Introduction to the Makko-ho, Yoga of meridians

14 Feb Introduction to the Makko-ho, Yoga of meridians

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Text of Mélanie mow Shanti _

I am happy to share with you my allies daily, the Makko-Ho!

I've known these postures, they are part of my morning ritual with my preparation before giving a Shiatsu.

They allow me to keep a good morale, wake up my body numb by the night's sleep and get ready to have the energy to better adapt to the unexpected of the day!

I first had the privilege to learn from Stéphane Viens, during my first Shiatsu-Do The Kiné-Concept Institutetraining, then I revisitees with Jenny Cronin (Dragon and Phoenix Shiatsu School), to adopt them on a daily basis, following a hard-hitting Tao Shiatsu course followed with Ryo Kyo Endo Sensei.

Below you will find an introduction to the Makko-Ho, followed by the description of the steps and how to run them such as I taught them in the Yoga Montreal Expo, February 11, 2017.

Mélanie Faucher shanti à Expo Yoga Montréal

About the Makko-Ho:

Of Japanese origin, the Makkho-Ho are closely related to the art of shiatsu. Shizuto Massunagua, founder of the approach of Zen Shiatsu is based on a simplified vision of the spirituality of the Buddhist monks zen, which has adopted a series of stretches extracted the Makko-Ho, Japanese exercises for each pair method of meridians.

Sensei Ryokyu Endo later created the method of Tao Shiatsu, which focuses on the art of benevolence and the internal nature of the healer. It was during a training with him I learned to use the anchor points and the concept of the expansion of vital energy during execution of the Makko-Ho.

The Makko-Ho are stretching associated with breathing and concentration and anchor points that are accessible to all. Each of these stretches is the free flow of vital energy through each of the energy meridians and allows a better function of the organs and viscera which are associated.

Each Makko-Ho is associated with one of the five elements in traditional Chinese medicine (medicine from which the art of shiatsu was created) and two meridians which are them - linked to an organ. In this Eastern science, each organ is also connected to certain parts of the body as well as a few States and emotions.

Sensei Ryokyu Endo, based on this vision of health that takes into account the importance of free flow of vital energy, it would be possible to build this vital energy by increasing its strength and its expansion, among other things, by the exercises like those the Makko-HO. In this way, we would become more resistant to diseases, whether physical, psychological or emotional.

As the years move forward in my practice of these postures and the art of shiatsu, more I am convinced that the excesses of emotions are the main sources of energy imbalances and that cause the most harm to the physical body when they are repressed or repressed.

"The emotions are a form of expression of energy, it is important to not block to stay in good health."-Xiaolan Zhao.

I therefore believe that if we focus on the emotional release in addition to using traditional inkings points, the remarkable effects of these stretches will be increased.

To better understand, here are some examples of emotional and mental links related to the meridians:

Meridians of the lung and the large intestine (Colon) - Metal Element

Grief, sadness, melancholy, depression.

Letting go, flexibility/rigidity, respiration, elimination, stability.

Nose, skin, smell, touch.

Meridians of the spleen-Pancreas and stomach - Earth Element

Reflection, rumination, worries, concerns, jealousy,
confidence, humility, digestion of food and events, empathy.

Mouth, taste, mucous membranes/flesh.

Meridians of the heart and the small intestine - absolute fire Element

Inner nervousness, anxiety, insomnia.

Joy, peace, give and receive love/loved ones.

Speech, language, arteries, blood.

Meridians of the kidneys and bladder - water Element

Fear, insecurity, beyond limits

Sense of security, adaptability, limits,

Energy levels, vitality, energy centenary.

Bone, marrow, ears, hearing.

Meridians of the master-heart and the Triple warmer - Element fire secondary

Interpretation, protecting the heart, intimate relationships, defence of the immune system, regulation of body temperature, creativity.
Pericardium and endocrine system, traffic.

Meridians of the liver and the gallbladder - item wood

Orga

organization in action.

Anger, frustration, indecision, irritability, difficulty to get into action.

Tendons, muscles, eyes, view.

Tips for the practice of the Makkho-Ho:

I invite you to practice these exercises by keeping in mind (or rather in consciousness) emotions they are associated with more concentration and anchor points that I describe below in steps.

To increase energy, I recommend you perform each pose for 3 to 6 breaths. To help the healing of ailments related to the imbalances, you can maintain the posture as long it remains comfortable and that you feel the need.

The steps to follow in the execution of each stretch:

Imagine an energy of benevolence and awakening (the spiritual symbol that joined you the most) that supports you. For my part, I like to use the symbol of mother earth.
Inspiration, imagine looking this benevolent energy up to the location of the tandem (Center of Ki, located under the navel).
Think about the meridians associated with stretching, to the emotions to let go, to the vital energy that flows freely in you along the meridians;
While exhaling and entering into the posture, imagine that you project this energy to an anchor on the ground located in a meter or two in front of you. You can imagine, for example, as a boat anchor. Stay in this position for a few breaths.
Back gently inspiring. Exhale and observe the effects, feel.

1 Makko-Ho lung and large intestine - Metal

Performance:
Feet apart, heels inward first, in hanging your thumbs together, bent with the exception of the index fingers and out by leaning forward from the hips, stretching as far as arms.

At each end, let go of the sadness, melancholy, depression.
With each breath, focus on the ability to be flexible, to let go, to take your place in the world that surrounds you, open your wings to your limits.

Sit up slowly by inspiring, let float arms while exhaling.

Repeat the same steps legs glued, stuck together heels and feet open.

2 Makko-Ho /Estomac spleen-Pancreas - land

From sitting in Seiza (on your knees, feet on each side of the buttocks) stretch your body toward the back, press your hands on the floor, open the chest.

If you are able, go down gradually on the front arm, use each expiration to descend further, possibly into the ground. Extend arms above the head.

At each end, let the worries, concerns, guilt.

With each breath, let you complete confidence, kindness to yourself and others.

Slowly defeats the posture by helping you with arms and take a break in the posture of the child. Look at and feel the effect of posture.

3 Makko-Ho /Intestin hail - fire absolute heart

Sit down, soles of the feet against the other. Catch the inside of each of the feet while stretching the elbows outward, so that the arms and the areas of the heart (between the shoulder blades) is stretched.

At each end, let go anxiety and inner nervousness. Let your mind calm.

With each breath, allow yourself to feel joy, sweetness, let you love and be loved, let you give and receive and assimilate new information naturally.

Breathe slowly up the trunk and out. Look at and feel the effect of posture.

4 Makko-Ho kidneys and bladder - water

Sit as straight as possible, legs stretched in front of you. Inhale stretching arms above your head, exhale by stretching the arms and trunk forward without trying to grab the feet. Relax your back, your neck and your legs.

At each end, let go the fears, insecurities. Feel the energy flowing from the birth of the eyebrows and down along the spine.

Bring your attention in the lower back, feel that with each breath your kidneys fill with energy.

When you inhale, feel that you respect your abilities. You feel reloaded, safe, filled with a new vitality. You have the ability to adapt to all situations.

To undo the posture, inhale again stretching the arms towards the sky and come back in a sitting position.
Look at and feel the effect of posture.

5 Makko-Ho master-heart/Triple heater - secondary fire

Sit cross-legged Feu, maître coeur et Triple réchauffeur

(facing), by crossing the right leg, then the left leg, stretch your right arm to your left passing in front of your chest, then the left to the right. Breathe in and out by leaning forward. Relax your head and neck. Keep glutes on the ground and breathe into your hara (abdomen).

At each end, treat yourself to a moment of inner rest. Imagine that this posture creates luminous protection around your heart and your body.

With each breath, notice that you feel protected, in peace. You have neither too hot, nor too cold. You can enforce your limits in a clear way.

Defeats posture naturally by straightening your body slowly.
Look at and feel the effect of posture.

6. Makko-Ho liver and gallbladder - wood

Sit down on the ground, legs widely apart. Hang the two hands by nesting all fingers. Breathe by stretching the arms forward and out stretching the trunk to the left, as if you wanted to present the right side of your side to the sky.

At each end, let go the anger, irritability, frustration, indecisions.

With each breath, refocus on patience, kindness towards yourself and others.

Defeats posture naturally by straightening your body slowly stretching arms skyward, then repeat the same steps on the other side.

Makkho-Ho Fo-VB, élément bois avec Mélanie Faucher Shanti- Expo Yoga DSC_8625

Ki (compassion meditation) meditation:

This technique is based on Japanese Buddhism. There are similar versions in several from traditions of Buddhist philosophy. It allows to increase the ability of love and compassion present in all of us.

First, take the time you focus and concentrate on breathing, then on the region of the heart, of consciousness;

View the center of Ki to the tandem of the roots (point under the navel).

Breathe through the tandem of the roots (spiritual symbol that support you);

Inhale the image of your spiritual symbol unified with the entire universe;

Breathe out focusing on the wish of the spiritual development of all human beings, for the good of all, while leaving to spread the energy at the level of the heart region;

At every moment, keep your attention on the region of the heart sure to put all your efforts on the deepening of the visualization and the extent of the prayer (or wish).