Yogic Exercises for Meridian Therapy

By Angela Patriarca, LAc.

Introducing myself

Lifelong areas of study and interest

The point of inception 

My teachers in dance, meditation, qigong, yoga, medicine

Areas of current interests, research and musings

Why this now?

CONTENTS

Overview

What is yoga?

What is asana?

What is Chinese Medicine?

I Ching

What are we practicing when we practice "yoga" in the west?

Bheemashakti yoga system

Developing the physical body

The 3 main tools for practice

Diagnosing and treating patients

What are yogic exercises

7 Dimensions chart

Kriyas

Breathing techniques: bhastrika and kapalabhati

Meditation

What is Meridian Therapy?

The seven emotions

How the kriyas work

Overview of the seven dimensions of the body

Compendium of yogic exercises and meridian therapy by dimension

Energetics of the spine: chakras

Energetics of the spine: kundalini

Energetics of the spine: granthis, jiaos and bandhas

Microcosmic orbit

Final thoughts

Case study

Bibliography

Overview

Yogic Exercises for Meridian Therapy

Day 1

Morning Practice: Yogic Exercises
Leg kriyas (primary/secondary openings)
Spinal twist kriyas
Backbend kriyas
Forward bend kriyas

Afternoon Module
Viewing yoga through the lens of Chinese Medicine and vice versa
What’s the point? Why this now?
What are yogic exercises? Where did they come from?
What is Meridian Therapy?
Go over morning kriyas and respective meridians

Day 2

Morning Practice: Yogic Exercises 
Leg kriyas (tertiary openings)
Spinal twist kriyas
Handstand kriyas
Forearm stand kriyas

Afternoon Module
Energetics of the spine (bandhas and kundalini)
Energetics of microcosmic orbit (heart/kidney axis)
The seven dimensions
The seven chakras
Chakras and respective glands/organs/emotions
Go over morning kriyas and respective meridians

What is Yoga?

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

(1.2) Yoga is the control (nirodhah) of the modifications (vrittis) of the mind-field (chitta)

Yoga is the ability to control all these fluctuations (vrittis) that are constantly happening in the mind and bring the mind to a perfectly stable, controlled state.

The result is the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness

Perfect harmony of mind, body, soul and spirit

What is asana?

In Raja Yoga it is the seated position. In Hatha yoga, they found that various positions of the body stimulated and opened energy channels and psychic centers (chakras).

Physical postures

Bheemashakti Yoga System “primes” the body for postures, asana refines it

Increases quality of mundane life

Brings the unconscious into consciousness

Foundation for the exploration of body, breath, mind and higher states

What is Chinese Medicine?

Yin and Yang in balance

From the Yin and Yang come the 10,000 things

Microcosmic Orbit (Kidneys-Ren/Chong/Du)

Mind/Shen bright, emotions balanced, energy flow restored

I Ching

(1300 BC)-thought to be one of the first Chinese written classics

Must have the shadow to have the light, and the light to have the shadow

If we only focus on yang (the bright, light and energetic) and cultivate yin (the dark, heavy, and hidden), (and vice versa) we remain out of balance and disease can ensue.

Bringing yin and yang into right relationship

There is nothing in life that escapes the rules of yin and yang

Once this balance is achieved there is perfect harmony of mind, body, soul and spirit

What are we practicing when we are practicing “yoga” in the west?

The Yoga Sutras by Pantanjali - 8 Limbs

1. Yama
2. Niyama
3. Asana
4. Pranayama
5. Pratyahara
6. Dharana
7. Dhyana
8. Samadhi 

Bheemashakti Yoga System

A system to prepare the body for asana

Origin story

Based in Swara Yoga- the science of breathing patterns 

“Bheema”- based on one of the five pandavas named Bhim- his gift was being strong and mighty, male polarity

“Shakti”- female polarity representing energy, power and creativity

Showing us both sides (yin/yang) What we know and what we don’t know

Developing the Physical Body

Priming the “body” for asanas

“Body” means 5 koshas

In yogic terms, the body is composed of 5 layers, or sheaths, which are inseparable from one another: Annamaya (Physical), Pranamaya (Energetic/Pranic), Mannomaya (Mental/Emotional), Vijnana (Wisdom/Awareness), Anandamaya (Bliss).  This means that any adjustment to the outer layer can affect the inner layers and vice versa. 

The yoga practitioner aims to synchronize the harmony between these layers through regulation of body, breath, and mental focus. On the surface, this practice appears to mostly improve the physical body. However, the uniqueness of this system is that all 3 of the outermost sheaths are addressed equally and in progression with one another. One is not sacrificed for the other. As a result, the total consciousness of the body is naturally awakened. 

The 3 main tools of practice 

..used to develop the physical, energetic and mental bodies succinctly are kriyas, breathing and meditation practice. 

Annamaya · Kriya · Physical

Pranamaya · Breathing · Energetic

Manomaya · Meditation · Mental

DIAGNOSING AND TREATING PATIENTS

If the disease lies within the physical body, heavy emphasis on kriyas for treatment.

If the disease lies within the energetic (emotional) body, heavy emphasis on breathwork.

If the disease lies within the mental body, heavy emphasis on meditation.

If we want to prevent disease, we can use this system to keep harmony and balance in all three bodies!

What are Yogic exercises?

7 dimensions of the body concept-bringing yin and yang into balance by systematically harmonizing the 7 major directions the body can open and energize.

This concept provides a complete understanding of the various “directions of opening” in the body. Each direction of opening is a pathway along which movements or postures are energized. When the direction of opening has become “energized”, strength, flexibility, and endurance are equally balanced. 

7 Dimensions Chart

The 7 dimensions are based on the 7 basic postures and correlate to the 7 main chakras.

7 Basic Postures

1. Trivikramasana (Standing Side Split)

2. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

3. Pasasana

4. Anuvittasana (Standing Backbend)

5. Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand)

6. Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand)

7. Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Stand)

Kriyas

Breathing techniques:
Kapalabhati and Bhastrika

Breathing techniques help regulate and store prana, energizing the whole energetic system. This complex system stores prana in the 72,000 nadis or energy channels and the 112 chakras. Pranayama is the doorway to this energy system. The most commonly used breathing techniques in the BYS method are kapalabhati and bhastrika. 

Kapalabhati

Bhastrika

Meditation

The concept of meditation is a continuous state of mental focus that results in clear insight into the nature of reality.  It is one of the most essential yet misunderstood facets of yoga knowledge. Since meditation is often assessed through specific breathing and concentration techniques, it is important to be aware of the difference between the technique and the state of meditation itself. Meditation practice employs  a variety of exercises which discipline the senses and sharpen concentration as a way to invert the practitioner's awareness and gain access to the light of pure illuminated consciousness. 

The most commonly used techniques in the BYS are: 

Vipassana
Om 

Vipassana 

Vipassana is a technique based on insight, or seeing things as they really are. It is a systematic exercise for awareness and it forms the foundation of BYS meditation practice.

Vipassana is used to gain clarity and precision through the practice of direct experiential perception. Two techniques, outer and inner, focus on developing heightened awareness and sensory observation. 

The outer technique places awareness on what is perceived through the senses. The inner technique emphasizes that which can be perceived by the withdrawal of the senses. (pratyahara) The observation of breath is the passageway between the inner and outer experience. 

Om Meditation

Om meditation is used to harmonize the nervous system. It is an exercise of humming achieved by the repetition of the sound OM with a closed mouth. The idea is to increase the vibration of the inner body, particularly through the upper chakras.  There are various head positions and stages used to achieve greater balance of  the internal systems. Master Suresh recommended this meditation for correcting major imbalances such as headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure and other treatable diseases. He also said that mental illness could be healed with Om meditation with 60% efficacy.

What is Meridian Therapy?

(based on work by Ikeda Masakazu)

Use of the meridians to diagnose and treat disease

Organ-Meridian System

Yin organs: Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Lungs and Heart

Treat the root cause of disease

Every disease begins with a deficiency in a yin organ 

(except heart-if there is deficiency, there is very serious problem)

Meridian Disease

Meridian Disease: if heat or cold gets into an organ, but the organ is relatively healthy, it will push the cold/heat onto it’s paired organ’s meridian

Meridian becomes the site of the disease

ex/ Liver heat gets pushed onto the Gallbladder meridian

Organ Disease

Heat or cold gets directly into organ 

Organ becomes the site of the disease

Relatively serious 

Meridian Sinew Disease: treat through meridian system

The Seven Emotions

Under normal conditions, the seven emotions generally do not cause disease. However, sudden, intense or prolonged stimulation of the emotions which lie outside the normal regulatory range of physiological body function will result in disturbances to the dynamics of qi, imbalance of yin-yang, blood and the five Zang organs.

If any emotion is experienced chronically, the corresponding organ can become affected and if that organ is healthy, will push the cold/heat onto its paired meridian. That’s how the body protects itself from organ disease, which is much more serious than meridian disease.

We can use kriyas to clear out the meridians of this cold/heat and also use kriyas to regulate the meridians and therefore the organs themselves.

Joy 

Can relax or relieve mental tension and stress.

Excessive joy impairs the heart, causing it to become sluggish. 

When pathological, there can be palpitations, insomnia, mental confusion and forgetfulness. More serious cases manifest as mental disorders and mania.

Anger

Prolonged anger that goes unexpressed can turn into blood stasis, since this is where the blood is stored

Can also cause qi to rise and move upwards adversely, with the blood following.

WORRY AND ANXIETY

Excessive worry causes qi stagnation and blockage. 

When the spleen qi stagnates, it consumes the heart blood. 

Prolonged anxiety disrupts the spleen's ability to transform and transport.

This causes digestive disorders.

Sadness or Grief

Prolonged sadness or grief consumes qi. 

This impairs the lung’s ability to disperse and descend.

Fear and Fright

Chronic fear sinks the qi. 

This affects the contractive ability of the kidneys to hold things in.

Fright scatters the qi.

Intense fright impairs the heart and unsettles the shen/spirit. 

How the kriyas work

The 7 Dimensions of the Body Practice

Warm up Routine- activates Ren mai, Du mai, Chong mai and Kidney meridian

Bhastrika- dries damp/phlegm accumulation and activates Dai Mai and Microcosmic Orbit

Energizes and aligns the 7 chakras

Meditation- sedates the mind/calms shen

Compendium of yogic exercises and meridian therapy by dimension

 लँ

Standing Splits Dimension

Single Leg Kriya: 3 Arm Yin/3 Arm Yang, Gallbladder, Liver, Spleen

Double Leg Kriya: Bladder, Kidney, Liver

Baddha Konasana: Gallbladder, Kidney, Liver, Spleen

Leg Extension A: 3 Arm Yin/3 Arm Yang, Bladder, Gallbladder, Kidney, Liver, Spleen

Leg Extension B: 3 Arm Yin/3 Arm Yang, Bladder, Gallbladder

Leg Extension C: Bladder, Gallbladder

Standing Balance: Bladder, Kidney, Liver, Spleen

Hanumanasana: Bladder, Stomach

Samakonasa: Kidney, Liver, Spleen

Samakonasa Kriya: 3 Arm Yin/3 Arm Yang, Bladder, Gallbladder, Kidney, Liver, Spleen

Lotus: Gallbladder, Kidney, Liver, Spleen

वँ

Forward Bend Dimension

Activated Child's Pose: Kidney, Energizes Microcosmic Orbit

Forward Bend Kriya: Bladder

Forward Bend Routine: Bladder, Gallbladder

Prasarita Padottanasana: Bladder

र

Spinal Twist Dimension

Ardha Matsyendrasana: Gallbladder

Bharadvajasana: Gallbladder, Stomach/Spleen

Standing Twist: Gallbladder

Parivrtta Utkatasana: Gallbladder

य

Backbend Dimension

Standing Backbends: 3 Arm Yin, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach

Ustrasana: 3 Arm Yin, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Laghuvajrasana: 3 Arm Yin, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Kapotasana: 3 Arm Yang, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Cobra: 3 Arm Yin, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Shalabasana: 3 Arm Yin, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Dhanurasana: 3 Arm Yin, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Supta Virasana: Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Bridge: Large Intestine, Lung, Stomach, Small Intestine

Wheel: 3 Arm Yang, Kidney, Pericardium, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

Locust: 3 Arm Yin, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine

हँ

Shoulder Stand Dimension

Shoulder Stand Routine: Bladder

उँ

Handstand Dimension

Downdog presses: Bladder, Heart, Small Intestine

1st Stage Handstand: Energizes Microcosmic Orbit/Activates Sushumna 

2nd Stage Handstand: Energizes Microcosmic Orbit/Activates Sushumna, Energizes Microcosmic Orbit/Activates Sushumna 

3rd Stage Handstand: Energizes Microcosmic Orbit/Activates Sushumna 

ॐ

Forearm Stand Dimension (Headstand)

Dolphin Presses

Inverted Dolphin at Wall: Heart, Small Intestine

Dolphin Kick ups: Energizes Microcosmic Orbit/Activates Sushumna 

Energetics of the Spine

Chakras

“A chakra is a center where nadis meet like the spokes of a chariot wheel.” Mandukya Upandishad 2:6

“The chakras are whirling vortices of energy which exist in the pranic (etheric) body of man at the linking points between the body and the mind. They occur at the intersection of ida and pingala in sushumna, being psychosomatic points, where mind and body touch.” Saraswati, Swami Satyananda Moola Bandha The Master Key

They have a yin and yang aspect (anterior/posterior) (Ren/Du)

They have corresponding acupoints on the Ren and Du

Can use the acupoints to treat chakras that are imbalanced.

How do we know if the chakras are imbalanced? 

On a gross level, we can diagnose using the 7 basic postures

Confirm with organ/meridian diagnosis (abdominal diagnosis, pulse, tongue, meridian palpation etc)

Can further confirm with pendulum if not clear

How to balance out chakras

Use yogic exercises in corresponding dimension if its a meridian/organ issue

Use acupoints to further regulate imbalanced chakra/chakras

Use extra breathing exercises if emotional issue

Use meditation if mental body is heavily a part of the issue

Kundalini

Derived from two Sanskrit words “kundala” (coiled) and “kunda”(pit)

Coiled snake that lays dormant until activated in the mooladhara 

The mind awakens/is illuminated as the kundalini rises through the spinal cord

It ascends along the sushumna to the brain (Du to the brain) and works on the chakras at the psychophysiological level

In order for the kundalini to rise to its final destination (sahasrara chakra/Du 20), it must pierce through three major granthis (psychic knots)

Bandhas and Granthis

So…

The first and second chakras deal with survival, procreation and our personality. This means, splits, lotus, leg behind the head and forward bends can be used to transcend our primal desires and the ingrained patterns of our personality.

Kidneys, urinary bladder, large intestine, reproductive organs

The third and fourth chakras deal with the physical, emotional and mental aspects of human existence. This means, spinal twists and backbending can be used to become free of physical, mental and emotional attachments.

Spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, heart, small intestine, lungs

The fifth, sixth and seventh chakras deal with the higher mental body. This means, shoulder stands, handstands and forearm stands aid in egoic states of attachment and “yoga” is attained.

Microcosmic Orbit

How does the energy flow?

The power of the spine in physical yoga practice

Most important aspect of the physical postures

Bandhas and their effect on the spine

Why? 

Case Study

final thoughts

We have the capacity to heal through the study and practice of yoga, 

Yes, and…

It doesn’t work unless you do it 

“The only way to understand Bheemashakti Yoga is to have a direct experience with it.”

There are some exceptions to this rule

Depends on the consciousness of the student 

How far into pathology and disease one has gone-can use the “Om Meditation” to bring pathologies towards a more healthy state

Next Course:

A closer look at…

Bandhas and their effect on the endocrine and nervous systems 

Yoga for women’s health

Moon cycle practices

Yogic exercises for the 8 Extraordinary Vessels

Bibliography

Chase, Christopher R. “The Geometry of Emotions: Using Chakra Acupuncture and 5-Phase Theory to Describe Personality Archetypes for Clinical Use.” Medical Acupuncture, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1 Aug. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6106753/.

Saraswati, Satyananda. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Yoga Publications Trust, 2013. 

Buddhananda, and Satyananda Saraswati. Moola Bandha: The Master Key. Yoga Publications Trust, 2013. 

Microcosmic Orbit diagram adapted from The Complete System of Self Healing: Internal Exercise, by Dr. Stephen T. Chang. San Francisco: Tao Publishing 1986, p. 200.

Ikeda, Masakazu. The Practice of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Classic Principles in Action. Eastland Press, 2005.

Credits

Course: Angela Patriarca, LAc.

Design: Sumeet Banerji, Mushroom Books