As we shift from winter into spring, our meditations from the winter stillness reveal the sprouts of inspiration that want to come forth. One of the best tools to still the mind in meditation is the ancient qigong practice of YI Qi Li, guiding energy with consciousness. The meridian pathways, which are the energy channels of the organs, give us a simple map to guide our Qi (energy). When I sit to meditate and my mind is active and unruly, I tame and center it by breathing up and down the meridians of the organs that are running the strongest in that season. Each season, according to Chinese medicine, has a pair of organs that are energetically in high tide. When we align our mind and breath to guide the energy like a golden thread of light up and down this pair of meridians, it quiets the mind and creates an even smooth flow of energy. This not only calms the mind but has a direct effect on the flow of energy, which affects our emotions and physical well-being.

Both Chinese medicine and Yoga agree that where the mind goes the energy flows. Our health depends on a smooth even flow of Qi, not too fast or excessive, and not too slow or deficient. Think of an organ as a lightbulb, when there’s too much electricity (Qi) the light bulb, will burn out, and when there’s not enough electricity it will flicker. The light bulb, like our organs, needs a smooth flow to operate efficiently.

Therefore Yi Qi Li has a multi-beneficial effect on quieting our minds, and creating a smooth flow of energy that has a direct effect on our emotions and physical body! Let’s review how each pair of organs affects us both physically and emotionally.

WINTER: Water Element

~Inhale up the KIDNEY meridian

~Exhale down the BLADDER meridian

During the water element of the winter, the kidney and bladder Qi are running the strongest. When the Qi is smooth and efficient we feel a sense of willpower, which makes sense as we need the endurance to get us through the winter. The quiet stillness that comes in the winter allows for our intuition to come forth, so we can see what wants to grow and manifest in the spring. When the kidney and bladder Qi is maladapted we suffer from fear and insecurity, and physically we are affected by achy joints, bone loss, hearing loss (as the ears are the sense doors to the kidneys) as well as tinnitus, vertigo, and premature aging.

SPRING: Wood Element

**~Inhale up the LIVER meridian**
**~Exhale down the GALLBLADDER meridian**

During the wood element of the spring, the liver and gallbladder’s Qi are up front and center. The liver is known as the General, as it is responsible for an even flow of energy through our entire being. When their Qi is smooth and efficient we feel inspired, we can move with ease and grace, and have an easygoing disposition. When the liver Qi is maladapted emotionally we feel frustration, anger, and irritability. Physically, our eyes are the sense door to the liver, as the seer is inspired when the energy is efficient. When imbalanced it shows up in the eyes as cataracts and/or poor vision.

EARLY SUMMER: Fire Element

~Inhale up the SMALL INTESTINE meridian

~Exhale down the HEART meridian

The fire element of the early summer corresponds to our heart and small intestine energy, as well as a second more elusive pair of energetic organs known as the pericardium, the protector of the heart, and the triple warmer, which is the energy that governs the metabolism. When in a balanced flow the Qi of these organs provides us with a sense of peace and joy, as the fire element is the full blooming of yang energy. When maladapted we feel anxious, manic, lonely, and depressed. Heart disease and heart attacks show up as physical dis-ease of the heart, and prolonged diarrhea shows up when the small intestine Qi is excessive.

LATE SUMMER: Earth Element

~Inhale up the SPLEEN meridian

~Exhale down the STOMACH meridian

The earth element of the late summer’s energy relates to the spleen and stomach. The energy of the earth is grounded and balanced. It’s the only time of year when the yin and yang energy is balanced. The yang energy rises in the spring and early summer, the yin energy moves inward and downward in the autumn and winter. When the spleen and stomach’s energy is smooth and even, we benefit from having a grounded balanced nature that’s hard-working, can laugh easily, and is generous, and nourishing. When our earth energy falls out of balance we often become worried and full of doubt. We can become ‘stuck in the mud’ and have a hard time moving and become pensive (analysis to paralysis) and ruminating, turning inward, and self-absorbed.

AUTUMN: Metal Element

~ Inhale up the LARGE INTESTINE meridian

~ Exhale down the LUNG meridian

The metal element of the autumn connects to our lung and large intestine energy. The metal element has strong integrity, which we benefit from with strong lung Qi. The metal energy elicits a sense of solid discipline and emotional endurance. As the energy of autumn is moving downward, we see how the natural world is letting go, releasing the leaves from the trees. We mirror the natural world, so we too are in a period of letting go of the beauty of summer, which elicits past memories, bringing up sadness and grief, which are held in the lungs. This is the time of year to strengthen our lungs with breathing techniques (pranayama) to process our grief and let go.

Meridian Flow

In the Meridian Flow practice, yoga poses and qigong sets are chosen to stimulate the Qi flow through the meridians. This gives us an acupressure treatment, so we can benefit from the virtues of each season’s efficient Qi flow. While in the poses and during meditation we add the Yi Qi Li technique to double down on the smooth flow of energy to make it strong and balanced. This is a form of energetic medicine we give ourselves by increasing focused concentration. This way the mind doesn’t wander but has a specific pathway to move our Qi through the meridians which are described as golden threads of light. This calms anxiety and creates homeostasis. All while building strength and flexibility around the meridians so we can move with ease and grace.

Strengthening our focus and level of concentration is the 6th limb of the eight-fold path of yoga known as Dharana. This provides us with a Zen-like mind and soothes anxiety. Yi Qi Li is a wonderful tool to use when meditating, it can be done in any location to center our minds. When I’m anxious about traveling I’ll breathe through the meridians. When I’m in the dentist's chair, I breathe up and down the meridians to calm my nervous system.

Late winter is the time to clear the mind so that our intuition can guide us to focus on spring growth. The energy of inspiration is alive in nature during the spring, and we are part of nature, so utilizing this practice to focus will serve us well on many different layers of our being. Cultivating a calm, centered mind and a strong flexible body helps us heal chronic pain and anxiety. It’s a sure method that has helped so many students go from a lot of pain and anxiety to minimal pain and a sense of calm confidence.

We are ultimately responsible for our own healing.

The Meridian Flow practice transcends chronic pain, anxiety, and autoimmune issues naturally.

You can read more about the seasonal practices, meditations, and breathwork in my recent book The Empowered Yogi, Transcending the Chronic Pain and Anxiety Associated with Autoimmune Conditions.

If you feel called towards these seasonal teachings, meditations, and meridian flow practices, which help us heal naturally from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and autoimmune issues, come join our Meridian Flow program to find relief and freedom.

If you're a seasoned yogi or yoga teacher and would like to learn and implement these practices join the Master's Path or 300-hour Teacher Training course.

~ The Meridian Flow program is for those who may be newer to yoga and suffer from chronic pain, chronic anxiety, and autoimmune issues. This type of program has been recommended by rheumatologists for their patients who want a natural approach to healing their issues. We are ultimately responsible for our own healing, and this program puts you in the driver's seat to take control, so you’re no longer a victim but an example of how to heal yourself. You’ll be practicing with others in similar situations that want to take an empowered approach to relieve chronic ailments and feel free in your body and mind. Book a call with Maggie here to see if this program is right for you.

~ The Master's Path program is for seasoned yogis and yoga teachers who want to uplevel their practice and offerings. Learning this seasonal practice of the Meridian Flow, seasonal qigong sets, and Kundalini kriyas is the best way to keep our own practice and teachings fresh and seasonally appropriate. You’ll continue your learning with a support group of other yogis who meet seasonally and inspire each other. Learning new things is one of the best ways to keep the mind bright and youthful.

~ The 300-hour teacher training is the same program as the Master's Path but added teaching support with our Teachers Inner Circle to learn how to deliver this practice with grace and confidence and fulfill the requirements from the Yoga Alliance to obtain the 500-hour certification.

The Meridian Flow classes are unique and for all levels. If you're just coming back to yoga or new to it, check out the Monday 5:30 class, and the Tuesday and Thursday classes.

Meridian Flow 30 min Basics Monday 5:30

The Meridian Flow class Monday at 6:15

Meridian Yin and Qigong Tuesdays at noon

Meridian Basics Thursdays 11:15.

From my heart light to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie

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