masters who taught like this.

Past masters in China wanted to encourage their students to answer their own questions
through practice, rather than through intellectualization.

They were also teaching in a totally different setting — one where secrecy was the norm, and
the goals of practice were significantly different.

As times changed, so did the way that questions were asked and answered.

A 20th Century Answer
As qigong and tai chi migrated to the West, traditional teachers quickly realized that they
couldn’t teach the old way.

So they did what humans do best: they adapted.

For example, let’s imagine a student learning qigong in the US in the 1970s.

And let’s imagine that, just like the example above, the Sifu tells her to lift the tip of the
tongue to touch the roof of her mouth.

“Sifu, why do we lift the tongue like this?” the student asks.

Since the Sifu can’t give the student a good whack for an answer, and since “because I said
so,” probably wouldn’t cut it either, she opts for a curt answer instead:

“Because it connects the ren mai and du mai,” she responds. Then she walks away,
preventing further questions.
A 21st Century Answer
Now let’s imagine a modern, 21st century student learning from a Western teacher.

And let’s imagine that, just like the 2 examples above, the Sifu tells her to lift the tip of the
tongue to touch the roof of her mouth.

“Sifu, why do we lift the tongue like this?” the student asks.

This time, the Sifu responds as follows:

“Lifting the tongue to the roof of the mouth connects the Ren Mai  (which runs from the chin
down the centerline to the perineum) to the Du Mai (which runs from the perineum up the
centerline of the back, around the head, and down to the upper lip), which is one of the steps
toward  opening an energy circuit called the Small Universe, sometimes called the
Microcosmic Orbit, or Xiao Zhou Tian in Chinese.”

That’s a pretty thorough answer! But is it helpful?

Meh. Not really.

It’s interesting enough, and it will probably satisfy the Western mind.

But what we really need is a follow-up question.

For example:

“Sifu, why am I practicing the Small Universe?”

Now we’re getting somewhere!

Why Practice the Small Universe?

The Small Universe (小周天) is one of the oldest qigong techniques known.

A text dating back to 300 B.C. called The Circulating Qi Inscription (Xing Qi Ming, 行氣銘)
describes the technique almost exactly the way it is practiced today.

But what is it, and why would anyone want to practice it?

It’s a powerful qigong method that transforms and “mixes” the energies of the human
body in a way that is exceedingly useful for both martial artists and spiritualists.

For martial artists, the Small Universe will give you more power and more stamina.

For spiritualists, the Small Universe will help to refine your energy in a way that will make
spiritual experiences more frequent and more intense.
Sounds good, right?

Not so fast.

The Small Universe isn’t just ancient; it’s also advanced.

In addition to asking WHY we should practice the Small Universe, we should also be asking
WHEN.

When Should We Learn the Small

Universe?
Some schools of qigong teach the Small Universe early, even to relative beginners.

This baffles me. For the life of me, I can’t find a good reason to do this.

Meanwhile, I can find many reasons NOT to do it.

As I said, the Small Universe is an advanced technique.

It requires a combination of many different advanced qigong skills, like directing the qi,
consolidating the qi, and purifying the qi. (Click here to read more about the 12 main qigong
skills.)

If you practice the techniques of the Small Universe too early in your qigong development,
you won’t have the skill to get the benefits from this powerful method.

What’s worse, you might even hurt yourself.

Years ago, I wrote about about the dangers of practicing the Small Universe without proper
training.

To this day, I still receive emails from students who attempted the Small Universe, and hurt
themselves doing so.

Luckily, the damage is reversible with remedial qigong techniques. But why take such a risk
in the first place?

[Edit: simply lifting the tongue doesn’t count as practicing the Small Universe, so it doesn’t
carry the same risk. But there are other problems with lifting the tongue, as I explain below.]

Is the Small Universe Necessary?

You can’t master the art of qigong without practicing the Small Universe.

But many students mistakenly think that the Small Universe is necessary for healing.
This is totally untrue.

As I said, the Small Universe is great for martial artists and spiritualists.

But when it comes to healing pain and illness, there are options that are both safer and more
efficient than the Small Universe.

In fact, there is an entire category of qigong dedicated to healing pain and illness.

It’s called — big surprise — Medical Qigong!

Choose the Right Type of Qigong

A medical qigong exercise called Plucking Stars that is great for digestive problems because
it nourishes the Spleen and Stomach Channels

Remember Gina from the beginning of this post?

She assumed that qigong was just qigong, and that you always lift the tongue.

But Qigong is actually a modern, umbrella term for many different types of qi cultivation.

All styles of qigong trace back to China, and all share a the concept of qi, but
HOW they go about cultivating that qi is different.

And their goals are different too.

There are 5 different types, or categories, of qigong:

1. Medical Qigong
2. Vitality (or Longevity) Qigong
3. Scholarly (or Intellectual) Qigong
4. Martial Qigong
5. Spiritual Qigong

Each category also tells you its main goal:

 Medical Qigong aims to heal pain and illness.

 Vitality Qigong aims to keep you healthy and full of vitality for a long time.
 Scholarly Qigong aims to improve memory, concentration, and creativity.
 Martial Qigong aims to improve power and performance in martial arts.
 Spiritual Qigong aims to cultivate the mind and the spirit.

Here’s something that many people don’t understand:

Most of the qigong taught within the tai chi tradition is Martial Qigong!

This isn’t surprising because tai chi is a martial art. (If you didn’t know this, then click here
to watch a quick video and learn more.)
Now we can see why so many students are taught to lift the tongue — because they
learned within the context of tai chi.

In other words, they learned Martial Qigong.

And the Small Universe is a major part of most types of Martial Qigong.

The 12 Primary Channels
A modern model used by acupuncturists that shows the 12 Primary Channels and their
corresponding acu-points

Medical Qigong is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), making it a cousin of

acupuncture.

According to TCM theory, you have 12 Primary Channels:

1. Taiyin Lung Channel of the Hand (手太阴肺经)

2. Shaoyin Heart Channel of the Hand (手少阴心经)
3. Jueyin Pericardium Channel of the Hand (手厥阴心包经)
4. Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel of the Hand (手少阳三焦经)
5. Taiyang Small Intestine Channel of the Hand (手太阳小肠经)
6. Yangming Large Intestine Channel of the Hand (手阳明大肠经)
7. Taiyin Spleen Channel of the Foot (足太阴脾经)
8. Shaoyin Kidney Channel of the Foot (足少阴肾经)
9. Jueyin Liver Channel of the Foot (足厥阴肝经)
10. Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel of the Foot (足少阳胆经)
11. Taiyang Bladder Channel of  the Foot (足太阳膀胱经)
12. Yangming Stomach Channel of  the Foot (足阳明胃经)

Some of those may be confusing, but I’m sure you noticed that there are some pretty
important organs listed in there.

You also have what are known as the 8 Extraordinary Vessels:

1. Conception Vessel (Ren Mai, 任脈)

2. Governing Vessel (Du Mai, 督脈)
3. Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai, 衝脈)
4. Girdle Vessel (Dai Mai, 帶脈)
5. Yin Linking vessel (Yin Wei Mai, 陰維脈)
6. Yang Linking vessel (Yang Wei Mai,陽維脈)
7. Yin Heel Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai, 陰蹻脈)
8. Yang Heel Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai, 陽蹻脈)

The Small Universe deals with the first two of these vessels — the Ren Mai and Du Mai.

In other words, it ignores all of the 12 Primary Channels, and ignores 6 out of the 8
Extraordinary Vessels.
If you want to heal from pain and illness, then you should choose the right tool for the job.

Medical Qigong, which focuses on the 12 Primary Channels, is a better choice than
the Small Universe, which focuses on the Ren and Du Vessels.

What Happens if You Rush to the Small

Universe
If you jump to the techniques of the Small Universe too early, you may end up diverting
energy away from the 12 Primary Channels in order to feed the Ren and Du Vessels.

This can happen especially if you haven’t gathered enough qi into your system — something
that takes time — or if you haven’t cleared enough of the energy blockages in your system.

Even though the vessels and channels are connected, it’s a bad idea to divert energy away
from your 12 Primary Channels.

For example, the Heart Channel is considered the Emperor of the entire system.

Starving the Heart Channel of qi by diverting it to the Ren and Du Vessels could

potentially wreak havoc on your energy system.

Why take the risk?

Most people come to qigong because they have chronic pain or illness. They want to be
healthier, have more energy, and be happier.

We can accomplish all of that without the Small Universe.

Later, once you’re healthier, once you’ve spent time circulating and gathering your qi, then
you can start to learn advanced techniques like the Small Universe.

So What Should I Do With My Tongue?!?

Okay, we’ve established that you probably shouldn’t be practicing the Small Universe if
you’re a beginner who is working on chronic pain and illness.

But what if you lift the tongue when you’re NOT doing the Small Universe?

If you have tension in your tongue or your jaw — both of which are common for beginners
— then lifting the tongue can actually block the flow of qi, not only through the Small
Universe, but through all 12 channels.

Does that sound like a good idea? Nope. It’s not.

While it’s not the worst mistake in the world, you’re probably better off keeping the
tongue and the jaw relaxed.
Of course, once you start learning and practicing the Small Universe, you’ll need to start lift
your tongue. But by then, you’ll be better at releasing tension.

If you’re already learning from a Sifu who asks you to lift the tongue and you feel that you
can ask a question without being rude, then go ahead and ask why! Be polite, and give your
Sifu the benefit of the doubt, especially if they are from an Eastern culture.

And if you already have the habit of raising the tongue, then make sure there’s no extra
tension in the tongue (usually caused by pressing upward too hard), or in the jaw (usually
caused by clenching the teeth or holding the jaw rigidly).

In my qigong style, we typically breathe in gently through the nose, and out gently through
the mouth. So the exhalation naturally causes you to disconnect the tongue anyway.

If you’re using this breathing method, then gently lifting the tongue during the inhalation is
not a problem at all.

What it Feels Like

Let me be clear that I love practicing the Small Universe, and I do it often.

My hope for you is that you’ll one day experience the true power of this technique. To do
that, you need the proper training, skill, and sensitivity.

When you’re ready, when you begin to practice the Small Universe — amazing things start to
happen.

I wish I could describe the feeling when you lift the tongue to the right spot and connect the
circuits of the Ren and Du Mai.

But words fall short. I’m sorry. I can’t describe it.

I hope you’ll keep practicing so that you can experience it for yourself one day. It’s worth the
wait.

Takeaway
Lifting the tongue to the roof of the mouth is only necessary when practicing an advanced
qigong method called The Small Universe.

If you’re a beginner, then it’s better to work on relaxing the tongue and the jaw in order to
relax the entire nervous system.

If you’ve got chronic pain or illness, it’s best to focus on Medical Qigong exercises, like the
18 Luohan Hands.

If you want to learn a wonderful Medical Qigong exercise for free, click here.  
Best regards,
Sifu Anthony

The Meridians
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a meridian is a channel through which qi, or energy, and the
other fundamental substances flow. Meridians are also known as acupuncture meridians and
energy vessels.

The meridians function as a network, much like a highway system, that can be mapped out
throughout the entire body. Meridians, unlike systems of Western medicine (circulatory and
nervous systems, for example) are not physical entities.

The Twelve Standard, or Primary, Meridians, also called Principal Meridians, are divided
into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin Meridians of the arm are lung, heart, and pericardium.
The Yang Meridians of the arm are large intestine, small intestine, and triple burner. The Yin
Meridians of the leg are spleen, kidney, and liver. The Yang Meridians of the leg are
stomach, bladder, and gall bladder.

As well as the Twelve Standard Meridians, there are also Eight Extraordinary Vessels that
connect the Twelve Standard Meridians and Twelve Divergent or Distinct Meridians, which
are are responsible for connecting the wei (defensive) and yuan (parental) qi.

Below is a chart depicting the meridians with acupressure points. The codes at the bottom of
the chart explain how, in Chinese medicine, yin and yang are relevant, and the Five Elements
are also referred to when looking at the human body as one with the universe.  Chinese
medicine finds where there is in-balance within in the human body.  These in-balances are
then treated naturally to restore harmony and health.
Chart by: By KVDP - Own work, Public Domain,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8989443

A Simpler View of the 12 Primary Meridians

from Drake Inner Prizes.com
A Guide to the 12 Major Meridians of the Body

The Energetic Body

An Overview

The meridian system is a key concept of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but ancient
understandings of the energetic body are shared by many countries in Southeast Asia. It is
believed that energy—also called the life force, prana, or qi (chi)—flows throughout the body
in the same way that blood does. When this energy becomes blocked or disproportionate,
adverse symptoms and disease may occur. The goal of Eastern medicine is to optimize the
circulation and balance of qi through methods of energy healing such as qigong. These
practices are believed to prevent and cure disease, regulate metabolism, and support cellular
health.

The meridian system can be understood by imagining three nesting tiers:

Energy

Qi is considered the vital force of any living being. It is always present in our bodies, but its
delicate balance and fluidity are essential for growth, recovery, and general health. Balancing
qi means not only distributing energy evenly throughout the body but also achieving a
balance of yin and yang energy. These two types of energy are opposite yet complementary
and interdependent. Each bodily function uses both energies simultaneously. In TCM, good
health is built on the harmony of yin and yang.

Meridians

Meridians are channels that direct the flow of energy through specific pathways of the body,
much like the circulatory system holds and transports blood. Each side of the body is
traversed by six meridians—three yin and three yang. Every meridian corresponds with a
particular organ but encompasses the larger functions of that organ as well as other organs
around them. For example, the kidney meridian is responsible for urinary health but is also
believed to carry sexual energy and affect reproductive processes as well.

The Meridian System

Meridians connect all major organ systems. Each meridian plays a specific and crucial role in
the health of the entire body. If the energy flowing through a meridian is imbalanced in any
way, the system it fuels is jeopardized, and disease may result.

In Simplest Terms

Qi refers to the natural and essential energy of livelihood. This energy flows through multiple
pathways of the body called meridians. Each meridian regulates a particular organ, but all are
interconnected. Good health depends on the circulation and balance of energy throughout the
entire meridian system.
The 12 Major Meridians of the Body
1. Lung
2. Large intestine
3. Stomach
4. Spleen
5. Heart
6. Small intestine
7. Bladder
8. Kidney
9. Pericardium
10. Triple Warmer
11. Gallbladder
12. Liver

The bladder meridian

CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1. Lung (Arm Tai Yin)
Function: Regulates respiration and intake of energy.

Symptoms of imbalance: Viral and bacterial infections, excessive perspiration,

inflammation issues in the upper parts of the body, problems with the olfactory organs
(nose/sense of smell), and adverse skin conditions.

Time of day: 3:00am–5:00am

Element: Metal

2. Large Intestine (Arm Yang Ming)

Function: Extracts and processes water from waste material before expelling it.

Symptoms of imbalance: Abdominal pains, and on an emotional level, difficulty holding on

or letting go.

Time of day: 5:00am–7:00am

Element: Metal

3. Stomach (Leg Yang Ming)

Function: Digests and extracts energy from food and distributes that energy to the spleen and
intestines.

Symptoms of imbalance: Feelings of worry and nervousness, and a lack of acceptance.

Time of day: 7:00am–9:00am

Element: Earth

4. Spleen (Leg Tai Yin)

Function: Distributes nutrients throughout the body, maintains muscle and limb tone, and
regulates blood flow.

Symptoms of imbalance: Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, lack of appetite, prolapsed

internal organs, weak muscles, general fatigue, brain fog, and absentmindedness.

Time of day: 9:00am–11:00am

Element: Earth

5. Heart (Arm Shao Yin)

Function: Circulates blood to all the organs in the body.

Symptoms of imbalance: Chest pains, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, hot

flashes, cold sweats, irritability, and insomnia. A healthy heart meridian allows for joy and
bliss in one’s life, while an imbalance can lead to psychological problems like anxiety,
depression, and bipolar disorder.

Time of day: 11:00am–1:00pm

Element: Fire

6. Small Intestine (Arm Tai Yang)

Function: Distributes nutrients throughout the body.

Symptoms of imbalance: Poor circulation, weak legs, feeling cold, swollen lymph glands,
sore/stiff shoulders, acne, nerve pain, poor digestion, and stomach distention.

Time of day: 1:00pm–3:00pm

Element: Fire

7. Bladder (Leg Tai Yang)

Function: Removes liquid waste from the body.

Symptoms of imbalance: Stiffness in the neck and shoulders, headaches, back pains, and all
urinary diseases. Emotionally, an imbalance of bladder energy causes feelings of anger and
an inability to express emotions.

Time of day: 3:00pm–5:00pm

Element: Water

8. Kidney (Leg Shao Yin)

Function: Stores sexual energy, regulates the reproductive system, and produces blood and
bone marrow.

Symptoms of imbalance: Genital-urinary disorders, backaches, asthma, and tinnitus. On an

emotional level, the kidney meridian controls willpower, determination, and ability to cope
with hardship.

Time of day: 5:00pm–7:00pm

Element: Water

9. Pericardium (Arm Jue Yin)

Function: The pericardium is the area surrounding the heart and protects, lubricates, and
removes excess energy from the heart. This is important because it disperses energy
throughout the body preventing the heart from becoming over-energized.

Symptoms of imbalance: Disorders of the heart, chest, and stomach, as well as difficulty
expressing emotions, depression, aversions, and phobias

Time of day: 7:00pm–9:00pm

Element: Fire

10. Triple Warmer (Arm Shao Yang)

Function: The triple warmer, also called the triple burner or San Jiao, controls the body as a
whole. Rather than being responsible for a particular organ system, it controls metabolism
and regulates heat, moisture, and body temperature.

Symptoms of imbalance: A wide range of disorders—since the triple warmer is responsible

for the whole body, an issue with any organ in the body is in some way associated to an
imbalance in the triple warmer meridian.

Time of day: 9:00pm–11:00pm

Element: Fire

11. Gallbladder (Leg Shao Yang)

Function: Stores and expells bile produced by the liver.

Symptoms of imbalance: Bloating, liver pains, and yellow discoloration of tongue, skin, or
urine.

Time of day: 11:00pm–1:00am

Element: Wood

12. Liver (Leg Jue Yin)

Function: Circulates energy, regulates menstruation and the female reproductive system, and
maintains flexibility of tendons and ligaments.

Symptoms of imbalance: Menstrual disorders, dry skin and eyes, jaundice, blurred vision,
vertigo, stiff joints, and headaches. On an emotional level, an imbalance of energy in the liver
meridian results in anger, irritability, depression, and a lack of control and emotional
flexibility.

Time of day: 1:00am–3:00am

Element: Wood

The meridian clock

The Meridian Clock

Each meridian has a two-hour period of the day in which energy peaks. Energy flows through
each meridian to complete a daily 24-hour cycle.
Acupuncture points

CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Energy Healing Practices in TCM
In traditional Chinese Medicine, methods of energy balancing include:

 acupuncture/acupressure
 qigong and its related martial art, tai chi
 nutrition and herbal remedies

Acupuncture, acupressure, and qigong are all forms of what the West calls preventative
medicine. However, in Eastern medicine, these are primary forms of treatment.

Acupuncture and acupressure are very similar, and both use the same map of acupoints
located on the meridians of the body. The difference is that acupuncture accesses these points
through needles while acupressure uses the less invasive technique of touch. Acupoints are
“energy hot spots,” or places along the meridian where energy collects, making the qi more
accessible there.

Acupoints can be manipulated to increase or decrease the flow of energy in a particular

meridian. When energy is deficient, these points can be accessed to clear blockages and
stimulate circulation. When there is too much energy flowing through or stagnating in a
meridian, these points are manipulated to disperse the surplus of energy.

Qigong is another form of energy healing. In qigong meditation, breathwork and gentle
movement help to cleanse, strengthen, and balance the meridians.

References
 The Chinese Medicine Meridian System. Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative
Health Sciences.
 Meridian Connection. Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not
substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a
licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous
side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis.
Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.