What is Ki?
What are meridians?
What is yin and yang?
What are tsubos?
What is the Five Element Theory?
What is dietary therapy?
What is Ki? TOP
Ki is the basic life force. It is what animates life and is
found every where on earth, without it life would not exist.
Ki is not static, it is the energy associated with movement,
whether it is walking or the movement of blood. In the body,
it is a constantly changing flow of energy, which is affected
by our moods, stress, illness, injury and lifestyle. It flows
in the meridians and affects all aspects of the physical body
as well as emotional and mental states. In a healthy body, Ki
flows freely but the pressures of everyday life can affect the
flow of Ki, causing restrictions or blockage in the meridians
that may lead to illness and stress.
What are meridians? TOP
Meridians are the channels or pathways that carry Ki and Blood
through the body carrying nourishment and strength. The meridian
system unifies all parts of the body. Meridian theory assumes
that blockages at points on the pathway can create disharmony
along the pathway and also disharmony with the connecting
organ. The meridian system consists of twelve key meridians
with associated yin and yang organs. (lung and large intestine,
stomach and spleen, heart and small intestine, kidney and
bladder, gall bladder and liver, pericardium and triple heater).
What is Yin and Yang? TOP
In nature everything has both and Yin and Yang quality. These
qualities are in a continuous relationship and one cannot
exist without the other. Yin is more a more feminine, receptive,
nourishing and relaxing energy whilst Yang is a more masculine,
active, outgoing, consuming energy. Nothing is completely
yin or yang, everything is relative. Yin and Yang is the basis
of Oriental medicine and is used to understand relationships
of the body and the external environment.
What are tsubos? TOP
Tsubo is often translated as "acupoint" or "Acupuncture
Point". Tsubo are points on the meridians that can be
stimulated in order to relieve pain and balance Ki. The character
for tsubo originated in China over 3,000 years ago. It literally
translates as "jar". On the body a Tsubo is shaped
like a tiny jar or deep pore. The application of pressure
to the appropriate tsubo in Shiatsu ensures the release of
stagnating ki, allowing it to flow through the body.
What is the Five Element Theory? TOP
The five element (or five phase theory) is used by many Shiatsu
practitioners as a diagnostic tool to understand their clients
physically, psychologically and spiritually.
According to the Five Element theory, Ki which animates the
universe can be subdivided into five different but interconnected
phases: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. As symbols of
Nature, they relate to the energetic quality of such things
as the seasons, colours, flavours and emotions. Each element
is associated with two meridians that are yin/yang partners.
The elements follow the natural cycles of nature and each
element is associated with a different time of day. For example:
the fire element relates to the energy of the middle of the
day when the sun is at its peak.
The Wood Element
The liver and gall bladder meridians are governed by the Wood
element and is associated with initiating action and the energy
of the morning. It gives the ability to plan, control and
assert oneself. The emotion associated with it is anger.
The Fire Element
The fire element governs two meridian pairs : the heart and
small intestine meridian, and the heart protector and the
triple heater. This element is associated with the middle
of the day when energy is at its peak. It represents our self-identity
and celebration. The emotions associated with it are Joy and
Love.
The Earth Element
The spleen and stomach meridians are governed by the Earth
element, which is associated with the late afternoon and a
waning in activity. It relates to our ability to concentrate
and analyse. The emotion associated with it is pensiveness.
The Metal Element
The lung and large intestine meridians are governed by the
Metal element, which is associated with evening and a balance
between activity and rest. It enables us to know our boundaries
and when it is appropriate to take in and let go. The emotion
associated with it is grief.
The Water Element
The kidney and bladder meridians are governed by the Water
element, which is associated with night-time and rest. It
provides us with the instinct for survival and procreation.
The emotion associated with it is fear but this element is
also the source of courage and endurance.
What is dietary therapy? TOP
In Chinese medicine the human being is seen as a small working
body of the universe. The same natural laws govern the movement
of the stars and planets, the weather and seasons, govern the
human body. Dietary therapy works hand in hand with Shiatsu
touching on the needs for nourishment, vitality of the spirit
and clarity of the mind to live a life of harmony, awareness
and connectedness. Some therapists use dietary therapy as an
adjunct in Shiatsu treatment plans. Dietary therapy assists
in the growth of interconnectedness of the human to its inner
and outer landscape by developing a greater appreciation of
nature's food sources. The finely woven textures and flavours
stimulate, nourish and strengthen the body's Ki (vital energy)
and blood resource so life can be more harmonious.
The salty taste resonates with the Kidney and gives foundation
and depth to the body with the richness of black foods.
The bitter flavour is given to the Heart to stimulate the flow
of blood and Qi with the potency of red foods.
The sour flavour is given to the Liver to activate the free
flow of Qi throughout the whole body in harmony with the colour
green.
The natural sweet flavour of food (which does not mean sugar)
enters the Spleen to nourish and support its functions with
blood, the colour of the food is predominantly yellow, orange.
The pungent flavour of food is associated with the Lung for
dispersing and moving the Qi and its colour is white.
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