Tapping and Acupressure with your Yin Yoga practice
In my Shiatsu training we used Tapping as a kind of a warm up. We used our fingers or palms to tap along the body, along the major meridian lines to awaken our energy. It felt tingly and my skin seemed to buzz. What would that do you ask?Tapping along the body to awaken Qi feels refreshing and improves circulation, it also helps bringing your awareness into the body.
Qi cultivating practices of Chinese medicine
Tapping and Acupressure massage are practices from Oriental medicine, where also Traditional Chinese medicine falls under. These principles believe in the existence of vital energy or Qi that flows through the body along energetic pathways called meridians. When the flow of Qi is disrupted, it can lead to imbalances and issues that can manifest as a physical or emotional issue.
Tapping applies an invigorating massage and can also be performed along the meridian pathways or over certain areas of the body. Acupressure massage involves applying pressure to specific points along these meridians to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms and restore energy flow.
Acupressure massage offers a means of self-regulation—an opportunity for you to influence your own physiological and emotional states. The tool of acupressure can be incorporated into a Yin yoga class, for the student to feel into their body This practice of self-healing puts you in the driver's seat of your well-being journey.
In This Yin practice I combine tapping in form of a Qi -massage and acupressure of Liver-3 points with Yin Yoga.
Acupressure point Liver-3
According to TCM, the Liver organ system is associated with the smooth and harmonious flow of Qi through the body. Massaging the Liver-3 point can help balance liver energy, allowing your Qi to move freely and harmoniously. It is often used to release headaches or feeling frustrated/ on the edge, for stress reduction and may alleviate fatigue.
Liver-3 acupressure point
Found in the webbing between first and second toe in a depression where the metatarsal bones meet. This hollow depression is where we massage or hold with static pressure. Note: contraindicated in pregnancy!
To apply acupressure on the Liver-3 points, place one foot on the floor (or bend the leg and bring the foot closer to you) locate the point by feeling into your tissues. Then apply some pressure, massage or hold for a static pressure.. You can massage both sides simultaneously, but often it is interesting to feel the difference in sensation between the sides. If you are pregnant, I would not use this point as it is contraindicated during this time.
Acupressure with Yin Yoga - Free Workbook
Infuse Yin Yoga with TCM concepts and deepen your Qi awareness with acupressure massage.
Learn about Qi and acupressure points + practice with me.
I personally really enjoy using tools of self-massage to bring my students in touch with their bodies and to further get them into sensing Qi. We always speak about Qi flow, but do we even know how it feels?
Let me know what you think and if you practiced my little video, if you were able to sense your Qi!
Best, Simone