The Women Warriors

[RawMahdiyah]

The condition of our meridians (see http://thewomenwarriors.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=105) directly affects our physical and psychological health. In a very practical way, we can see that the quality of our lives depends on the steady abundance of our energy. But we should be concerned not just with the quantity of our energy, but with how well it flows along certain meridian channels.
Emotional, dietary, and life-style patterns all affect the flow of energy in the body. We can correct imbalances and blockages of energy by changing our ways of eating and by doing meridian exercises regularly.
Below is a series if exercises designed to improve the flow of ki (chi, orgone, prana, ie. Life Force Energy). These exercises improve the function of the organs related to the meridians, as well as enhancing the emotional and psychological factors associated with each meridian. By doing these exercises, you will be able to diagnose the condition of your meridians. Stagnation of the flow along a specific meridian will show itself as stiffness or resistance to the exercise. Suppleness and flexibility reveal good ki flow and a well-functioning meridian.
Breathe deeply and steadily while doing each exercise. Try to remain balanced and relaxed. When you have reached the maximum stretching point for a specific exercise, hold that posture for a three-breath count, and then relax. Try to visualize and feel the energy flow along the meridians that you are exercising.
Very important: do not push yourself too far beyond the point that your body is comfortable achieving. Do these exercises gently and purposefully. If you perform them regularly, you will quickly become more flexible and your health will improve noticeably. But be patient with yourself.


The Lung and Large-Intestine Meridians:

Place your hands behind your back. Cross them, left hand above the right, clasp them together with your thumbs. Bend forward while lifting your arms as high as possible. Hold this position, relax your muscles, and take two breaths. While you are holding this position, try to visualize ki rushing through your body from head to foot, especially through your shoulders, chest, and arms. You will likely feel some tension in your chest and shoulders and the backs of your legs. Relax completely. This exercise stretches the lungs and large-intestine meridians. Do three or four repetitions, or as many as you can without straining.


The Stomach and Spleen Meridians

Kneel on the floor with your buttocks resting on your heels. Fold your hands together and lift them over your head as high as possible. Slowly allow your body to bend straight back until your back rests on the floor. Hold this position for two breaths and then return to your original position. You can also do this exercise with your palms facing towards the ceiling/sky. This exercise is wonderful for the somach and spleen meridians. Do three or four repititions, or as many as you can without straining.


The Heart and Small-Intestine Meridians

Sit on the floor. Place both soles of your feet together and bend and spread your knees to bring your feet as close to your body as possible. Hold your feet with your hands. Place your elbows on your knees and try to touch your head to your toes. At the same time, try to have your knees touch the floor. Ideally, you should be able to touch your head to your toes while your knees touch the floor. Do not strain. Reach your maximum stretching point and hold that posture for two breaths. Relax. Inability to touch your head to your toes while your knees touch the floor indicates problems in the heart and small intestines. Regular use of this exercise will improve the function of both organs.


The Kidney and Bladder Meridians

While sitting on the floor, stretch your legs straight out and touch your toes with your hands. At the maximum stretching point, hold the position, relax your muscles, and take two breaths. Feel the ki flow through your body, especially along your back and legs.


The Heart Constrictor and Triple Heater Meridians

Sit in the lotus position or half lotus (with the sides of your feet resting on the floor, rather than the more difficult posture that places your feet on the inside of your legs). Cross your arms and take hold of the opposite knee with each hand. Bend forward and rest your head on the floor. While holding this position, relax all your muscles, visualize the ki flowing through your body, especially in the back of your upper body and arm, and take two deep breaths.


The Liver and Gallbladder Merdidians

Sit on the floor. Stretch your legs out straight on the side, as wide apart as possible. Fold your hands together and stretch your arms over your head, then bend to the side and try to touch your toes with the insides of your hands. At the maximum stretching point relax, take two deep breaths, and resume a normal posture. This exercise stretches the liver and gallbladder meridians.



Reguar use of these exercises/stretches will make your body strong yet flexible, and will enable you to evaluate your own condtition. You will develop excellent muscle tone because ki will flow in greater abundance through-out your body. Yoga philosophy has long maintained that flexibility of the body reflected in flexibility of mind and spiritual outlook. Resistance in the body reflects stubborn attitudes about life. As you perform these exercises regularly, you will notice not only greater vitality and flexibility, but also clearer thinking and more creativity. As your body becomes more flexible, so too will your mind. Where once you believed a particular problem was unsolvable, suddenly you will realize new possiblities inherent in the situation. You will begin to feel a greater sense of opportunity when you face challenges. In short, as you become stronger and more flexible, your life will seem more manageable, and joyfull.

Peace

Reading The Body, by Ohashi.



RawMahdiyah
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"Cast down what is in your right hand. It will swallow up what they have wrought. Verily they have wrought only a sorcerer's stratagem; and a sorcerer does not succeed (no matter) from whatsoever (skilled group) he may come." (Quran-20:69)