yoga & Chinese medicine
I am not a Traditional Chinese Medicine therapist, but I was trained to apply its core principles to yoga by a teacher who is.
I have been integrating TCM applications into yoga during my sessions with students for some time. I’m aware the little I know is the tip of an iceberg, and I’m going to dig deeper into this ancient wisdom that fascinates me so much.
Here is a primer of some key concepts.
yin & Yang
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has ancient origins.
Rooted in Taoist philosophy, its principles and theories differ completely from those of Western science.
A key concept of TCM is that of QI. Similar to the Indian concept of Prana or “vital energy”, it has been defined as: "matter on the verge of becoming energy" and "energy on the verge of becoming matter".
The natural process of change that we observe in nature, as in ourselves, is understood as a dynamic balance between Yin and Yang — two energetic aspects of reality, constantly transforming and influencing one another.
Yin is the passive, calm, cool, introspective aspect; it is being.
Yang is the active, dynamic, warm, extroverted one: it is doing.
It is easy to see how modern life pushes, and demands for, far too much Yang — both at work and in out leisure time, almost everything we do is activity.
With Yin yoga and other applications of TCM into yoga practice, we aim to restore the balance between Yin and Yang, essential to keep and recover a healthy state.
the five meridians
In Chinese Medicine, the Meridians are energetic channels that connect to the internal Organs through access points that emerge near the surface of the skin.
Acupuncture and acupressure — the latter consisting of compression or tapping on a small area of the skin— act on these points (acupuncture or acupressurepoints or AC points).
The prolonged stimulus of a Yin Yoga pose is said to improve the circulation of energy in the Meridians, which is a fundamental requirement for overall well-being.
According to a TCM theory, there are five main Meridians, each one represented by a natural element: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, Fire.
Twelve primary Organs correspond to these Meridians.
the organs
In TCM, the Organs do not always correspond exactly to their Western namesakes and their physiological function.
For example, the transformation of food into energy (digestion in Western terms) has the Spleen as its principal organ.
Each Organ is also attributed a Yin or Yang character:
Yin Organs are Spleen, Lungs, Kidneys, Liver, Heart + Pericardium)
Yang Organs are Stomach, Gallbladder, Bladder, Large Intestin, Small Intestine + Triple Burner.
Mini Glossary