Class Teachings: Channels

• 12 primary meridians as interference patterns: In this lineage the 12 primary meridians emerge geometrically as interference patterns (four on each of three circles across eight slices). (Hiltbrand)
• 8 extraordinary vessel treatment guidelines: Massage then needle the opening point unilaterally, few needles with vibrating technique; close with the contralateral paired point; then add other points. (Shea)
• Ancestral sinew / diaphragm: Neck and shoulder points calm the shen; the diaphragm may be the true canopy of the organs; release ancestral sinews in a specific direction. (Yuen)
• Bladder & Kidney divergent channels: Bladder divergent begins at BL-40; Kidney divergent begins at KI-10, goes to BL-40, up to the low back, then loops into the Dai Mai (BL-32). (Yuen) → UB-40 Weizhong, KI-10 Yingu, UB-32 Ciliao, UB-23 Shenshu
• Bladder/Kidney divergent: Diverges at BL-40, enters sacrum, connects bladder and kidneys, runs along the spine (Huatuojiaji latency), rejoins at BL-10; its points boost back-pain treatments. (Pannell) → UB-40 Weizhong, UB-10 Tianzhu
• Bladder–Kidney divergent (1st confluence) & Dai Mai: Kidney divergent from KI-10 to BL-40, up to BL-23, wraps into the Dai Mai connecting Ren, Du and Kidney; frequent UTIs or hemorrhoids may be displaced latency. (Yuen) → KI-10 Yingu, UB-40 Weizhong, UB-23 Shenshu, DU-1 Changqiang
• Channel sweep sequence: Self-massage/qigong sweep follows the 12 channels in order (LU, LI, ST, SP, HT, SI, KI to BL-23, BL down legs, PC, SJ, GB down the sides). (Alexander)
• Channel systems in the Ling Shu: Ling Shu ch.10 gives the primary and luo channels, ch.11 the divergent (jing bie) channels, ch.13 the sinew channels — hence it is called the Zhen Jing. (Yuen)
• Channels into the brain; wind points: Only three primary channels enter the brain (Liver, Gallbladder, Bladder); only LV-2 and LV-7 really affect wind, while most wind points are on the Gallbladder. (Yuen) → LIV-2 Xingjian, LIV-7 Xiguan
• Chong Mai (postnatal Chong): The original central-axis Chong cannot be needled; the postnatal Chong emerges at ST-30, follows the Kidney channel into the chest, and is the Sea of the zang-fu. (Yuen) → ST-30 Qichong
• Chong Mai (sea of blood): For low red-blood-cell counts, palpate the Chong along the rectus abdominis (KI-11 to KI-21), find the weak point and apply moxa. (Yuen) → KI-11 Henggu, KI-21 Youmen
• Chong Mai + Yin Wei Mai pairing (SP-4 + PC-6): For heart pain, combine Chong (Sea of Blood) with Yin Wei using their opening points SP-4 Gongsun and PC-6 Neiguan, then add other points. (Yuen) → SP-4 Gongsun, PC-6 Neiguan
• Chong Mai and nourishment: Chong bridges Ren and Du, distributing essence to spleen/stomach function; check Chong and Ren in GI issues, especially after disrupted early bonding or breastfeeding. (Lewis)
• Chong Mai as Vajra force; Shaoyang qi as psychic/ministerial fire: The Chong Mai is a vajra-like force; the fire the dragon breathes is Shaoyang qi — psychic or ministerial fire, analogous to Tummo and Shakti. (Hiltbrand)
• Chong Mai trajectories: Chong relates to arterial pulses (ST-42, ST-9, femoral); its first trajectory runs pubic symphysis to xiphoid along the Kidney channel (ST-30, SP-12, KI-11) for reproduction. (Shea) → SP-4 Gongsun
• Chong Mai trajectory (ST-30 → KI-11 → KI-21): Chong qi emerges at ST-30 and follows the Kidney channel from KI-11 to KI-21, showing Earth controlling the Kidney. (Yuen) → ST-30 Qichong, KI-11 Henggu, KI-21 Youmen
• Dai Mai (belt vessel): When the Dai Mai is stuck, Yang Wei lacks yang to expel pathogens: open with GB-41 and needle GB-26/27/28, sliding under the tendon edge at GB-26. (Yuen) → GB-41 Zulinqi, GB-26 Daimai, GB-27 Wushu, GB-28 Weidao
• Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) — reservoir of old injuries: Old injuries swept beneath awareness collect in the subconscious basin and the body's hollows (major joints), where they fester. (Lewis) → GB-41 Zulinqi, GB-26 Daimai, GB-27 Wushu, GB-28 Weidao
• Dai Mai + Da Bao (SP-21) for vascular complications: For diabetic vascular disease, combine the Dai with SP-21 Da Bao (Great Luo of the Spleen), linking Spleen–Kidney below and Spleen–Heart above. (Rabinowitz) → SP-21 Dabao
• Dai Mai as reservoir of 'psychic phlegm': The Dai Mai binds unresolved Jing-level wounds beneath awareness, which collect in the hollows, joints and pelvic basin and stagnate into pathology. (Lewis)
• Dai Mai for diabetes: Opening the Dai reduces visceral fat and accesses the pancreas (LV-13, GB-26–28); Li Shizhen: moxa Ren-6, then GB-26, and Du-20 to raise yang. (Rabinowitz) → LIV-13 Zhangmen, GB-25 Jingmen, GB-26 Daimai, GB-27 Wushu, GB-28 Weidao, REN-6 Qihai, DU-20 Baihui
• Dai Mai — original vs postnatal: The original Dai lets yin become yang and yang become yin; the Kidney divergent's 'Dai' is not GB-26/27/28, which is Li Shizhen's later postnatal Dai. (Yuen) → GB-26 Daimai, GB-27 Wushu, GB-28 Weidao
• Diaphragm as organ of repression / Dai Mai: The diaphragm (governed by liver and gallbladder) is the wall between unconscious and conscious; repression depletes qi and its friction makes heat that agitates spirit.
• Du Mai & Ren Mai separating: Eyes rolling up, mouth falling open and neck extending at death are yin and yang separating where Du Mai and Ren Mai meet. (Lewis)
• Du Mai and the brain/HPA axis: Du-16 to Du-17 for the hypothalamus–pituitary axis (Yintang can be added); Du-20 and Yintang for the pineal; Du-4 for the adrenals. (Rabinowitz) → DU-4 Mingmen, DU-16 Fengfu, DU-17 Naohu, DU-20 Baihui
• Du Mai and the central nervous system: Du strengthens yuan qi, jing and yang (Du-3, Du-4) and conducts shen via the ye fluid (CSF) up the spine; treat neurological conditions through Du points. (Yuen) → DU-3 Yaoyangguan, DU-4 Mingmen
• Du Mai in children: Governor Vessel (esp. Mingmen) is considered contraindicated before puberty as it may affect growth — use the Bladder channel (BL-10 to BL-23) instead. (Yuen) → UB-10 Tianzhu, UB-23 Shenshu
• Du Mai — four pathways: The Du has four pathways; one begins at BL-1 Jingming, explaining the Du-14/eyes connection. (Yuen) → UB-1 Jingming, DU-14 Dazhui
• Eight extraordinary vessels in the Nan Jing (ch. 27–28): Nan Jing ch.27–28 first organize the eight extras, saying the primary channels cannot access them; they absorb surplus from the primary level. (Yuen)
• Eight extraordinary vessels — opening points: Opening points: vibrate deep with longer retention; for prenatal issues open left for women, right for men; e.g., LU-7 opens Ren, closed with SP-4 opposite. (Juedemann) → LU-7 Lieque, SP-4 Gongsun
• Eight extras & genetic 'switches' (Ming dynasty): By the Ming, the belief settled that opening points of the eight extraordinary channels could turn genes on. (Yuen)
• Entry-exit block (liver pounding, lungs weak): Hoarded qi in an entry-exit block shows repression and separation within the self; moving it promotes communication = cessation of repression, freeing jing, qi and shen. → LIV-14 Qimen, LU-1 Zhongfu
• Gallbladder = left/right; lung/colon = up/down: In general gallbladder governs left-right issues and lung/large intestine up-down, with the diaphragm in the middle.
• Gallbladder as Zhongzheng officer; ministerial fire: Gallbladder is the fu of central essence (Ling Shu 2) and Officer of Zhongzheng from whom decisions issue (Su Wen 8); ministerial fire positions below (Su Wen 66). (Fruehauf)
• Gallbladder channel on the scalp: GB has the most scalp points; Jeffrey Yuen described them as a ventilator for the brain; vertex governed by the liver. (Shea)
• Heart channel as 'an ode to the journey' (citing Jeffrey Yuen): From axilla to little finger, the Heart channel reflects the lessons of being human; its nine points correspond to the nine heart pains / nine palaces. (Lewis) → HT-1 Jiquan, HT-9 Shaochong
• Heart valves ↔ channels: Mitral: Shao Yang (GB/SJ) + spleen; aortic: Tai Yang (BL/SI); pulmonary: Tai Yin (LU/SP); tricuspid: Shao Yin (KI/HT). (Gioioso)
• Heart/Pericardium — emotional attachments at death: Treat unresolved attachments in the Pericardium/Heart at death with essential oils or stones on those channels, palpating for obstruction, so the spirits can separate. (Lewis)
• Inner vs outer Bladder line and the brain: The inner Bladder line (moxa/tonify) brings energy into the brain in deficiency; the outer line clears the brain in excess or heat disorganization. (Gioioso)
• Kidney channel — 'ladder of destiny': The Kidney channel rises sole to collarbone: leg points = stability and trust, abdominal points (merged with Chong) = ambition and creativity, chest points = lifting toward spirit. (Lewis)
• Leg yin channels — rubbing before practice: Interlace fingers on the lower dantian, then rub the insides of the legs to create friction and stimulate the yin channels before lying supine for the meditation. (Johnson)
• Li Shizhen — trajectories of the Wei vessels: Li Shizhen gave the Wei trajectories the classics lacked: linking all yang returns to the Du, linking all yin returns to the Ren. (Yuen)
• Li Shizhen's Yang Wei trajectory as five-element genetic modulation: Li Shizhen built Yang Wei from BL-63, GB-35, GB-39, SJ-13, SJ-15, SI-10, LI-14 and GB-21, looping to GB-13 Benshen to change the marrow/brain. (Yuen) → UB-63 Jinmen, GB-35 Yangjiao, GB-39 Xuanzhong (Juegu), SJ-13 Naohui, SJ-15 Tianliao, SI-10 Naoshu, LI-14 Binao, GB-21 Jianjing, GB-13 Benshen
• Lung channel massage at end of life: Don't help the Kidneys grasp Lung qi and don't try to descend the Lungs; instead massage the entire Lung channel. (Lewis)
• Organs as pools and rivers: Chinese energetics: organs are energetic pools with channels as rivers to tissues; remove stagnation or fill deficiency. (Johnson)
• Origin of opening points (Neo-Confucian 'destiny in our own hands'): Neo-Confucian belief that destiny is in our hands made the eight extras channels to tap destiny; many opening points are luo points, finalized by Yang Jizhou. (Yuen) → UB-62 Shenmai, KI-6 Zhaohai, SI-3 Houxi, GB-41 Zulinqi
• Original Chong / Taiji pole (Du-20 to Ren-1): The Daoist inner vertical axis from Du-20 to Ren-1 is the original Chong, where the mandate of heaven is communicated and Yi, Zhi and Shen align. (Lewis) → DU-20 Baihui, REN-1 Huiyin
• Pericardium and shifting worldviews: When outgrowing one's collective, treat with Ban Xia Hou Po Tang and pericardium points; water = fear of the unknown, wood = anger, metal = grief.
• Pericardium divergent: The Pericardium divergent begins at PC-1 Tianchi, descends through the three burners, and a branch ascends to the throat (Ren-23) to join San Jiao at GB-12/SJ-16. (Yuen) → PC-1 Tianchi, REN-23 Lianquan, GB-12 Wangu, SJ-16 Tianyou
• Qiao couple-pairing & the Dai: You needn't always use couple pairs; to break stagnation first reduce overload, e.g., GB-41 opens the Dai to drain Yin Qiao (KI-6) or Yang Qiao (BL-62). (Yuen) → GB-41 Zulinqi, KI-6 Zhaohai, UB-62 Shenmai
• Qiao Mai — circadian rhythm & Wei qi shuttle: Qiao vessels shuttle Wei qi between exterior and interior for sleep–wake; if Wei qi can't enter the yin the eyes can't close → insomnia; Ban Xia + millet formula. (Rabinowitz)
• Qiao vessels (Nan Jing 28; Li Shizhen): Yang Qiao rises from mid-heel to GB-20; Yin Qiao rises from the heel to the throat, joining the Chong; key throat point ST-9 for thyroid. (Rabinowitz) → ST-9 Renying, GB-20 Fengchi
• Ren descending, Du ascending: In this circulation Ren goes down and Du comes up. (Hiltbrand)
• Ren Mai & Du Mai as final reservoirs of the luo system: Du-1 and Ren-15 (luo points of Du and Ren) mirror Batson's venous plexus; Ren and Du hold our deepest karmic patterns underlying chronic illness. (Lewis) → DU-1 Changqiang, REN-15 Jiuwei
• Ren, Du and Chong as finer gradations of the chakras: Ren and Du make a figure-eight and Chong runs vertically; their points map development much more finely than the seven chakras.
• Ren, Du, Wei summary (review): Ren: bonding/imprinting, Ren-21–23 for thyroid; Du: individuation, brain, Du-16–17 HPA axis; Wei: global linking, profound depression/loss of purpose (SJ-5, PC-6). (Rabinowitz) → REN-21 Xuanji, REN-22 Tiantu, REN-23 Lianquan, DU-16 Fengfu, DU-17 Naohu, SJ-5 Waiguan, PC-6 Neiguan
• Ren-Du figure eight: Ren and Du circulate as a figure eight through internal branches — drawn and explained in his 'green book'.
• San Jiao divergent: The San Jiao divergent begins at Du-20, goes to SJ-16 Tianyou, down to ST-12, spreading into the chest and three burners and communicating with the Pericardium. (Yuen) → DU-20 Baihui, SJ-16 Tianyou, ST-12 Quepen
• San Jiao — great communicator; divergent at the crown: The San Jiao has no structure, only function like the Dao; it coordinates relationship and movement through the whole body. Its divergent channel reaches the crown (Du-20). (Lewis) → DU-20 Baihui
• Scars redirect channel flow: Scars redirect energy flow, so don't use points across a surgical scar on that side; after surgery, visualize sealing the channels back together with radiant light. (Johnson)
• Shaoyang — six-qi vs zang-fu gallbladder: Don't confuse the foot Shaoyang six-qi with the five-element zang-fu Gallbladder; Shaoyang starts with the San Jiao channel touching heaven. (Hiltbrand) → KI-1 Yongquan
• Sinew channel treatment principles: Sinew treatment: free the yang qi, ensure sufficient fluids, treat ashi points, and open the jing-well to release pathology; technique matters more than needle gauge.
• Sinew channels — fluid/phlegm stagnation: For fluid-phlegm stagnation affecting the tendino-muscular channels, moxa the jing-well points and the knotting points along the sinew channel to mobilize and transform phlegm. (Yuen)
• Sinew channels — originally for manual manipulation: Sinews were channels for manual manipulation (tui na); needling came later as an adjunct, and needling an acute condition can drive it deeper — manipulate first. (Yuen)
• Sinew channels — quality of life is quality of movement: Posture, gait and shoe wear are diagnostic; the sinews are the most material channel system, rooted in Jing/Water, with Wei qi circulating in them. (Yuen)
• Sinew channels — treatment protocol: Start with needle-moxa on Du-4 and Du-14 to activate wei qi, palpate toward the jing-well, and needle binding areas superficially with chiseling/circular technique. (Juedemann) → DU-4 Mingmen, DU-14 Dazhui
• Small Intestine — inner compass for ancestral wisdom: The Small Intestine receives the wisdom of the Heart and plunges it into the gut, helping discern; becomes our inner compass carrying the brightness of spirit. (Lewis)
• Tai Yang / Yang Ming / Shao Yang and white-cell types: White-cell subtypes map to channels: neutrophils to Tai Yang, eosinophils to Yang Ming (inflammation), basophils to Shao Yang/San Jiao; palpate and treat those channels. (Yuen)
• Treat the Pericardium whenever phlegm affects the Lungs: If phlegm obstructs the Lungs use the Lung channel (aconite moxa on LU-9); treat the Pericardium regardless as prevention, since Lung involvement affects the Heart. (Yuen) → LU-9 Taiyuan
• Wei Mai (Yin Wei & Yang Wei) — the tortoise: The Wei vessels connect heaven and earth: Yin Wei carries the inner storyline of experience, Yang Wei the rhythm and timing of its unfolding. (Lewis)
• Yang Ming / Tai Yang and the sensory orifices: Yang Ming brings fluids to the sensory orifices; Yang Ming heat can affect sensory function and transfer to Shao Yang; Tai Yang = spine/nervous system. (Shea)
• Yang Wei Mai / Yin Wei Mai trajectories: Before Li Shizhen the Wei trajectories were ambiguous in the Neijing and Nanjing; Yang Wei Mai has 32 points. (Yuen)
• Yang Wei Mai trajectory: Yang Wei begins at BL-63 Jinmen, travels to GB-35 Yangjiao, up to SI-10; Li Shizhen added GB-29 Juliao, where the Dai ends, to link it. (Yuen) → UB-63 Jinmen, GB-35 Yangjiao, SI-10 Naoshu, GB-29 Juliao
• Yangming and the sensory portals: The Stomach is first to connect to all the sensory orifices; LI-20 links to BL-1 into the eyes, descending to ST-1. (Gioioso) → LI-20 Yingxiang, ST-1 Chengqi, UB-1 Jingming
• Yin Qiao / Yang Qiao as luo of Ren / Du: Yin Qiao is the luo of Ren and Yang Qiao of Du; their 'opening points' KI-6 Zhaohai and BL-62 Shenmai are really points on the trajectories. (Yuen) → KI-6 Zhaohai, UB-62 Shenmai
• Yin Wei & Yang Wei endocrine points (per Li Shizhen): Yin Wei endocrine points: KI-9 Zhubin, SP-13 Fushe (gonads), SP-15 (pancreas), LV-14, Ren-22/23; Yang Wei GB-15 to GB-20 access the hypothalamus–pituitary axis. (Rabinowitz) → KI-9 Zhubin, SP-13 Fushe, SP-15 Daheng, LIV-14 Qimen, GB-15 Toulinqi, GB-20 Fengchi
• Yin Wei & Yang Wei for diabetes: For diabetes, Yin Wei points KI-9, SP-13, SP-15, SP-16, LV-14 and opening point PC-6; Yang Wei eye points (GB-16, GB-17) for retinopathy, opening point SJ-5. (Rabinowitz) → KI-9 Zhubin, SP-13 Fushe, SP-15 Daheng, SP-16 Fuai, LIV-14 Qimen, PC-6 Neiguan, GB-16 Muchuang, GB-17 Zhengying, SJ-5 Waiguan
• Yin Wei Mai: Working with Yin Wei Mai helps re-establish the body's rhythms (menstrual cycle). (Lewis)
• Yin Wei Mai / Yang Wei Mai: The eight extras form an energy vortex in the body's center; the wei mai especially help with unresolved psycho-emotional issues. (Lewis)
• Yin Wei Mai — weaving the inner story: Unintegrated experiences are knots in the Yin Wei Mai's fabric; Yin Wei lets us gather what was left behind, addressing conditioning at odds with the Chong blueprint. (Lewis) → KI-9 Zhubin, SP-13 Fushe, SP-14 Fujie, SP-15 Daheng, SP-16 Fuai
• Yin Wei vs Yang Wei for memory: Yin Wei Mai (PC-6) for repetitive trauma memories; Yang Wei Mai (SJ-5) for amnesia/memory gaps; Yang Wei starts at BL-63 Jinmen, then GB-35, LI-14. (Yuen) → PC-6 Neiguan, SJ-5 Waiguan, UB-63 Jinmen, GB-35 Yangjiao, LI-14 Binao