The Meridian System

In the human body, the chi flows through what is considered to be a collection channels, also known as meridians. These were mapped out thousands of years ago by the brilliant physicians of ancient China and they are still referred to and used today in clinical practice by thousands of acupuncturists, masseurs, herbalists and healers all over the world. Fundamental to Chinese philosophy, is the concept of energy or Chi. Chinese regard every phenomenon of the universe, including humanity, as a manifestation of this energy.

Some of these channels are large, and flow through major organs of the body, from which they derive their names. So, for example, we have the liver channel, which originates in the toes and then flows up the body through the liver itself, finishing in the chest. There is a bladder channel, running along the back, and a lung channel that flows from the chest through the arms to the thumbs. Altogether, there are fourteen major channels. There are also numerous minor channels and many more even smaller, capillary-like ones, all of which help to circulate the chi around the body. The collective name for all the channel pathways is the meridian system, and through this special medium all the cells, bones, muscles and organs are constantly fed and stimulated by life-giving energy.

Our own vital energy, chi, is conducted through the body in these channels or pathways called meridians. These are not blood or nerve systems. Rather they make an invisible network that links together the fundamental substances such as chi, blood, fluids and organs. They connect the interior of the body to the exterior.

The meridian system is made up of twelve regular meridians that correspond to each of the five yin and six yang organs and to the pericardium (the outer muscle of the heart). There are two other major meridians, the governing vessel, the du mai and the conception vessel, the ren mai. The governing vessel is the central control meridian, which governs the yang organs. It begins at the hui yin point, runs up the spine to the bai hui point and terminates at the upper palate. The conception vessel governs the yin organs. It runs up the front of the body from the hui yin to the chin.

The yang organs include the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and pericardium. The yin organs include the stomach, gall bladder, bladder, small and large intestines. The kidneys are both yin and yang. In a healthy body, chi flows harmoniously through the meridians with a correct balance of yin and yang. If, for any reason such as stress, this flow is blocked, the balance is upset and illness results. The exercise of Tai Chi affects the whole body, not just the individual parts. The body and mind are regarded as an integrated unity and any imbalance of energy affects the whole body.