Stomach Meridian: Earth-energy yang organ

The stomach is called the 'Minister of the Mill' and is also known as the 'Sea of Nourishment'. Because it is responsible for providing the entire system with postnatal energy from the digestion of food and fluids, it is regarded as the 'Root of Postnatal Life'. In addition to digesting bulk foods and fluids and moving them onwards to the small intestine for extraction and assimilation of nutrients, the stomach also extracts pure postnatal energy from foods and fluids, and in coordination with spleen energy it transports this food energy through the meridian system to the lungs, where it combines with air energy from breathing. This is a function of the stomach not acknowledged in Western medicine, which focuses only on the biochemistry of digestion and does not recognize the bioenergetic aspect.

Governed by pivotal Earth energy, the stomach is responsible for extracting and balancing all five elemental energies from foods and fluids ingested through the mouth, which it shares with the spleen as its external aperture. Any dysfunction of the stomach results in an immediate deficiency or imbalance in the nourishing energy channeled from the stomach to other organs.

• Stomach Meridian

• Paired Organ : Spleen
• Color : deep yellow
• Peak Hours : 7am-9am
• Physical Branches : Muscles, lips, mouth, saliva Functions digestion : absorption of postnatal energy
• Meridian energy : Earth
• Chakra : First/ Base Chakra

Stomach: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The Stomach influences the mental state; an Excess condition can agitate the mind and cause mental symptoms such as: mania or hypomania, confusion, severe anxiety, and hyperactivity.

The Stomach Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and Internal Trajectories.

Starting beside the nose, near LI-20, the stomach channel meets the bladder channel at point BL-1 on the forehead. From ST-1, just below the eye, it passes into the upper gums and around the mouth to link with the governing and conception vessels. Next, via the lower gums, it ascends in front of the ear to the forehead. From the jaw it descends alongside the throat to the collarbone region, where an internal branch descends to meet the stomach and spleen.

The superficial path continues down over the abdomen to the pubic area, where a second internal branch from the stomach rejoins it. The channel continues down the anterior thigh, passing just to the outside of the kneecap. At ST-36, below the knee, the channel divides again. The surface branch runs down the leg beside the shinbone, ending on the outside of the second toe. The deeper branch descends to the middle toe. From the top of the foot a connection runs to the spleen channel.

Internal Trajectories Of The Stomach Meridian

The Ling Shu tells us that at ST-12, the "main" meridian passes down along the chest and abdomen to ST-30, while the branch:

...passes down to the diaphragm (from ST-12), permeates the stomach, and spirally wraps the spleen. another branch starting at the exit of the stomach passes down through the lining of the abdomen to ST-30.

Most commentaries agree with this simple trajectory, the notable exception being the Lei Jing (The Classic of Categories), which tells us that the branch comes down through the lining of the abdomen to ST-30, comes down slightly lateral to the kidney meridian, starting at the same level as KI-16.

Spleen-Pancreas: Earth-Energy Yin Organ

In Chinese medicine, the function of the spleen organ-energy system includes the pancreas. Called the 'Minister of the Granary', the spleen and pancreas control extraction and assimilation of nutrients from food and fluids by providing the digestive enzymes and energy required by the stomach and small intestine. They regulate the quantity and quality of blood in circulation and coordinate with the kidneys to control fluid balance throughout the system. Spleen energy commands extraction of energy from stomach to lungs, where it is blended with energy from air to form True Human Energy. The spleen directly influences and is reflected by the tone and condition of muscle tissue. Weak limbs and muscular atrophy are indications of deficient spleen energy.

Spleen and pancreas condition is reflected externally by the color and tone of the lips: reddish moist lips indicate strong spleen function; pale dry lips are a sign of weak spleen function. The mouth is the spleen's external aperture, and temperamental moodiness is its associated emotion. The Chinese term for 'bad temper' is 'bad spleen energy', a psychophysiological association also reflected in the English term 'splenetic'.

Spleen-Pancreas

• Paired Organ : Stomach
• Color : Orange yellow
• Peak Hours : 9am-11am
• Physical Branches : Muscles, lips, mouth, saliva, lymphatic system
• Functions : Cleanses and 'modifies' the blood
• Meridian energy : Earth
• Chakra : First/ Base Chakra

Spleen: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The Spleen houses the body's thoughts and intentions (Yi), and is responsible for analytical thinking, memory, cognition, intelligence, and ideas. The Spleen is responsible for directing memories to the Kidneys for short-term memory storage. The Kidneys will later transfer these memories to the Heart for long-term memory storage. The Spleen's positive psycho-emotional attributes are trust, honesty, openness, acceptance, equanimity, balance, and impartiality; its negative attributes are worry, excessive thinking, pensiveness, obsessiveness, remorse, regret, obsessions, and self-doubt.

The Spleen Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and Internal Trajectories

Beginning on the inside tip of the big toe, the spleen channel follows the inner aspect of the foot to the arch, then turns up in front of the inner ankle to SP-6. It continues up the leg, just behind the bone, crossing the knee and ascending the anterior thigh from the inner border of the kneecap. From the groin it enters the lower abdomen, meets the conception vessel, then resurfaces briefly before penetrating the spleen and stomach. The main channel then ascends through the diaphragm, over the chest, and crosses the lung channel at LU-1. It continues up to the esophagus and under the tongue. An inner branch from the stomach region transports qi up to the heart.

Internal Trajectories of the Spleen Meridian

The Spleen vessel comes into the abdomen, permeates the spleen, and spirally wraps the stomach, comes up past the diaphragm, surrounds the throat, makes contact with and disperses into the base of the tongue. This passage is interpreted to mean that the spleen meridian rises up the leg to SP-12 on the abdomen, thence to SP-13, to CV-3, to CV-4, to SP-14, to SP-15, to CV-10, to SP-16, to GB-24 to LV-14, to CV-12.

There is also some suggestion of a downward connection to CV-10 from here, which would create a cyclic pattern. Generally, however, the internal trajectory starts from CV-12, passes inside to and permeates the spleen, then comes to and spirally wraps the stomach. There it comes up through or along the esophagus to the base of the tongue. From this trajectory a branch passes to the heart.

Excercise for strengthening Muladhara

Cobra

Step by Step

1. Lie prone on the floor. Stretch your legs back, tops of the feet on the floor. Spread your hands on the floor under your shoulders. Hug the elbows back into your body.

2. Press the tops of the feet and thighs and the pubis firmly into the floor.

3. On an inhalation, begin to straighten the arms to lift the chest off the floor, going only to the height at which you can maintain a connection through your pubis to your legs. Press the tailbone toward the pubis and lift the pubis toward the navel. Narrow the hip points. Firm but don't harden the buttocks.

4. Firm the shoulder blades against the back, puffing the side ribs forward. Lift through the top of the sternum but avoid pushing the front ribs forward, which only hardens the lower back. Distribute the backbend evenly throughout the entire spine.

5. Hold the pose anywhere from 15 to 30 seconds, breathing easily. Release back to the floor with an exhalation.

Full Locust Posture

How to do:

Lie face down on the floor on your stomach, hands stretched backwards close to the body and the legs straight. Making fists of the hands bring them together beneath the thighs with the wrists touching. Inhale as much air as you can. Holding your breath make your head straight and put the chin on the floor (on a folded blanket or towel). Tighten both the legs and lift them up as high as you can. Do not bend the knees. Remain in the same posture for a few seconds. Exhale and simultaneously lower the legs slowly to the floor. Do not drop the legs. By the time the legs touch the floor you should finish exhaling. You have completed one round of a most strenuous posture. Relax.

Restrictions:

Start with three rounds on the first day. Do not practice more than four rounds. While doing the asana special attention should be given for keeping the legs tight. Do not bend or fold on the knees. In the initial stage, do not try to retain in the same position excessively. Relax for about 6 10 8 seconds between each round. For the beginners, it is always better to practice the half-locust posture before attempting the full-locust. When you first attempt the locust, you may be disappointed to find that your feet rise only slightly from the floor. Do not be discouraged. This will improve rapidly with practice.

Half - Locust Posture

For the half locust, the position, the breathing and the body conditioning are as same as the full-locust. The only difference is that you lift one leg up at a time. Lift legs alternatively. Do not twist the hips or bend the knee. Repeat lifting 2-4 times each.

Benefits:

The locust brings flexibility to the cervical (upper back) region and strength to the lower back. Brings a rich blood supply to the spine and the whole upper area. Favourably activates the kidneys, liver and all the organs of the lower part of the body. Increases abdominal pressure, regulating intestinal function and strengthening the abdominal walls and relieves back pain.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

This pose is so called because it looks like an archer's bow, the torso and legs representing the body of the bow, and the arms the string.

1. Lie on your belly with your hands alongside your torso, palms up. (You can lie on a folded blanket to pad the front of your torso and legs.) Exhale and bend your knees, bringing your heels as close as you can to your buttocks. Reach back with your hands and take hold of your ankles (but not the tops of the feet). Make sure your knees aren't wider than the width of your hips, and keep your knees hip width for the duration of the pose.

2. Inhale and strongly lift your heels away from your buttocks and, at the same time, lift your thighs away from the floor. This will have the effect of pulling your upper torso and head off the floor. Burrow the tailbone down toward the floor, and keep your back muscles soft. As you continue lifting the heels and thighs higher, press your shoulder blades firmly against your back to open your heart. Draw the tops of the shoulders away from your ears. Gaze forward.

3. With the belly pressed against the floor, breathing will be difficult. Breathe more into the back of your torso, and be sure not to stop breathing.

4. Stay in this pose anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds. Release as you exhale, and lie quietly for a few breaths. You can repeat the pose once or twice more.

Forward Bends

Rowing prepares for the forward bends. Gently stretches back while strengthening abdominals. Contraindications: sciatica, slipped disc Sit with legs stretched in front and raise the knees a bit, soles keeping contact with the floor. With inhalation, reach towards feet mimicking the rowing movement. Grab rowing pads and with exhalation pull back. Repeat 10-15 times. Preparation for Pascimottanasana is essential for healthy spine. It rejuvenates body and increases gastric fire. Immune system is boosted. Contraindications: sciatica, slipped disc

1. Sit with legs spread. Draw left heel towards trunk, place foot along right thigh.

2. Inhale, and when lungs are full start exhaling bending from waist towards the floor. Place arms in front of you.

3. Keep exhaling and start moving arms towards the straight leg. Don't push head towards knee, head and trunk should stay in a straight line.

4. Place arms on the leg. If head is close to knee, relax it there. If not, bend leg at the knee until it supports torso.

Repeat 3 times on each side.