Combining Ayurveda and Acupressure
Simple Self-Help Acupressure Points to Relieve Excess Vata
As
noted in last month's newsletter, Autumn is the season associated with
Vata, because it's a transition between summer and winter. Transition
is the key word here, with changeable weather and changes of
schedules. Our bodies and psyches are more sensitive to our
environment than we might think. We are affected, even if only in
subtle ways.
People who are predominantly Vata tend to be more
vulnerable to change and the weather that comes this time of year.
It's often dry, possibly windy (especially in places like southern
California), and the changing quality of the light and shortening of
the days becomes obvious. We experience changes in our schedule,
returning from vacations to school and work. And with all of this
going on, we may experience signs of excess Vata, such as:
Anxiety, nervousness
Feeling of tension in the stomach
Inability to fall asleep at night due to racing or scattered thoughts
Constipation
Dry skin and/or dry hair
Trembling, shakiness
Spaced out feelings, inability to concentration, fuzzy thinking
Migrating aches and pains
In
this newsletter, you'll be shown some helpful acupressure points and
flows which may help ground and center you, reducing Vata. This month,
we're going to focus on relieving anxiety, nervousness, shakiness and
feeling spaced out. (November's issue will focus on digestive support.)
Central Channel Flow to Relieve Anxiety
A
nice flow to do just before getting out of bed in the morning, or just
after you go to bed at night is the Central Channel. This is one of
the Extraordinary Vessels, energy flows in the body that operate at a
deeper level than the 12 organ meridians. In fact, all 12 organ
meridians flow through the Central Channel, which flows all the time
(the other Extraordinary Vessels only flow when specific points are
stimulated). The Central Channel helps to keep the chi flowing
smoothly throughout the body, and especially brings the energy up the
back, over the head and down the front of the body. It's a very
calming, grounding channel.
Here's how to do the Central Channel flow: (to view an illustration of the points for this flow, click here.)
1.
Laying on your back, put your left fingertips at CV 2 and your right
hand at GV 20. Relax, and imagine the energy at these points beginning
to connect.
2. Keeping your left fingertips where they are,
move your right fingertips to GV 24.5 (the Third Eye point), letting
them rest there for a few breaths. From there, move your right
fingertips to CV 17, the Sea of Tranquility point. This is a very
calming point combination.
3. Then move your right fingertips
to CV6, midway between your navel and CV2. After a few moments, place
both sets of fingertips on CV2, and take a few deep cleansing
breathes. Finally, draw both hands up just a bit so both sets of
fingertips rest over CV 6, and rest in this position for as long as you
wish.
Other useful points: (to see these illustrated, click here).
Heart 7 (H7) - "Spirit Gate" - relieves emotional imbalances, fear,
nervousness, anxiety and forgetfulness. In TCM terms, for a person to
fall asleep, the "bird" must come down out of the high branches of the
tree to its nest in the heart, which makes this point useful for
falling asleep at night. Located just underneath the hand in the wrist
"bracelet" on the pinkie side of the hand, palm side.
Pericardium 6 (P6) - "Inner Gate" - Best known for relieving nausea by
correcting a reversed flow of Stomach chi, it also can be used to
relieve anxiety and palpitations. Located approx. 2 of your fingers'
width down from the wrist "bracelet" right between the tendons.
Bladder 10 (BL10) - "Heavenly Pillar" - Excellent for relieving stress,
insomnia, eye strain, stiff neck. Located at the top of the muscles of
the neck right next to the spine, about 2 fingers' width below the
occiput.
Triple Warmer 15 (TW15) - "Heavenly Rejuvenaton" -
relieves nervous tension and stiff shoulder muscles. One of the points
that allows excess energy to drop down out of the head and into the
body. This one is easy to find on yourself; just place your left hand
over right shoulder area (or visa versa) and press your fingertips into
the lower edge of the upper trapezius, which is right there.
I invite you to experiment with these points. Have fun, relax and enjoy this beautiful season!
Wishing you health and happiness,
Jan Fiore
Important disclaimer:
All
information contained on this website is educational, given for
purposes for self-care only and is not meant to take the place of
standard medical treatment.
Ms. Fiore does not diagnose or prescribe
but offer information about alternative healing philosophies, leaving
the choice of how this information is used up to the individual. The
product descriptions on this web page contain information on the
traditional healing properties and uses of various plants.
This information has not been evaluated
by the FDA and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, but
only to apprise the reader of some of the many applications of the
Ayurvedic healing system and other holistic approaches, the possible
uses of plants, herbs and products for wellness.
The information and products listed on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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