PART ONE: ENERGETIC ANATOMY
Meridians, Chakras and Nadis
Yogic Exercises for Meridian Therapy
A Four Part Course on Chinese Medicine and Yoga
With Angela Patriarca LAc.
Module One: Energetic Anatomy: Meridians, Chakras and Nadis
February 11–12
Module Two: The Five Elements: Organs, Emotions and Spirit
May 13–14
Module Three: Practicing in Rhythm: Solar, Seasonal and Lunar Cycles
August 26 - 27
Module Four: Energetic DNA: The 8 Extraordinary Vessels
November 4–5
Part One: Energetic Anatomy
Diagrams and Key Concepts
Contents
1. Energy, Channels and Organs
a. Prana and Qi
b. Organs
c. Meridians
d. Nadis
2. Energetics of the Spine
a. Chakras and Acupoints
b. Ida, Pingala, Sushumna
c. Granthis, Dan Tians, and Kundalini
3. Yogic Exercises
a. Seven Dimensions Kriya Practice
b. Asana Practice
c. Bandha Practice
d. Breathing Techniques
e. Pranayama
f. Cultivating Qi Practices
g. Meditation
What is Chinese Medicine?
The art of sending signals to the body to protect the organs.
When qi flows unobstructed, there is no disease.
Overview of Branches
Herbology
Moxibustion
Food Energetics
Acupuncture
Yogic Exercises for Meridian Therapy
What is Acupuncture?
Originally, the acupuncture primary channels did not have points. The channels were not considered to be in or on the body. They were considered to be fields above the body. This is why originally, treatments were done by shamans with energy, mind, music, ritual, drums etc. As acupuncture became more material, the channels were then placed on the body.
What governs health is the free flow of energy throughout the body. When we have illness or pain, it means the qi is not flowing freely through the organ and the channel it creates. When we needle into that channel we invite the free flow of energy to reestablish itself.
What is Meridian Therapy?
This body of knowledge is rooted in concepts from Japanese Meridian Therapy as taught by Ikeda Masakazu Sensei. According to Japanese Meridian Therapy, every disease begins with a deficiency in a yin organ. If an organ is healthy, it will push pathogenic build up of cold, heat or damp into its paired yang organ’s meridian. If it is not healthy, organ disease can ensue. Organ disease is much more serious than meridian disease.
Prana and Qi
Qi is the same concept as prana.
Qi is the vital bioelectricity that exists everywhere, like air.
Prana is the life-force energy that flows through the nadi system and chakras.
Prana and qi travel via meridians and nadis through our bodies and nourish everything in their paths.
When the nadis and meridians are free from obstruction, there is free flow of qi, blood, spirit and jing through the chakras and organs, which act as the home to these five fundamental substances.
In yoga terms, clearing and balancing the nadis allows us to draw the prana to the third eye and awaken kundalini shakti.
In qi gong terms, by clearing and balancing the meridians, we are able to gather the qi into the lower dan tian and circulate it within the microcosmic orbit.
Organs
Yin-Yang Organ Pairs
Lung (yin) · Large Intestine (yang)
Spleen (yin) · Stomach (yang)
Heart (yin) · Small Intestine (yang)
Kidney (yin) · Urinary Bladder (yang)
Liver (yin) · Gallbladder (yang)
Pericardium (yin) · San Jiao (yang)
THE SIX CONFIRMATIONS
The Pericardium and the San Jiao are not true organs, they are often considered “functional organs,” or representatives within the body that operate on a functional level.
When we refer to ‘organs’ in Chinese medicine, they both correspond to the same material and physiological organs that we understand from western medicine and yet expand also to include a much more dynamic, symbolic, and encompassing physiology that includes aspects of spirit, personality, archetype, and embodiment of various aspects of nature.
Meridians
The organs interact with the external world via the channels.
There are seventy-two channels of therapeutic importance.
From skin level to the level of the spine they are:
Twelve Cutaneous regions - defend against pathogens
Twelve Sinew channels - injury to muscles
Sixteen Luo channels - emotional disturbance
Twelve Divergent channels - chronic degenerative diseases
Twelve Primary meridians - twenty-four/seven operation of the organs
Eight Extraordinary vessels - childhood/inherited diseases
The most important ones for circulation of qi are the twelve primary meridians plus two extraordinary vessels, the Ren Mai and the Du Mai.
Each meridian corresponds to a yin or yang organ.
Meridians channel the flow of prenatal jing into human form, creating a microcosmic physical and spiritual experience of the broader macrocosmic existence.
Meridians don’t flow in an isolated existence. They are connected to the web of energetics that make up the universe.
Nadis
There are 72,000 nadis in the human body, and fourteen primary channels (according to Darshana Upanishad).
There are 350,000 nadis and fourteen primary channels (according to Shiva Samhita).
The three most important nadis: ida, pingala and sushumna.
All nadis originate from either the kanda, an egg-shaped space between the anus and the genitals, above the muladhara chakra or the heart.
Nadis are said to channel the flow of pranic energy used by the soul to manifest in the physical and astral body.
Nadis don’t flow in an isolated existence. They are connected to the web of energetics that make up the universe.
Yin and Yang
Yang corresponds to:
Dorsal aspect of body
Superior aspect of body (any area from the waist up)
Exterior (skin and muscles)
Energy
Expansion
Ascending
Light, sun and brightness
Heaven
Space
Transformation and change
Heat
Masculine
Yin corresponds to:
Anterior aspect of body
Inferior aspect of body (any area below the waist)
Interior (organ structure and bones)
Material
Matter
Contraction
Descending
Darkness, moon and shade
Earth
Time
Conservation, storage and sustainment
Cold
Feminine
Yin and Yang are undifferentiated before birth and are held in the Chong. As the fetus grows in utero, the Ren and the Du vessels are formed. They are one continuous circuit until birth when they differentiate into the sea of yin (Ren Mai) and the sea of yang (Du Mai).
Imbalance
All imbalances can be defined by the relationship between yin and yang/ deficiency and excess/ cold and heat/ damp and dryness.
When there is an excess of emotional, physical or mental toxicity, the organs, nadis and meridians may get congested and stagnate. Reduced flow of prana/qi will manifest in the physical body as weakness, tightness, tension, pain and poor mental health.
Imbalances can also occur at the level of the chakras and organs, resulting in illness in the body and the mind. Prolonged experience of negative emotions indicates the scale of the blockage in the related chakra and organ.
Bringing Yin and Yang Into Balance
To balance yin and yang, one must first understand what is yin in nature and what is yang in nature, then be able to decipher what is in excess and what is in deficiency.
As an example, at the level of the body, the inhale creates space, lightness, and lift which is yang in nature. The exhale creates contraction, heaviness, release and a downward movement which is yin in nature.
At the level of the mind, there are thoughts that are fast and move energy up and out. These are yang in nature. Other thoughts are slow, with lots of space in between them and make energy go down, become digested and then released from the body. These are yin in nature.
At the level of the shen or spirit, our consciousness can be clear and uplifted, which is yang in nature or it can also become muddy, confused and heavy, which is yin in nature.
The five pranas (or vayus) are prana, udana, vyana, samana, and apana. Prana vayu is the intake of fresh, new energy and is yang in nature. Apana vayu moves energy down and out and is yin in nature.
We also see the yin and yang aspect of our abilities. Strength is active or yang in nature and flexibility is yin or receptive in nature. We need both for stability and ease in a posture.
In general, meridians that are overly flexible or weak are deficient and those that are overly tight are in excess. We diagnose this with our ability to perform the seven basic postures (see section Seven Dimensions Kriya Practice below) and work to energize areas of weakness and open areas that are tight.
In asana, we aim for “sthira-sukham asanam”, which means postures should be stable and the body at ease (from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Sutra 2.46)
Sthira is the yang of the pose
Sukham is the yin of the pose
The inhale is the yang, the exhale the yin.
The space in between the breath is undifferentiated yin or yang.
In general, we correct imbalance by tonifying what is in deficiency and sedating that which is in excess.
Energetics of the Spine
Chakras and Acupoints
“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
There are several different maps of the chakras depending on which text and lineage you follow.
This course follows the seven chakra mapping system.
Chakras have a yin and yang aspect (anterior/posterior) (Du Mai/Ren Mai).
Acupoints can be treated with touch, sounds, color, moxibustion, acupuncture etc. to affect chakras.
Ida, Pingala and Sushumna
Pingala nadi is associated with the right nostril and the left hemisphere of the brain.
Ida nadi is associated with the left nostril and the right hemisphere of the brain.
Ren, Du and Chong
Ren, Du and Chong all enter the spine, the kidneys and the uterus.
Granthis/Dan Tians
Kundalini
Derived from two Sanskrit words “kundala” (coiled) and “kunda”(pit).
It is like a coiled snake that lays dormant until activated in the muladhara.
The mind awakens and is illuminated as the kundalini rises through the spinal cord.
It ascends along the sushumna to the brain (Du Mai 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).
The lower dan tian is the energetic center for all physiological functions - svadhisthana chakra
The middle dan tian is the energetic center of the emotional body - anahata chakra
The upper dan tian is the energetic center of the spiritual body - ajna chakra
All three dan tians connect via the spinal cord and central nervous system. (kundalini shakti rising through the sushumna nadi)
Yogic Exercises for Meridian Therapy
Yogic practices can be used as inner alchemy.
First, refine the gross body with kriya and asana practice. When the seven dimensions of the body are relatively balanced, so are the chakras, meridians and nadis.
Once the gross body is relatively balanced, pranayama practice helps to refine our relative state, or “taiji”. Taiji is the taoist cosmological term for ”supreme ultimate” interaction of matter (yin) and space (yang) with pranayama. This happens on the level of the Ren (yin) and Du (yang) meridians as well as the pingala (yang) and ida (yin) nadis.
Meditation practice further refines our experience to connect us to the “primordial universe” or “wuji”, which means “without limit” and calms the spirit of the heart. This is when yin and yang return to oneness.
Seven Dimensions Kriya Practice
When all seven dimensions of the body at a foundational level are opened, energized, and in balance, one can receive all the health benefits of yoga.
Kriya practice utilizes repetitive dynamic movements and kapalbhati breath to strongly move qi, blood (xue) and fluids (jin-ye) through the meridian/nadi system.
The movement of jin-ye fluids that occurs as a result of kriya practice, helps to rid the body of latent pathogens that can eventually cause chronic degenerative disease or cancers.
Pathogens get stuck in the body in and around the organs, the joints, the band around the waist and jin ye fluids. Kriyas move these latent pathogens to more superficial layers of the body to be eventually expelled via elimination methods. (urination, excretion, sweating)
Tonifies yang (builds internal heat). Heat dries dampness.
Prepares and balances the seven main chakras for pranayama and meditation practices.
Each of the seven dimensions correlate to one of the seven major chakras.
Primes “body” for asana practice. “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.
लँ
STANDING SPLITS DIMENSION
Chakra: Muladhara
Location: Du 3 (L4/L5), Ren 1
Associated Bandha: Mula
Organs: Spine, Kidneys, Urinary Bladder, Large Intestine
Yin/Yang Meridians: Kidney/Urinary Bladder, Spleen/Stomach, Liver/Gallbladder
Element: Water/Fear
Musculoskeletal: Psoas, iliacus, gastrocnemius, soleus, foot muscle
Landmark abilities: Splits (standing, inverted, middle and side), lotus, leg behind the head (also forward bend dimension)
वँ
FORWARD BEND DIMENSION
Chakra: Swadhisthana
Location: Du 4 (L4/5), Ren 3-8
Associated Bandha: Mula and Uddiyana
Organs: Organs of Reproduction, Kidneys, Urinary Bladder
Yin/Yang Meridians: Spleen/Stomach, Kidney/Urinary Bladder
Element: Earth/Worry
Musculoskeletal: Hamstrings
Landmark ability: Leg behind the head (also in standing splits dimension)
र
SPINAL TWIST DIMENSION
Chakra: Manipura
Location: Du 6/7 (T10-12), Ren 12
Associated Bandha: Uddiyana
Organs: Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Gallbladder
Yin/Yang Meridians: Spleen/Stomach Liver/Gallbladder
Element: Earth/Worry, Wood/Anger
Musculoskeletal: Abdominals, quadriceps
Landmark ability: Pasasana
य
BACKBEND DIMENSION
Chakra: Anahata
Location: Du 14 (T5/6), Ren 17
Associated Bandha: Uddiyana and Jalandhara
Organs: Heart, Lungs, Kidneys
Yin/Yang Meridians: Heart/Small Intestine
Element: Fire/Joy
Musculoskeletal: Erector spinae
Landmark abilities: Drop back, kapotasana, locust, inverted scorpion
हँ
SHOULDER STAND DIMENSION
Chakra: Vishuddha
Location: Du 14 (C7/T1), Ren 22
Associated Bandha: Jalandhara
Organs: Lungs/Large Intestine (via the vagus nerve)
Yin/Yang Meridians: Lung/Large Intestine/Urinary Bladder
Element: Metal/Sadness and Grief
Musculoskeletal: Pectorals, triceps, forearms, latissimus dorsi
Landmark ability: Chakrasana
उँ
HANDSTAND DIMENSION
Chakra: Ajna
Location: Du 15 (below C2 atlas/axis), yin tang
Associated bandha: Jalandhara
Organs: Kidneys, Heart, left brain, lower brain, ears, nose, left eye
Yin/Yang meridians: Liver/Gallbladder
Element: Wood/Anger
Musculoskeletal: Anterior and posterior neck muscles
Landmark abilities: Walking on hands, balancing (straight and bent arms), jump through
ॐ
FOREARM STAND DIMENSION (HEADSTAND)
Chakra: Sahasrara
Location: Du 20/Du 16 (below C1 Atlas/occiput)
Associated Bandha: None-not on spine
Organs: Kidneys, Heart, right brain, Upper brain, Right eye
Yin/Yang Meridians: Pericardium/San Jiao
Element/Emotion: Fire/Fright
Landmark abilities: Vrischikasana (backbend and forearm stand dimensions combine)
Asana Practice
Asana practice refines the energetics of the spine and the sound of the breath. The sound of the breath, or “swara”, renders useful information about the condition of our pranic body.
The role of dimensional practice is to prepare the body’s energetics for the practice of asana. The relationship between these two practices can be likened to the process of mining and polishing gemstones. First, the raw material must be harvested through the use of dynamic force. Once sourced, the material is then cut and polished with precision.
Prior to beginning one’s chosen asana practice, student’s can be introduced to an energization process which strongly conditions the mula and uddyiana bandhas. It includes performing multiple sets of sun salutations (A and B), standing, seated and finishing asanas from the Ashtanga Vinyasa primary series with the addition of kapalabhati breath. This process provides a complete understanding of the energy required to master each asana and is the bridge between dimensional and asana practice.
It also strongly conditions the bandha system, so that the spine remains fluid and engaged in the continuous flow of yin and yang through the Ren and Du vessels.
Bandha Practices
Strengthening the bandha system is one of the most effective yogic exercises for moving prana/qi strongly through the spine.
Increases flow of cerebrospinal fluid, regulates the central nervous system and improves endocrine function.
Uddiyana Bandha Kriya
Used as a cleansing technique for the Large and Small Intestine.
Invigorates organs located in the upper and lower abdominal cavities.
Also called nauli kriya.
Breathing Techniques
Bhastrika
Bhastrika, or “bellow’s breath” is performed by using the belly as a bellow to vigorously pump the breath in and out of the nostrils.
It is used to clear the channels and warm the body up before beginning the physical part of practice, allowing the body to feel lighter and freer from obstruction.
Because of its invigorating and warming properties, it is very effective at tonifying yang and drying dampness.
Kapalabhati
Kapalabhati (literally “skull shining” breath), is a vigorous breathing technique of rapid short exhalations through the nose, using the power of the lower abdomen to expel the air.
This breathing energizes the body much quicker than practicing without it and quickly strengthens the lower bandha system.
Strongly builds internal heat and stimulates the organs.
Brings fire from Small Intestine into Kidneys, initiating Kidney yang to flow up the spine.
Pranayama
Aniloma Viloma
Aniloma viloma is the practice of alternating the breath between the left and right nostrils.
This regulates and balances the ida, pingala and sushumna nadis.
Promotes the smooth flow of qi and blood in the meridians that run through the chest and abdomen when done while moving the torso. (see photo above)
Viloma I and II (Kumbhaka Pranayama)
Viloma I and II are done in the beginning stages lying in sivasana.
The breath is retained after the inhale during viloma I.
The breath is retained after the exhale during viloma II.
Used to downregulate the central nervous system and encourages prana/qi to flow up and down the spine and through the organs.
Cultivation Qi Practices
Meridian Tapping
Standing Qigong
Dan Tian Tapping
5 Joints Exercise
Sleeping Tiger
Meditation
Om Meditation
Om meditation is used to harmonize the nervous system and for overall balance.
It is an exercise of humming achieved by the repetition of the sound OM with a closed mouth.
Brings subtle vibration to the inner body, particularly through the upper chakras.
Microcosmic Orbit Meditation
The microcosmic orbit meditation is used to replenish jing and connect to source.
It represents the body as a microcosm of the larger macrocosm of the natural world.
The hexagrams represent the cycle of transformation from yin to yang.
Yang = one line
Yin = two lines
They change from the bottom up, beginning at most yin aspect (winter’s solstice, water, earth) and ending at the most yang aspect (summer’s solstice, fire, heavens).
Through this practice, one is reconnected with the primordial yin-yang current that flows between heaven and earth and unites us to who we really are and where we come from.
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.
Yogic Exercises for Meridian Therapy
A Four Part Course on Chinese Medicine and Yoga
With Angela Patriarca LAc.
February–November 2023
Online and in San Diego
Course Dates
Module One: Energetic Anatomy: Meridians, Chakras and Nadis
February 11–12
Module Two: The Five Elements: Organs, Emotions and Spirit
May 13–14
Module Three: Practicing in Rhythm: Solar, Seasonal and Lunar Cycles
August 26 - 27
Module Four: Energetic DNA: The 8 Extraordinary Vessels
November 4–5