Shiatsu Massage & Summer’s Impact on Health Pt. 2

Hi, there ok, I’m back to finish off the article that began here. I created a composite person “Julia,” a woman in her 20’s. In the previous post, I highlighted words that jumped out as we discussed her health and emotional state. They are:

* stammering

* very jovial, she laughs a lot

* anxiety

* restless sleep

* worry that things will get better

* overwhelmed and has trouble assimilating new info

First check energy flow in Heart/Heart Governor meridians, as the stammering, and what Chinese Medicine calls “excessive joy” show by the constant nervous laughter indicate those meridians. The Stomach/Spleen meridians are also indicated as they relate to over thinking, worry and using the mind a lot. You see heart/ht. governor as mentioned in earlier post is likened to the energy of fire and is most under stress in the summer. The stomach/spleen meridian has the energy of earth. In five element theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, fire nourishes earth.

Remember, these theories are based on the holistic premise that our bodies mirror the natural elements. So the ancients developed these theories from intense observation and trial and error over thousands of years. They related the observation that fire burns and creates ashes which then nourishes the earth. And saw correlations in the body’s systems.

Using these concepts her symptoms make sense, fire precedes earth in the energy flow, the former “nourishes” the latter. That quality of nourishing, the ancients related to that of a mother and her child. If the energy of the mother (Fire in this case) is not strong, the child will also be weak (earth.) This can lead to a variety of seemingly unrelated health issues that this client brings in. The particular meridians will then contribute to feelings of anxiety (heart) and insecurity (earth.)

The final step is to do what is called a hara diagnosis. Basically the shiastu therapist, touches the abdomen where specific regions correlate to each meridian (energy channel.)

Then one can begin to treat the most kyo (lowest energy) meridian. Since the energy flows are connected treating the most deficient area, best nourishes the entire system. Julia will most likely feel very relaxed and a bit tired the first day. And often by next day feel great, energized grounded and calmer than usual. Over time with continued shiatsu, this begins to be her set point as the body comes to it’s own balance.

Got questions email me: yoginikalavati@gmail.com.