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By Yang, Jwing-Ming
 In this chapter we will briefly review the twelve primary Qi channels along with the eight extraordinary meridians.
You should also know the organ's Yin and Yang. In our body, there are six Yang organs and six Yin organs. Each Yang organ is associated with a Yin organ by a special Yin/Yang relationship.
Paired Yin and Yang organs belong to the same phase in the Five Phases. Their channels are sequential to each other in the circulation of Qi, their functions are closely related, and disease in one usually affects the other. In Chinese medicine, the channel corresponding to the Yang organ is often used to treat disorders of its related Yin organ.
In the limbs, the Yang channels are on the external side of the limbs while the Yin channels are on the internal side. Generally speaking, the outsides of the limbs are more Yang and are more resistant and prepared for an attack, while the internal sides are more Yin and weaker.
The organs are further subdivided in order to distinguish the different levels of the Yin/Yang characteristics. The Yang organs are divided into Greater Yang (Taiyang), Lesser Yang (Shaoyang), and Yang Brightness (Yangming). The Yin organs are divided into Greater Yin (Taiyin), Lesser Yin (Shaoyin), and Absolute Yin
(Jueyin). In the following discussion, all of the classifications will be
shown in the title, for example: the Lung Channel of Hand
Greater Yin.
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The lungs (Yin) and the large intestine (Yang) are considered
paired organs. They belong to Metal
in the Five Phases, the westerly direction, the season of autumn, the
dry climatic condition, the color white, the pungent taste, the rank
odor, the emotion of sadness, and the sound of weeping. Their
opening is the nose, and they govern skin and hair.
In Qigong practice, since the lungs belong to Metal, they are
able to regulate heartburn. The heart belongs to Fire. Whenever
the heart has excess Qi, deep breathing is able to lead the heart's fire
to the lungs, and therefore cool the heartburn. When the weather is
changing from damp, hot summer into dry and cool autumn, lungs
are the first organ to sense the change. If your lungs are not able to
readjust themselves to fit the new situation smoothly, you will catch
a cold. The lungs access the outside world through your nose. The
lungs are responsible for taking Qi from the air, and for the energy
(Qi) state of the body.
Breathing is considered a strategy for leading Qi to the extremities such as skin and hair. When your breathing is regulated properly,
you are able to strengthen your body's Guardian Qi and generate an
expansive Qi shield to protect your body. You are also able to raise or
lower your Qi state through your breathing. For example, when you
are angry, deep breathing is ab!e to calm your excited Qi state.
The lungs are sensitive to emotional changes, especially when
you are sad or angry. They also control that part of the liquid
metabolism which distributes liquid to the skin.
Because the lungs are usually the first to be attacked by exogenous diseases, they are called the Delicate Organ. These diseases
can also cause what is called the Non-Spreading of the Lung Qi. The
main symptom of a problem with the lungs is coughing, which is a
form of Rebellious Qi (since the lung Qi normally flows downward).
If coughing is also accompanied by lassitude, shortness of breath,
light foamy phlegm, and weakness in the voice, it is called Deficient
Lung Qi. However, if the cough is a dry one, with little phlegm, a
parched throat and mouth, and Deficient Yin symptoms (such as
night sweating, low grade fever, red cheeks, etc.), the condition is
referred as Deficient Lung Yin.
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The lungs (Yin) and the large intestine (Yang) are considered
paired organs. From Table 2-1 you can see that they belong to Metal
in the Five Phases, the westerly direction, the season of autumn, the
dry climatic condition, the color white, the pungent taste, the rank
odor, the emotion of sadness, and the sound of weeping. Their
opening is the nose, and they govern skin and hair.
The main function of the large intestine is the metabolism of
water and the passing of water. It extracts water from the waste
material received from the small intestine, sends it on to the urinary
bladder, and excretes the solid material as stool. Many disorders affecting this organ are categorized as spleen and stomach patterns.
Certain abdominal pains are considered manifestations of a blockage of Qi or blood in the large intestine.
In Qigong, the Dan Tian in the lower abdomen is considered the residence of Original Qi. In order to keep this Qi at its residence, this area must be strong and healthy. The Qi circulating around the intestines must not be stagnant. When you practice Qigong you must learn how to regulate your breathing to smooth the Qi flow in the large intestine and the lungs. This will allow you to relax the front of your body and regulate the Qi flow in the other organs.
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The spleen (Yin) and the stomach (Yang) are paired organs.
They belong to Earth in the Five Phases, the center, the season of
long summer (the end of summer), the climatic condition of damp
ness, the color yellow, the emotion of ppnsiveness, the taste of sweet
ness, fragrant odor, and the sound of singing. Their opening is the
mouth and they control the flesh and the limbs.
The Yin/Yang relationship between the spleen and the stomach
is a particularly strong example of the relationship between organs.
The stomach receives food while the spleen transports nutrients.
The stomach moves things downward while the spleen moves things
upward. The stomach likes dampness while the spleen likes
dryness.
Though there are some patterns relating to deficiency of the
stomach (many of these originate in the spleen), most stomach disorders are caused from excess. Stomach Fire gives a painful, burning
sensation in the stomach, unusual hunger, bleeding of the gums, constipation, and halitosis.
Once saliva has begun the process of digestion, food passes to
the stomach, located in the middle Sanjiao (middle triple burner)
area. The stomach breaks down the food, and then passes it on to
the intestines, where the essence is absorbed and converted into Qi,
and circulated through the entire body.
The stomach is related to the emotion of pensiveness. When
you are upset, the stomach will not function normally. In Qigong,
regulating the mind is the first step to maintaining the stomach in a
healthy condition. The type of food you eat is the second consideration. The proper amount and quality of food will help you to obtain
high quality Qi to circulate in your body.
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The spleen (Yin) and the stomach (Yang) are paired organs.
They belong to Earth in the Five Phases, the central direction, the
season of long summer (the end of summer), the climatic condition of
dampness, the color yellow, the emotion of pensiveness, the taste of
sweetness, fragrant odor, and the sound of singing. Their opening is
the mouth and they control the flesh and the limbs.
The spleen is the main organ of digestion. Its function is to
transport nutrients and regulate the blood (regulate means to keep
it within the channels). It is responsible for the transformation of
food into nourishment.
When the spleen is weak, the body will not be able to use the
nourishment available in food. This will cause general lassitude,
fatigue, and a pasty complexion. The upper abdomen is considered
the province of the spleen. Deficient spleen Qi is shown by a sense
of malaise or fullness in that area. Because it is required that the
transportive function of the spleen distribute its Qi upward, weak
ness in the spleen will usually cause diarrhea. Spleen Qi is also
regarded as the Middle Qi, and it is responsible for holding the
viscera in place. Insufficiency of the Middle Qi will presage prolapsed stomach, kidneys, etc. In more serious cases, the spleen
Yang Qi will be deficient, which is manifested in diarrhea, cold
limbs, and abdominal pain that can be soothed by the warmth of
frequent hot drinks.
If any of the above symptoms are accompanied by bleeding,
especially from the digestive tract or uterus, it is called Spleen Not
Controlling the Blood.
Cold and Dampness Harassing the Spleen is a manifestation
characterized by a pent-up feeling in the chest and a bloated sensation in the abdomen, lassitude, lack of appetite and taste, a feeling of
cold in the limbs, a dark yellowish hue to the skin, some edema and
diarrhea or watery stool. The cold and dampness prevent the spleen
from performing its transforming and transporting functions. This
leads to a great disturbance in water metabolism and is one of the
origins of Phlegm.
In Qigong training, one of the final goals is to regulate the Qi
flow to its original (normal) levei in the five Yin organs. Among
them, the spleen is the last and the hardest organ to regulate. It is
believed that if you are able to regulate the Qi in your spleen to a
normal and healthy level, you will have grasped the key to health
and longevity.
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The heart and the small intestine are paired organs. The heart
is considered Yin, and the small intestine is considered Yang, balancing this paired channel. These two organs correspond to Fire in the
Five Phases, the southerly direction, the summer season, the climatic condition of heat, the color red, the emotion of happiness, the
sound of laughter, the taste of bitterness, and the odor of burning.
Their point of entry is the tongue, they control the blood vessels and
are reflected in the face.
Almost all of the problems and disorders of the heart are associated with weakness. The four major types of heart weakness are
Deficient Heart Qi, Deficient Heart Yang, Deficient Heart Blood, and
Deficient Heart Yin.
The main functions of the heart are associated with the spirit
and the blood vessels. The heart governs the blood vessels and is
responsible for moving blood through them. It also stores the spirit,
and is the organ usually associated with mental processes.
Therefore, some forms of emotional distress, dizziness, palpitations,
shortness of breath, and lack of
Vitality are common symptoms of
heart ailments. Deficient Heart Qi is symbolized by general lassitude, panting and shallow breathing, and frequent sweating. If the
face is swollen and ashen gray or bluish-green, and the limbs are
cold, it is called Deficient Heart Yang. The symptoms of restless
ness, irritability, dizziness, absentmindedness, and insomnia are
typical signs of Deficient Heart Blood. In Deficient Heart Yin cases,
developments with a flushed feeling in the palms and face, low grade
fever, and night sweating will occur.
The symptom of Heart Excess arises from an excess of Heart
Fire. This is manifested by fever, occasionally accompanied by delirium, a racking pulse, intense restlessness, insomnia or frequent
nightmares, a bright red face, a red or blistered and painful tongue,
and often a burning sensation during urination. The latter symptom
is the result of Heat being transferred from the heart to the small
intestine, which interferes with the small intestine's role in
metabolism and the body's management of water.
In Qigong society, it is believed that the mind is associated with
the heart, and that it is also directly related to the spirit. The term
heart (Xin) is usually used to represent the emotional mind or ideas.
The Middle Dan Tian at the solar plexus is considered the residence
of the Fire Qi. This Fire is used to nourish the brain and the spirit
(Shen) at its residence, the Upper Dan Tian or third eye. In Chinese
medicine it is said that the heart is the temple of the spirit because
it supplies Fire Qi and can nourish the spirit without limit.
Generally speaking, the heart is very sensitive during the summertime: The heart is a Yin channel, and when the summer Yang
comes it can increase the heart's Qi level and cause problems.
Emotional disturbances, such as excitement from happiness, are considered harmful to the heart as well, especially during the summer
time. Qigong emphasizes regulating the heart in the summer.
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The heart and the small intestine are paired organs. The heart
is considered Yin, and the small intestine is considered Yang, balancing this paired channel. These two organs correspond to Fire in the
Five Phases, the southerly direction, the summer season, the climatic condition of heat, the color red, the emotion of happiness, the
sound of laughter, the taste of bitterness, and the odor of burning.
Their point of entry is the tongue. They control the blood vessels
and are reflected in the face.
The major function of the small intestine is to separate waste
material from the nutritious elements in food. The nutritious elements are then distributed throughout the body and the waste is
sent on to the large intestine.
The small and large intestines are located in the Lower Dan
Tian. In order to store the Original Qi converted from Original
Essence, the abdomen must be healthy and the Qi circulation in the
area of the intestines must be smooth and natural. The best way to
reach this goal is through abdominal breathing exercises. One such
exercise is to lead the Original Qi upward following the heart and
small intestine Qi channels to cool down the heart Fire.
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The kidneys (Yin) and the urinary bladder (Yang) are paired
organs. They correspond to Water in the Five Phases, the winter
season, the cold climatic condition, the southerly dicection, the color
black, the emotion of fear, the taste of salt, the smell of decay, and
the sound of groaning. Their sensory organ is the ear. Their opening
is the urethra. They control the bones, marrow, and brain, and their
health is reflected in the hair of the head.
The main function of the urinary bladder is to transform fluids
into urine and excrete it from the body.
In Qigong, the urinary bladder has never enjoyed serious attention. However, its pairing partner the kidney is cne of the most
important organs - one with which all Qigong practitioners are concerned and train most often. The reason for this is simply that the
kidneys are the residence of the Original Essence.
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The kidneys (Yin) and the urinary bladder (Yang) are paired
organs. They correspond to Water in the Five Phases, the winter
season, the cold climatic condition, the southerly direction, the color
black, the emotion of fear, the taste of salt, a rotten smell, and the
sound of groaning. Their sensory organ is the ear. Their opening is
the urethra. They control the bones, marrow, and brain, and their
health is reflected in the hair of the head.
The kidneys store Original Essence (Yuan Jing) and are therefore
responsible for growth, development, and reproductive functions. They
play the primary role in water metabolism and control the body's
liquids, and also hold the body's most fundamental Yin and Yang.
Because the kidneys are the repositories of the basal Yin and
Yang of the body, any disorder, if sufficiently chronic, will involve the
kidneys. More significantly, a disease of the kidneys will usually lead
to problems in other organs. Methods of strengthening the kidneys are
therefore used by both medical and Qigong societies to increase or
maintain
Vitality and health. The symptoms of Deficient Kidney Yang
or Yin are typical symptoms of the disorder, and will appear to a
certain extent as Deficient Yang or Yin patterns in any organ.
It is easy to undeistand and memorize the symptoms of
Deficient Kidney Yin if one learns the correspondences of the
kidneys and remembers that Yin represents the constructive, nourishing, and fluid aspects of the body. Usually, the lower back is weak
and sore, there is ringing in the ears and loss of hearing acuity, the
face is ashen or dark, especially under the eyes. It is common to feel
dizziness and thirst, and to experience night sweats and low grade
fevers. In addition, men have little semen and tend toward premature ejaculation, while women have little or no menstruation.
Deficient Kidney Yang symptoms are significantly associated
with loss of energy or warmth. Similar to Deficient Kidney Yin,
there is commonly ringing in the ears, dizziness, and soreness in the
lower back. However, the soreness is characterized by a feeling of
coldness, lassitude, and fatigue. Weakness in the legs can be
noticed. In men, there is a tendency toward impotence, and in both
sexes, clear and voluminous urine or incontinence.
Usually, Deficient Kidney Yin generates similar disorders in the
heart and liver, while Deficient Kidney Yang disturbs the functions of
the spleen and lungs. The progression could be in the opposite direction. When this pattern is associated with the lungs, it is called
"Kidney Not Receiving Qi," a type of wheezing characterized by difficult breathing, mainly during inhalation. In addition to the Deficient
Kidney Yang symptoms, this condition is also manifested by a faint
voice, coughing, puffiness in the face, and spontaneous sweating.
The kidneys perform an important role in the metabolism of
water. If these functions are disrupted, the condition of Deficient
Kidneys will lead to Spreading Water.
In Qigong practice, essence (Jing) is considered the most original source of human
Vitality. Qi is converted from essence, and this
Qi supplies the entire body and nourishes the brain and spirit. It is
believed by both Chinese medical and Qigong societies that the
kidneys are the residence of Original Essence. In order to protect
your inherent essence, you must strengthen your kidneys. Only
when your kidneys are strong will you be able to keep your essence
at its residence. Therefore, keeping the kidneys healthy has become
one of the most important subjects in Qigong.
Maintaining the kidneys in a healthy state includes protecting
the physical kidneys from degeneration, and maintaining a smooth
and correct level of Qi flow. In order to reach this goal, the diet must
be considered. For example, too much salt is harmful to the kidneys,
and eating too much eggplant will weaken the kidneys. In addition,
the condition of the body is also important. Such things as over
working without proper rest will increase tension on the kidneys and
make the Qi flow stagnant. In winter, the kidneys will have more
tension than in summer. Due to this, the Qi flow is more stagnant in
the wintertime than in the summertime. Consequently, back pain
problems increase in the winter.
In order to protect the kidneys, Qigong practitioners have
studied the relationship of the kidneys to nature, food, and even to
emotionalstates. They have developed massage techniques and specific exercises to increase Qi circulation in the kidneys during the
winter. Since the health of the kidneys is related to the emotions as
well, learning how to regulate the mind in order to regulate the Qi
has become one of the major training goals in Qigong.
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The pericardium (Yin) and the triple burner (Yang) are paired
organs. They are said to correspond to the "Ministerial Fire," as opposed
to the "Sovereign Fire" of the heart and small intestine. Though the
pericardium has no separate physiological functions, it is generally mentioned with regard to the delirium induced by high fevers.
The regulation of Qi in the pericardium is considered a very
important subject in Qigong. It is believed that the heart, the most
vital organ in your body, must have a proper level of Qi circulation in
order to function normally. The Qi level of the heart can be raised
easily to an abnormal state by illness, emotional disturbance, exercise,
or injury. The function of the pericardium is to dissipate the excess Qi
from the heart and direct it to the Laogong cavity (P-8), located in the
center of the palm. From Laogong, the excess Qi will be released naturally and hence, regulate the heart's Qi level. The Laogong cavity is
used in Qigong massage to reduce the body's temperature during a
fever. You can see that the purpose of the pericardium is to regulate
the Qi in the heart through the Laogong cavity.
You should understand that in Qigong it is believed that there
are five centers (called gates) where the Qi of the body is able to com
municate with the surrounding environment, and, consequently, regulate the Qi level in your body. Two of these five centers are the
Laogong cavities, and two others are the Yongquan cavities (K-1),
used to regulate the Qi in the kidneys. The fifth one is your face.
The face is connected and related to many ofyour organs. Whenever
any of your organ Qi is not normal, it shows on your face.
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At least as far back as the 3rd century A.D., in the "Classic of
Difficulties" (Nan Jing) the triple burner was regarded as "having a
name but no form." In the "Inner Classic" (Nei Jing), the triple
burner was considered an organ that coordinated all the functions of
water metabolism. In other traditional documents, the burners were
considered three regions of the body that were used to group the
organs. The upper burner includes the chest, neck, and head as well
as the functions of the heart and lungs. The middle burner is the
region between the chest and the navel, and includes the functions of
the stomach, liver, and spleen. The lower burner spans the lower
abdomen, and the functions of the kidneys and urinary bladder.
Therefore, the upper burner has been compared to a mist which
spreads the blood and Qi, the middle burner is like a foam which
churns up food in the process of digestion, and the lower burner
resembles a swamp where all the impure substances are excreted.
Regulating the Qi to a normally "smooth-flow" state is one of the
main Qigong training methods for maintaining health. It is normal
ly done through Wai Dan exercises, and it is believed that the Qi
must flow around internal organs smoothly in order for them to
maintain their normal functions. This means that in order to keep
Qi flow smooth and the organs healthy, you must first learn how to
regulate and relax muscles that are holding and related to a given
organ. External movements also exercise internal muscles. One of
the most common external exercises is regulating the triple burner
by lifting your hands up above your head and then moving them
down slowly. These up and down arm movements extend and relax
the internal muscles and thereby increase Qi flow.
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The liver (Yin) and the gall bladder (Yang) are paired organs.
They correspond to Wood in the Five Phases, the direction east, the
spring season, the climatic wind, the color green, the emotion of anger,
the taste of sourness, the goatish odor, and the sound of shouting.
Their point of entry is the eyes. They control the sinews (muscles and
joints), and their health is reflected in the finger and toe nails.
The main function of the gall bladder is storing and excreting
the bile produced by the liver. Together with the heart, the gall
bladder is responsible for decision-making.
The main disease related to the gall bladder is a disorder affect
ing the flow of bile, usually caused by Dampness and Heat. This is
commonly manifested by pain in the region of the liver, an oppressive sensation of fullness in the abdomen, and yellowish eyes, skin,
urine, and tongue.
The gall bladder has never enjoyed serious attention during
Qigong training. Its paired partner the liver however, has received
much more attention.
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The liver (Yin) and the gall bladder (Yang) are considered paired
organs. They correspond to Wood in the Five Phases, the direction
east, the spring season, the climatic condition of wind, the color
green, the emotion of anger, the taste of sourness, the goatish odor,
and the sound of shouting. Their point of entry is the eyes. They
control the sinews (muscles and joints), and their health is reflected
in the finger and toe nails.
The main task of the liver is spreading and regulating Qi
throughout the entire body. Its unique character is flowing and free.
Therefore, depression or frustration can disturb the functioning of
the liver. In addition, the liver is also responsible for storing blood
when the body is at rest. This characteristic, together with its
control over the lower abdomen, makes it the most critical organ in
regards to women's menstrual cycle and sexuality.
Depression or long-term frustration can stagnate the liver's
spreading function and result in continuing depression, a bad
temper, and a painful, swollen feeling in the chest and sides. If this
condition worsens, it may cause disharmony between the liver and
the stomach and/or spleen. This disorder is symbolized by the
"rebellion" of Qi in the latter organs, whereby Qi moves in the opposite direction than is normal. For example, the stomach Qi normally
descends, so rebellious Qi means hiccoughing, vomiting, etc. In the
case of the spleen, the Qi ordinarily moves upward, so rebellious Qi
in this organ means diarrhea.
Depression of the liver Qi is the main cause of many women's
disorders, including menstrual irregularities, swollen and painful
breasts, etc.
One of the most important responsibilities of the liver is the
storage of blood with intended emphasis upon nourishing and moist
ening. Whenever the liver blood is deficient, the liver will not be
able to handle the function of moistening. This is generally shown
as dry and painful eyes with blurred or weak vision, lack of supple
ness or pain in moving the joints, dry skin, dizziness, and infrequent
or spotty menstruation. If the Deficient Liver Yin has become
serious, the conditions Rising Liver Fire or Hyper Liver Yang
Ascending occur. These occurrences are evidenced in ill-temper, restlessness, headache, vertigo, red face and eyes, and a parched mouth.
If the liver Yin is so deficient that it is incapable of securing the liver
Yang, many of the symptoms appear as disorders of the head.
Weakness in the lower joints may also be manifested.
The liver is one of the five Yin organs whose Qi level the Qigong
practitioner wants to regulate. Since the liver and the gall bladder are
directly connected, when the liver's Qi is regulated, the Qi circulating
in the gall bladder will also be regulated. Many methods have been
developed for regulating the liver Qi. Wai Dan Qigong works through
the limbs. For example, when the arms are moved up and down, the
internal muscles surrounding the liver will be moved and the Qi
around the liver will be circulated smoothly. In Nei Dan Qigong, it is
believed that the liver is closely related to your mind. It is also
believed that when your mind is regulated, the Qi circulation in the
liver will be normal and therefore the liver will function properly.
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Important Points
- The spleen, liver, and heart are the organs with the most direct
relationship with the blood. The spleen filters the blood (modifying
the blood's structure), the liver stores the blood, and the heart moves
it. Any problem associated with the blood will involve at least one of
these organs.
- The liver and the kidney are closely related. Their channels
cross in many places. The liver stores blood; the kidney stores
essence. These substances, both of which are Yin, have a consider
able influence on the reproductive functions.
- The heart (upper burner, Fire) and the kidney (lower burner,
Water) keep each other in check and are dependent upon one
another. The spirit of the heart and the essence of the kidneys cooperate in establishing and maintaining human consciousness.
- The spleen's digestive function is associated with the distributive functions of the liver. Disharmony between these two results in
various digestive troubles. The transportive and digestive functions
of the splcen (also called the Middle Qi) depend upon the strength of
the kidney Yang.
- Although the lungs govern Qi, Qi from the lungs must mix with
essence from the kidneys before Original Qi can be produced. The lungs
govern Qi, the liver spreads Qi, and the kidneys provide its basis.
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From the book entitled "Chinese Qigong Massage",
YMAA Publication Center, Jamaica Plain. |
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