Focus of the Month: August 2024
written by Jenny T.
During Yoga On The Move’s “Embodied Nature Retreat” in April we took a plunge into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), learning about this ancient healing practice while bathing in nature’s lush in the outskirts of Berlin. I remember vividly coming back to the city and how this weekend marked the beginning of spring. I was full of anticipation, feeling the Yang energy in each of my cells, all set to rise and expand. Fast forward, as August arrives, we find ourselves at the peak of summer with the heat and intensity of the fire element still strong. And while I enjoy every last bit of it, I start coming back to more times of stillness. While in the past I would hardly listen to my body’s signals, it became sacred to me to spend time by myself inviting the energy of Yin.
As in August we still fully embrace the warmth and vibrancy of summer, it's essential to understand how this season interacts with our body's energetic systems. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the concept of Qi, the vital energy that flows through the body along pathways called meridians. This system connects to the natural world, aligning the body's organs, emotions, and health with the changing seasons and the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element is associated with specific organs and emotions and maintaining balance among these elements and the flow of Qi is essential for us to feel good and balanced. Summer is associated with the fire element, influencing both our physical and emotional states.
This blogpost is an exploration of a special meridian - An extraordinary meridian actually. The Dai Mai, or "Belt Channel," plays a crucial role in balancing these energies, making it particularly relevant during this time of year. As we delve deeper into the significance of the Dai Mai, we'll shed light onto its unique location and functions in the body, and how it can support us in physical health and different emotional states especially in summer. Let’s journey through the traditions of Chinese Medicine to learn how we can nurture ourselves in these times - feeling it all and resting well.
Summer: The Time of the Heart and Fire
The fire element embodies warmth and activity, expansion and ascension.
Organs:
Heart and Small Intestine are linked to the fire element.
Heart ("emperor" of organs in TCM), governs blood circulation and emotional well-being.
Small Intestine aids in sorting and at the same time absorbing nutrients, both of physical and emotional nature.
Emotions:
Joy and passion are positive manifestations of the fire element.
Can lead - when out of balance- to emotional extremes such as anxiety or impatience.
Physical Symptoms:
Imbalance of fire can manifest as heat-related symptoms like redness, excessive sweating, insomnia or palpitations (pounding heart).
The Dai Mai and Its Relevance in Summer
The Dai Mai, also known as the "Girdling Vessel," is one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels in TCM. This unique horizontal meridian wraps around the waist and connects the upper and lower body. It helps regulate the flow of Qi and blood, ensuring a balanced and smooth distribution throughout the whole system.
The Dai Mai's role in regulating energy flow is particularly significant during this season, as it helps harmonize these fiery energies and maintain inner balance.
Dai Mai Imbalances: Physical and Emotional
"The Dai Mai is often linked to emotional feelings of being stuck or constrained, which can manifest as a lack of motivation or feeling burdened."
Imbalances in the Dai Mai can significantly affect both how we feel in our body and mind, potentially leading to many manifestations.
Physical Imbalance:
Lower Back and Hip Pain: Imbalances can often manifest as stiffness or pain in these areas.
Digestive Issues: As the Dai Mai is connected to the digestive system, imbalances can cause bloating, constipation or irregular digestion.
Problems: Imbalances may lead to discomfort in the lower abdomen or menstrual irregularities.
Emotional Imbalance:
Feelings of Being "Stuck": The Dai Mai is often linked to emotional feelings of being stuck or constrained, which can manifest as a lack of motivation or feeling burdened.
Restlessness: Emotions like anxiety, irritability or restlessness.
Emotional Storage and Release: The hips, connected to the Dai Mai, are considered storage areas for unresolved emotions like fear, stress or grief.
Dai Mai in Yoga: Connection, Benefits, and the Link to Hips and Emotions
In the context of yoga, the Dai Mai's function resonates with practices aimed at balancing the body's energy and maintaining holistic health. Here's how understanding and working
with the Dai Mai can benefit your practice:
Regulated and Horizontal Flow of Qi
Sense of Centering
Emotional Clarity and Stability
Hormonal Balance
Healthy Digestion
Improved Posture
Find your balance
To cultivate balance in body, mind and heart, harmonizing especially the Dai Mai and the fire element, there are various ways to bring this intention into our practice. At the same time, we know our practice doesn’t end at the edges of our mat. Beyond these four corners there are also diverse and simple ways to balance our emotional and energetic state.
Balance on the mat
Hip-Opening Asanas: Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) and Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) to release tension in the hips and lower back. These poses improve flexibility and mobility but also assist in releasing stored emotional tension.
Core Strengthening Asanas: Poses like Boat Pose (Navasana) strengthen the core and support the Dai Mai's structure, leading to an overall balanced energetic system.
Cooling Pranayama: Practice cooling breath techniques like Sitali or Sitkari Pranayama to sooth the heat of the fire element.
Meditate on the Dai Mai: Sit comfortably, breathe deeply, and visualize a warm light encircling your waist. Silently repeat the mantra "I release whatever is not mine to keep," imagining the light gently dissolving and releasing any tension or burdens with each exhale.
Yin and Gong: Experience deep relaxation, soothing vibrations that encircle your body like the Dai Mai and feel them brushing over your inner landscape.
Balance off the mat
Mindful Eating and Drinking:
Avoid cool drinks like smoothies or iced coffee (i know, it’s tough) as it will reduce your overall Qi. Imagine your stomach is a cooking pot and it always needs the same amount of fire to be burning. When drinking and eating cold foods, you dim the fire causing the body to use more energy/qi to keep it going again.
If you can’t resist entirely like me, you can balance a bit by drinking warm or even hot herbal tea. Enjoy herbs that have cooling qualities according to TCM like chamomile, geranium or peppermint.
Favor cooling, hydrating foods that support the Heart and Small Intestine (cucumbers, melons and leafy greens).
Try Acupressure:
Apply firm, steady pressure with your fingers on the specific acupoint for 1-3 minutes, gradually increasing and then releasing the pressure while breathing deeply and relaxing.
Two beautiful points to balance emotions and settle the heart are Heart 7 and Pericardium 6.
Heart 7 (HT7), also known as Shenmen or "Spirit Gate," is located on the wrist crease, just on the side closest to the little finger, where you can feel a slight hollow.
Pericardium 6 (PC6), also known as Neiguan or "Inner Pass," is located on the inner forearm, about two finger-widths above the wrist crease, between two visible tendons when you make a fist and bend your wrist slightly.
Emotional Awareness:
Try activities that help you coming to touch with how you feel like journalling.
Cultivate practices that soothe and balance emotions like spending time in nature trying a new creative hobby.
The fire element, central to this season, encourages warmth and joy but also reminds us to nourish our hearts and maintain emotional well-being. The Dai Mai, or Belt Vessel, plays a crucial role in regulating our body's energy flow, ensuring that we stay grounded and balanced.
By understanding these traditional concepts, we can better appreciate how interconnected our physical, emotional and spiritual health truly is. It is such a gift to be learning from these ancient methods and no matter if it’s through mindful practices or dietary adjustments - Every integration of these principles into our daily lives can offer us a state of balance of abundance.
Read more here:
"Grundlagen der Chinesischen Medizin", Giovanni Maciocia
"Das große Buch der chinesischen Medizin", Ted J. Kaptchuk
"Between Heaven and Earth", Beinfield & Korngold
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