Acupressure for Yin Yoga: Nourish your Soul with HT 7 Spirit Gate

“The heart is the sovereign of all organs and represents the consciousness of one’s being. It’s responsible for intelligence, wisdom and spiritual transformation.” – Huang Di Nei Jing

 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that the heart houses the Spirit.

 

Cultivate awareness of your emotions

The Heart meridian, emperor of all organs, controls blood, circulation and emotions. When heart chi is strong and steady, it controls the emotions. If it is weak and wavering, the emotions rebel and prey upon the heart. This can then cause agitation in the mind, heart and body and it may lead to insomnia.

 

The intelligence system of the heart

In Chinese medicine, perception resides in the heart, not the brain like Western medicine. If the heart chi is deficient, the mind- body connection is challenged and the mind loses its command over the body. Interestingly, in Chinese, the words for heart (xīn) is also used for mind (xīnshén).

 

The heart has its own intelligence system. With a branch connecting to the small intestine, it is no surprise that our gut feelings resonate so deeply in our hearts. The heart has its own receptors, its own magnetic force, its own nervous system that sends information to the neocortex. The electricity emanating from one person’s heart can be detected by others. (McCraty R., 2003, The Energetic Heart: Biolectromagnetic Interactions Within and Between People)

 

Connection to our inner and outer speech

Connected to the tongue muscle and speech, it is worthwhile contemplating our inner dialogue. Are you kind when you talk to yourself? Are you holding back on fully expressing yourself? Not speaking your truth dims the Soul.

 

Enemies of the Heart are: hate, craving, jealousy, longing, distractions, unclear direction.

Friends of the Heart are: meditation, journaling, yoga, positive environment.

What feels good to your Spirit?

 

What is AcuYin?

AcuYin is acupressure during our Yin practice. It helps stimulate chi flow along the meridians, which supports the body’s innate ability to heal. It can enhance our experience of inner, subtle sensations and helps nourish the chi, our life force energy. Acupoints are easily accessible points on your body that have a concentrated high flow of chi. They can also be used as a stand-alone practice to support your health and help manage common ailments.

 

Here we explore the Heart 7 point called Spirit Gate.

 

Benefits of HT7 point

Stimulating this point may help:

– alleviate insomnia

– ease muddle thinking

– soothe emotional unrest

– calm anxiety and palpitations

 

How to find it

HT7 is located in the lower part of the wrist crease, in the hollow space between the pisiform, the ulna and on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.

 

See my quick video here : Press or massage this point for 1 or 2 min, especially if you are having trouble sleeping.

 

 

Yin poses that nourish the Heart meridian

Open wings, Reclined Butterfly, Melting heart, Sphinx, Twisted Child

Any poses with the arms up or wide open will stimulate the heart chi.

 

 

What do you need to do to nourish your spirit?