There are two basic hand positions represented
in this diagram. These points may be treated together
or individually, on the self or on another, on one
or both feet. Variations include cupping the ankle
so that Laogong is lined up with the tip of the
ankle bone on both the inner and outer aspects and
cupping the bottom of the foot and the upper surface,
or as in this diagram.
Yongquan / Gushing
Spring
Yongquan is the 1st point on the Kidney channel
and is located on the sole of the foot, on the midline,
approximately 1/3 the distance from the base of
the toes to the outer edge of the heel in a depression
when the foot is curled.
Yongquan is the lowest point on the body and is
therefore the main connection with Mother Earth.
As a Jing Well point, according to
Five Elements theory, its effect is particularly
strong at the other end of the channel. The Kidney
Channel ends on the upper chest just below the Clavicle.
This point then would have strong effect on the
upper chest including the Lungs and the Heart. *
Shu points and Mu points.
In general the action of Yongquan is to strongly
drain excess from the entire body all the way to
the head. It is used to revive consciousness in
the case of collapse and it 'calms the mind' in
a wide variety of psycho-emotional disorders from
the relatively mild, agitation, insomnia, poor memory,
phobias, to the more severe murderous rage and madness.
Yongquan's ability to drain excess along its channel
makes it particularly useful for the treatment of
menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats,
insomnia, anxiety and headaches.
Panic attacks, difficulty breathing, constipation,
lumbar pain, difficult urination, pain in the abdomen,
hernia, infertility, impotence, leg pain, pain and
numbness of the feet and a host of other symptoms
due to excess may be treated with this point.
In Qigong, this is one of the points through which
the practitioner learns to breath, thus strengthening
the connection to the earth. It is considered most
important that one be firmly grounded before attempting
to access higher realms.
The other major points in Qigong practice are Qihai
/ Sea of Qi, located on the abdomen below the umbilicus,
also known as the Lower Dantian, Yintang located
between the eyebrows, also known as the Upper Dantian,
and Baihui, located on the top of the head, which
is the connection to Heaven.
These points are also the locations of the 2nd,
6th, and 7th Chakras. How the Chakras may be accessed
through these points will be discussed in another
space.
It is a relatively common practice to treat Baihui
at the top of the head and Yongquan on the soles of
the feet simultaneously in order to balance the entire
body both bilaterally and top and bottom. One needs
to be careful though with this technique as the pull
is very strong in opposite directions and there may
be adverse reactions.
Taixi
/ Supreme Stream
Taixi is the 3rd point on the Kidney
channel and is located in the depression between the
Medial Malleolus (ankle bone) and Achilles Tendon.
The Kidneys house essence, according
to the ancient texts. They are the root of Yin and
Yang of the whole body. The Kidney channel reaches
the Liver, the Heart and the Lungs and therefore has
a profound effect on each of these organs in the case
of disharmony. For example the Kidneys pull Qi down
from above and are therefore important for breathing.
If the Kidney's are deficient one may have trouble
breathing.
Kidney water cools Heart fire. Deficiency
may result in heart fire flaring causing chest pain
or psycho emotional disorders. The Heart stores the
Spirit and Kidney's house Will. When the body is in
harmony the Spirit and Will support each other. When
there is deficiency, Kidney water fails to cool Heart
fire resulting in disturbances of the Spirit. Insomnia,
excess dreaming, poor memory are some of the disharmonies
that may result and which will usually continue until
the imbalance is addressed.
The effect on the body of Kidney deficiency
is wide ranging. The Kidney channel reaches right
up to the head via its connection with the Urinary
Bladder Channel and opens into the ear. Deafness and
Tinnitus (persistent ringing in the ears) are signs
of Kidney deficiency. Chronic sore throats, low grade
toothaches, receding gums, loose teeth, and chronic
low grade headaches and dizziness are all symptoms
of Kidney deficiency.
Taixi is the Yuan Source point of
the Kidney Channel. A Yuan Source point of a channel
is where the Qi of the channel gathers and concentrates.
Taixi, then is considered to be the most important
point for treating all disharmonies related to the
Kidney channel.
From a Reiki perspective this is another
one of those points whose effect on the body, emotions
and spirit is deep and wide ranging.
Zhaohai
/ Shining Sea
Zhaohai is the
6th point on the Kidney channel and is located directly
below the Medial Malleolus (Ankle bone) about 1"
below the base. In Acupuncture this point is often
difficult to locate precisely, but in Reiki this is
not a problem. By covering the ankle with the hand,
usually resting Laogong on the tip of the ankle bone,
this point along with Taixi may be accessed with good
result.
Zhaohai is the
confluent point of Yinqiao extra channel. This is
also known as the Yin Motility Vessel. The Yinqiao
meridian runs from the ankle up the inside of the
leg all the way up the body to the inner Canthus of
the eye. Extraordinary channels store the body's reserve
energy. In China, these extra vessels are usually
accessed only in dire emergencies. In Japanese practice,
though, they are used routinely.
Even so, Zhaohai
is also an important point on the Kidney channel and
is used for a variety of ailments along the channel.
These include, tightness and contraction on the inner
aspect of the leg, tightness in the abdomen, genital
disorders, menstrual problems, swelling and pain in
the throat including 'Plumstone Qi', (hystericus globus),
redness and pain of the eye.
Finally this
point 'calms the spirit.' The Heart houses the Spirit,
while the Kidneys house the Will. When Heart fire
is cooled by Kidney water, Spirit and Will support
each other. When Kidney water fails to cool Heart
fire, the Spirit is disrupted causing a variety of
psychological and emotional disorders with symptoms
like sadness, fright, insomnia and nightmares.
When I was learning
Reiki , the legs and feet were usually by-passed altogether.
As well, Dr. Usui's Handbook does not appear to show
any hand positions for feet and legs. However, I quickly
discovered doing Reiki II's that a great deal hides
out in the legs and feet. While there is no error
in bypassing the legs and feet, you and your client
may be better served when you include them in your
journey.
Self Healing Position
11
Self Healing Mainpage
Roots of Reiki
Roots of Reiki 2
