Meridian Exercise

Meridian exercise is an exercise program for self-healing that is based on the concept in Asian medicine that for total health, Ki (also spelled chi or qi) energy must circulate smoothly through pathways called meridian channels in the body. Meridian exercise programs for self-healing combine stretching, rotation, relaxation, and vibration exercises with proper breathing and focus on the body, making practitioners increasingly sensitive to Ki energy and therefore their bodies’ needs.

Two simple yet effective meridian exercises are “Circulation Exercise” and “Intestine Exercise”. Both techniques help spread Ki energy throughout the body from the lower abdomen, helping to circulate blood and the oxygen it carries, as well as eliminating toxins.

While beneficial for anyone to practice, Circulation Exercise is especially helpful for people who experience high blood pressure, heart disease, rheumatism, or bronchial asthma. It helps to ease the symptoms of thyroid disorders and diseases of the skin as well.

To do Circulation Exercise:

1. Lie on the floor on your back. Extend your arms above your shoulders and your legs above your hips, bending your knees slightly.
2. Relax the body and shake the arms and legs quickly so that the vibration reaches throughout the entire body.
3. Do this for 1-2 minutes, then rest. Repeat 5 times daily. Practice up to 10 minutes per session if you have any of the specific disorders mentioned above.

Intestine Exercise softens intestines and helps remedy constipation and other digestive problems. You can perform the exercise in a variety of positions—sitting, lying down, or standing--any time and any place. It’s best to practice them every day. Combine Intestine Exercise with Abdominal Breathing for maximum benefit. If you experience pain in the intestines during this exercise, stop and gently rub the abdomen in a clockwise motion, massaging the intestines with your palms, until the pain subsides.

To do Intestine Exercise:

1. Place your hands on your abdomen with your thumbs pointing toward the navel and your two index fingers touching together to form a triangle.
2. Push the abdomen out until you feel pressure.
3. Slowly and deeply pull the abdomen back in an effort to touch the spine.
4. Repeat this movement 100 times in a rhythmic pattern. As you become stronger and more comfortable, you can gradually increase the number of repetitions to 300.
5. Repeat this movement 100 times in a rhythmic pattern. As you become stronger and more comfortable, you can gradually increase the number of repetitions to 300.

Meridian exercise is different from general exercise because of its attention to the body’s Ki energy flow. Its synchronous movements can have far-reaching healing benefits. If you maintain a meridian exercise program for self-healing consistently, you can significantly heal the symptoms that cause you distress.