Meridians and Acupuncture Points

Flash Mavi concentrates on the athletic and competitive aspects of martial arts.
However, when you learn Taiji or Qi Gong, you should still know a little about meridians and acupuncture points. Modern Taiji and external Qi Gong don’t really require this knowledge, but since it is general knowledge in these areas and essential for traditional Taiji and internal Qi Gong, you should definitely have some TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) knowledge. Find more information about Qi Gong at the Qi Gong main page.

Description: Meridians and Acupuncture Points

Meridians (Jing Luo)
According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Qi (the vital energy of the body) circulates through specific interconnected channels called meridians (Jing Luo). The existence of these meridians has not yet been proven by Western science.

In TCM, it is believed that interruption, blockage, or redirection of the energy flow through these meridians can lead to physical or emotional illnesses. Many meridians run through the body, and some are thought to have a direct influence on your organs. The most important ones are the meridians for:
Lungs, Pericardium, Heart, Large Intestine, Triple Heater, Small Intestine, Kidneys, Spleen, Liver, Stomach, Bladder, Gall Bladder.

For example, if the Lung Meridian suffers a blockage, TCM suggests this can lead to lung malfunction. A malfunction of the lung can also lead to arm problems because the Lung Meridian runs from the shoulder through the arm to the hand. Meridians run through acupuncture points, which you can imagine like “bus stops” for the energy flow.

In TCM, blockages like the one mentioned above are treated with acupuncture, acupressure, etc. Traditional Taiji and internal Qi Gong exercises are supposed to help prevent bad energy flow in the first place.

Modern Taiji, on the other hand, is thought to be mainly for competition and is very athletic (and actually unhealthy for the joints), involving acrobatic jumps and techniques similar to rhythmic gymnastics. External Qi Gong is meant to be a result of improved energy flow from internal Qi Gong exercises.

However, the reality is that Shaolin monks practice both internal and external Qi Gong. Internal Qi Gong exercises are not necessary for performing external Qi Gong demonstrations. During my years of training at a Wushu institute in China, I also observed Qi Gong training methods and practiced them myself for a limited time. I can assure you, the only things you need to break bricks are:
a) Harden your bones and muscles
b) Desensitize your nerves
c) Learn the right technique (for which concentration and coordination are very important)

I’m not saying that internal Qi Gong exercises and traditional Taiji are useless for external Qi Gong. In fact, these exercises are perfect for improving your breathing technique, coordination, and concentration.

Locations: Meridians and Acupuncture Points

Here are the most important meridians and acupuncture points. Of course, there are hundreds more. The ones listed here are used in some Flash Mavi lessons. For more detailed information, please consult TCM-specialized resources.

Meridians

• Bladder Meridian: From the eyes through the front of the head to the back and then to the toes.
• Conception Vessel Meridian: From the Hui Yin up the stomach and chest to the mouth (straight line).
• Gall Bladder Meridian: From the outside of the eyes up over the ears, down behind the ears, up to the forehead, to the back of the neck, down to the toes (inside the body).
• Governing Vessel Meridian: From the Hui Yin up along the spine, through Bai Hui to the top of the forehead. The Conception Vessel Meridian runs up the front of the body while the Governing Vessel runs up the back.
• Heart Meridian: From the armpit through the arm to the little finger.
• Kidney Meridian: From the middle of the foot sole up the leg, through the upper body, to the inner end of the collarbone.
• Large Intestine Meridian: From the pointer finger up the front of the arm to the shoulder, to the spine, back to the shoulder, then up to the side of the nose.
• Liver Meridian: Starts at the big toe, goes to the ankle, then from the left foot ankle through the leg to the liver.
• Lung Meridian: From one inch below the collarbone, down the front of the arm to the thumb.
• Pericardium Meridian: From the outside of the chest muscle through the arm to the middle of the palm.
• Small Intestine Meridian: From the little finger up the arm to the shoulder, through the shoulder blade, up the neck, to the ear, then to the cheekbone and back to the ear.
• Spleen Meridian: From the big toe up the leg to the outside of the chest muscle.
• Stomach Meridian: From the eye down to the chin, up to the forehead, then down the neck and through the body to the second biggest toe.
• Triple Heater Meridian: From the ring finger up to the shoulder, from behind the ears to the outside of the eye.

Acupuncture Points

• Dan Tian: Center of the body, two fingers above the belly button.
• Bai Hui: Top of the head; one hundred meridians run through Bai Hui. "Bai" means “one hundred” in Chinese.
• Hui Yin: Point between the perineum and genitals.
• Lao Gong: Middle of the palm (between middle finger and pointer bone).
• Shang Yang: 1–2 mm from the nail of the pointer finger.
• Yin Tang: Between the eyes on the forehead.
• Tai Yang: One finger width from the outside of the eye.
• Xi Yan: Xi = knee, Yan = eye.

Trainer Advice: Meridians and Acupuncture Points

If you practice external Qi Gong, you can also do internal Qi Gong and Taiji exercises to improve your coordination, concentration, and breathing technique. It is not necessary to believe in energy flow to perform external Qi Gong techniques.

This is only a sketchy article. If you find any major mistakes, please report them.

Related Instructions: Meridians and Acupuncture Points

• Tai Ji
• Yoga
• Martial Arts

Videos: Meridians and Acupuncture Points

None

Fei Yue Wushu Shoes

The only shoe you’ll ever need. Ideal for wushu and acrobatics on hard ground, and perfect for overall foot health.
#barefootshow
#wideshoebox

Check Them Out