WHAT IS THE CENTRAL MERIDIAN?

The Central Meridian is the core channel of the human energy system. It is your direct link to Source Energy. In yoga it’s called the Shuhumna and in Chinese it is called Zhong Mai.

Zhong means center and Mai is a channel or pathway. You will also hear it called the Taiji Pole. Tai means greatest and Ji means polarity. So the Central Meridian connects you to the greatest polarity of Heaven and Earth. Its structure is a line of energy that runs through the core axis of the body from the crown of the head down through the perineum. The end points of the Central Meridian open like inverted funnels that extend the channel beyond the crown of the head into the sky and below the feet deep into the core of the Earth.

TheCentral Meridian serves multiple functions:

1.      It serves as a conduit between the external forces of Heaven and Earth.

2.      It harmonizes the internal forces of the Three Dantian inside the body.

3.      It serves as a protective shield.

4.      It holds your purpose in alignment with Heaven and Earth.

The Central Meridian consists mostly of points that run along the Kidney Meridian as well as the Ren Mai and an emergence point at Stomach 30. There are also sub branches that run from the Lower Dantian out the legs through the soles of the feet, as well as through the chest and arms.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical point of view, the Central Meridian supports the Stomach and Kidney Meridians and is the main highway to transport the Jing Essence and blood to the uterus. It can be used to help regulate the blood and can help with impotence, gynecological issues, asthma, and excess Lung Qi.

In Qigong we view the Central Meridian as the main highway of Qi where energy traffic flows up and down the center of your body. When it is open and aligned with Heaven and Earth, we feel empowered and connected with purpose in life.

The Central Meridian is the first meridian to form in a fetus. Children have very open Central Meridians but in adulthood, most people do not hold it in alignment with Heaven and Earth continuously. In addition, many people have weak, broken and even fragmented Central Meridian due to trauma and overwork. If the energy in this channel is blocked or weak, one may feel unfulfilled in life and without purpose. Since this energy feeds all the meridians, a weak Central Meridian also results in fatigue.

Through Qigong you can learn to awaken your Central Meridian, charge it with energy and align your Central Meridian with the forces of Heaven and Earth and fulfill your human role as a conduit of light. This is done through a specific sequence of breathing exercises and Qigong movements that promote flow through the spine. Over 20 years of training with multiple Qigong masters I put together a potent routine for beginners to open their Central Meridian. Practice the video on demand here! Remember when it comes to circulation and refining Qi, consistent practice over time is the key!

If you are interested in taking your Qigong and Neidan practice deeper, or would like to share these practices with others check out the YOQI Module 1 Qigong Fundamentals training course here