I fell in love with acupressure massage in my Shiatsu training. It is used as manual therapy tool in the form of massage like Shiatsu for example, but can also be used by itself as a tool for self-regulation- all you need are your fingers! I love using it in the Yin Yoga practice as it allows the student to feel into the body, giving that particular point more attention whilst contemplating on its potential effect before sinking into a deep Yin pose.
With gentle pressure or a circulating massage on certain acu-points, we can influence the flow of energy through the body, improve circulation and shift our focus.
Acupressure points are found all over the body. They are localised along the meridians, which are energy pathways as described by Chinese medicine. Massaging acupressure points won’t be as specific as an acupuncturist using needles, but the myofascial network will respond to this stimulus and energy is transmitted along these lines.
Acupressure combined with Yin Yoga
Acupressure points can be introduced to your Yin practice to stimulate the energy flow though the body and to complement the practice. Looking at the 12 main or primary meridian pathways, we find over 300 acupressure points!
One acupressure point that is easily accessible that I love to combine with a soothing Yin Yoga practice is Kidney-1.
acupressure point Kidney-1 [bubbling spring]
Kidney-1 marks the first point on the Kidney meridian, which runs from the sole of the foot along the inner leg into the body and terminates under the clavicle at the Kidney 27 point.
The kidneys in TCM are associated with our internal energy reservoirs, so nourishing Kidney-1 through massage can support our energy levels. This point, also called bubbling spring, has nourishing and grounding effects: it helps to draw excess energy from the upper body (especially your overloaded head!) downwards, which allows the thoughts to settle.
Find Kidney-1 on the sole of the foot, on both sides: draw a line from between big toe and second toe down to just underneath the ball of the foot.
Applying pressure with your fingers is an excellent way to stimulate this point. The area of Kidney-1 point is thick in fascia, the plantar fascia, which benefits from a massage too.
Practice with me! In this short Yin Yoga sequence with acupressure for Kidney-1, we dive into your energy restoration.
The Yin Yoga practice uses poses that stimulate the sinew channels of Kidney and urinary bladder. In combination with Kidney-1 massage, a wonderful way to reduce overwhelm, nourish your energy levels and leave you feel calm and clear.
If you like to explore acupressure with Yin Yoga, this
free ACU-Yin Yoga mini-course
might be for you!
Give your nervous system a rest with three short Acu-Yin Yoga flows, delivered to your inbox along with some information on the class, intention and acupressure point used.
Looking after our energy levels is crucial, so we don’t exhaust ourselves.
I hope you enjoy this conscious wind down to nourish your Yin-side, slow down and restore your energy.
Look after yourself by investing in rest!
x Simone