Longevity and Life Cycles

As we get older the upper part of the body begins changing first and then the lower part of the body and internal organs degenerate and stop functioning. The manifestation of the aging are seen in such symptoms as short term memory loss, rapid deterioration of eye sight, loss of hair and development of wrinkles over the face.

The "Yellow Emperor" text book describes the male and female cycle with designation of different numbers. The female is given the number "seven" while the male is given the number "eight". At seven years of age the female starts to go through a transformation of bone structure with a sudden activity of kidney energy. Her baby teeth start to fall out and the permanent teeth start to appear. Her facial bone structure changes from a baby to a girl's face. Also her hair starts to have thicker density. This is due to the kidney energy flow.

A male goes through similar transformation at the age of eight. At the age of 14, on an average, (2 times 7) a girl starts to begin her menstruation cycle with sudden gynecological activity. This has to do with the conception vessel activity. A male's puberty begins at the age of 16 (2 times 8) with voice change, development of muscles due to the high activity of the testicle gland. Women at the age of 49 (7 times 7) go through menopause while men do the same usually at 64 (8 times 8). We can't alter the natural cycles of male and females. However, we can preserve and prolong the "yang" energy as much as possible in the upper body by doing regular exercises of the 8 marvelous vessels. Preservation of the "yang" energy is the wise way to maintain the balance of healthy energy flow in our bodies. This is how ancient people perceived the longevity of life.

Stretching exercices to achieve longevity: the 8 curious vessels

Practicing the stretching postures for the eight curious meridians encourages full health and a lively balance of the energies in our body. They can be used to treat physical ailments by reactivating the flow of vital energy through the body.

They also have a role to play in preventative treatment by ensuring that blocked energy is dislodged, protecting the body from imbalances and stagnation. The exercises are especially beneficial to those with sleeping problems, those with cold hands or feet and those suffering from stress or fatigue. If the exercises are being used for maintenance rather than for specific treatment, then they should be taken in their proper sequence.

The most important posture is for the governing vessel. It is easy to do, and one quickly feels the effects. If one is unused to exercise and very stiff, start with this exercise alone. It is advisable to do these exercises every morning as well as every evening before going to bed. The spirit of concentration is important. Morning exercise allow us to draw on the rising energy of nature, while evening exercise provides an opportunity to rid our bodies of the tiredness and bad or used energy accumulated in the course of the day.

The exercises should not be done after a meal, an operation, or with a fever. Some of the eight curious meridian exercises can be difficult even for the young and supple. But perfection is not important, since each individual is different. The essentiel thing is that the muscles are relaxed before any attempt is made to stretch them so that the meridian postures can be done without straining the body. If any feeling of discomfort occurs, then stop and continue with another exercise. Where a blocked meridian is found, then spend more time working on that meridian ensuring that each breath is slow and steady. If there is not enough time for all eight meridians, then concentrate on the two main meridians, the governing vessel and the conception vessel.

While exercising, it is important to remember that the stretch is made with an inhalation, and that one breathes out slowly after the maximum extension. Breathing out is a vital part of these exercises, because unless we are able to exhale in an even and relaxed way, the next inhalation becomes tight, and then instead of letting the energy flow smoothly into the meridians, we tend to halt the flow of this energy with tense and stumbling breathing. Of course one must not forget that someone who is not well and lacks energy will have an entirely different approach to the stretching exercises than someone who is healthy. Either way, it is best to start with the governing vessel and the conception vessel and then go on to the other meridians.

Fortunately each curious meridian has an important point which regulates the entire flow of the meridian. So we can start off by pressing these eight points. The regulator point for each of the meridians is as follows:

Governing vessel Small intestine point: "Gokkei"			Conception vessel Lung point: "Reketsu"
Yang ankle vessel Bladder point: "Shinmiyaku"			Yin ankle vessel Kidney point: "Shiyokai"
Through-going vessel Spleen-pancreas point: "Koson"			Belt vessel: Gall bladder point: "Rinkiyu"
Yang linking vessel Triple heater point : "Gaikan"			Yin linking vessel Heart constrictor point: "Naikan"

All these points are located near the ankle or close to the wrist - parts of the body which are always in motion and areas where lots of ligaments and tendons are concentrated.

We could say that we walk, jump or run fast because we have solid, strong and supple ankles. Without this movement in the ankle we would be slow and awkward. Our body is constructed to move around using full movement of the muscles in our legs and arms. When we use these muscles with the help of the joints (knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist) we circulate the energy of our internal organs. Arm movements enhance the circulation of lungs and heart, and the movement of legs can activate internal organs such as the small and large intestines.

As we grow old the upper part of our body starts to degenerate first. This manifeste itself in grey hair, loss of hair, loss of memory, wrinkles on the face, and weakening of the teeth. In the end we can become immobile because the leg muscles have no strength to hold us straight and let us move. When we become bed ridden, our internal organs start to stagnate, and stop functioning. As long as we can walk, we can keep the organs intact and sustain the minimum vitality of life force.

In China, many elderly people practice the Tai Chi Chuan in public spaces, which keeps them healthy by circulating energy through the entire body. The regulating points of the eight curious meridians can also be used by people who are physically disabled or have a rigid constitution. Before they start doing the stretching exercises they need to prepare and loosen the body by applying pressure to those points. Those lacking the energy to do this by themselves, should ask someone else for assistance.

It is important to acquire the habit of pressing the regulating points daily so that as time goes by one starts to feel more relaxed and notices the benefits of stretching the body. As we know, if the muscles are not regularly stretched and exercised they tighten up, eventually becoming impossible to move like an oak tree. In the case of a broken ankle bone plaster is applied to hold the ankle tight during the mending of the fracture. But if these points are pressed right after the accident the healing power can be accelerated and increased to the wounded area.

There is no fixed order for these postures. One can start anywhere. But to strengthen the immune system it is particularly advisable to follow the order given below:




1. Governing vessel

Lying on your back, take hold of the soles of your feet, as illustrated and gently rock on your back, letting your spine roll against the floor. It is important to keep your neck soft and long, and not let your chin stick out. All the effort comes from the lower abdomen. The movement can start from the coccyx and go up to the first dorsals, avoiding the cervicals of the neck because they are much more delicate. Breathe normally during this exercise.

2. Conception vessel.

Lie on your stomach and take hold of your feet, rolling forwards and backwards gently on your stomach, rocking along the centre, and breathing normally. If you can't reach your feet with your hands, then imagine you are holding them. The aim of the exercise is not to attain a perfect position, but to visualise the posture and follow its possibilities for movement. Women should avoid this exercise during a menstrual period, and those with back troubles should not do it until they are feeling better. It does pull on the back.

3. Yang ankle vessel.

Hold the big toe with the thumb and first fingers of the corresponding hand. Lift one leg and stretch it towards the outside, and follow it with your eyes, keeping the other leg firmly on the ground. Inhale as you lengthen your leg and exhale as you return your leg to the centre. Then repeat with the other leg.

4. Yin ankle vessel.

Sit in the Seiza position, as shown, with one leg bent back and close to your body, along the thigh. Take hold of the other foot with both hands and lift it up, keeping the leg straight. Inhale as you draw it towards your chest. Repeat five or six times and then do the same with the other leg.

5. Through going vessel.

Sitting, place one foot on the thigh of the other leg, and stretch forward to hold the other, extended foot with both hands. With an inhalation, and the back held straight, draw your body closer to the extended foot. Repeat this exercise five or six times on both legs.

6. Belt vessel.

Sit with your legs wide, and place one hand on your hip and the other fairly high along your rib cage. With an inhalation, lean towards the side where you are holding the hip. Repeat the exercise five or six times on each side, and then hold your hands on both hips and make circles with your body from the base of your spine, thirty times in each direction.

7. Yang linking vessel.

Open your legs as wide as you can. Place your hands on the floor in front of you. Slide your hands slowly forward and with a straight back, let your body go forward. Inhale as you go towards the floor. You should stop when you feel it interferes with your breathing.

8. Yin linking vessel.

Sitting, fold your right foot onto the top of the left thigh, holding the foot in place with your right hand stretched across your back. Reach forward, keeping the spine straight, and with your left hand take hold of your left foot with your thumb and fingers. This exercise is quite difficult but what is important is that you feel as much as you can the movements of energy, as you do this. If you are very stiff, don't be discouraged, but breathe gently and rhythmically and do what you can. Let your imagination recreate the movement, and your body will follow. Repeat five or six times for each side.