Gallbladder Meridian

General Information:  This meridian is associated with the small organ function of the gallbladder that stores and concentrates the bile from the liver, which aids in digestion, particularly of fats. It constructs and releases bile when fats reach the duodenum from the stomach. On a cellular level this same function of maintaining fat metabolism related to the subtle energy of the Gallbladder Meridian.

Functions:  Stores and excretes bile, one of the Six Extraordinary Organs

Physical Branches:  Eyes, tendons, tears, nails

Emotion:  Anger and Resentment

Sound:  Shouting

Season:  Spring

Associated Element:  Wood

Color:  Yellow green

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  11 PM - 1 AM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Anterior Deltoid, Popliteus

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the outside corner of the eye, back to ear then up and loop forward around the forehead, back behind the ear, up to the frontal eminences, down again behind ear, behind the shoulder, behind arm, done the side of the chest, hip and leg to the end of the 4th toe.

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Triple Warmer Meridian

General Information:   This meridian takes the form of three "heats", the heat of metabolism, maintaining body "heat", and the heat of the "fight or flight" or life passions. The function is associated wit various interactions of gland secretions involved in our various human passions. The adrenal glands  function in concert with other hormonal glands, particularly in fighting or running away in a monument of crisis, or recovery from injury, illness, malfunction and generalized stress.

Four of the muscles that are related to this meridian function are muscles involved in running, pushing off, or getting on your toes, all essential fight or flight / passion muscles.  The pituitary gland  works in concert with other endocrine glands that have functions related to the heat of life passion, procreative activity and sexual pleasure, life and death circumstances, cause worth suffering no dying for, etc.

This meridian is a somewhat mysterious one in that it is aid to have organ function in the Chinese energy system, yet it is not associated with a specific organ. It is said to have function, but no form, or it is alternatively defined as having its function through the interactions of three different groups of organs found in the thoracic, upper and lower abdominal areas.

Functions:  Regulates transformation and transportation of bodily fluids.

Physical Branches:  Blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion

Emotion:  Joy, Love and Hate

Sound:  Laughing

Season: Summer

Associated Element:  Fire

Color:  Orange red

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  9 - 11 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Teres Minor, Sartorius, Gracillis, Soleus, Gastrocnemius

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from end of ring finger, up back of hand and arm, across shoulder and around back of ear ending at the eyebrow

Watch the Video Here 

Circulation / Sex Meridian

General Information:   This meridian pertains to the many functions that are intimately associated with the hormones and chemical messengers related to all reproduction whether it be appropriate balance in cell production or sexual recreation. It has to do with the nourishment of nes cells and the preparation for cell reproduction. It involves the menstruation cycles, ovarian, and uterine functions and prostate and testicular functions. This include the pleasures of sexual love. It also has to do with passing on genetic, cultural and personals heritage.

The Circulation-Sex Meridian is sometimes called the Pericardium Meridian and related to the muscular function of the heart and blood vessels, that which keeps the beat steady and appropriate for the external and internal environments.

Functions:  Protects the heart

Physical Branches:  blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion

Emotion:  Joy, Love and Hate

Sound:  Laughing

Season:  Summer

Associated Element:  Fire

Color:  Purple red

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  7 - 9 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Gluteus Medius, Adductors, Piriformis, Gluteus Maximus

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the outside nipple down the middle of the inside of the arm to the end of the thumb side of the middle finger

Watch the  Video Here 

Kidney Meridian

General Information:  This is involved in controlling the volume, composition, and pressure of fluids in all the cells as well as the whole Soul and it important in growth, development and reproductive functions. Blood flows through the kidneys at its highest pressure, toxins are filtered out, and nourishing materials are directed to where they are needed.

Water is symbolic of mystery, emotional and spirit. Kidney Meridian Function is involved in the balance of these aspects of life. In Chinese medicine the Kidney is also said to be a storehouse of life force and has a strong spiritual aspect.

Functions:  Stores prenatal essence, filters the blood

Physical Branches:  Ears, bones, urine, head and pubic hair, brain, marrow

Emotion:  Fear and Anxiety

Sound:  Groaning

Season:  Winter

Associated Element:  Water

Color:  Light flame blue

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  5 - 7 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Psoas, Upper Trapezius, Illiacus

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the ball of the foot, around the ankle, up the inside of the leg past the inside of the knee, past the edge of the pubic bone, up the abdomen and chest to the inside end of the collarbone.

Watch the Video Here 

Bladder Meridian

General Information:  The function is to store waste liquid before elimination, not only in the urinary bladder but also in all of the cells and throughout the Soul. In the Chinese system, the Bladder is said to be a storehouse of emotions. and so the Bladder Function is involved in the water balance / emotional balance in the whole Soul. Water is eliminated as it reaches excessive volume, or when waste material is highly concentrated.

The urinary bladder is always "full" since the muscles expand or contract as more liquid is received from the kidneys. By drinking more pure water, the bladder is actually strengthened through exercise of the expanding bladder muscles. Water is a potent symbol for emotion and mystery in life. When we are able to accept more of a vast mystery of existence, and allow our emotions to flow, we find our tolerance and flexibility increase.

Functions:  Stores and eliminates urine

Physical Branches:  Autonomous nervous system

Emotion:  Fear and Anxiety

Sound:  Groaning

Season:  Winter

Associated Element:  Water

Color:  Deep blue

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  3 - 5 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Peroneus, Sacrospinalis, Anterior Tibial, Posterior Tibial

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, first channel from the inside corner of the eye, over the head and down the back and out along the crease of the buttocks. Go back to the original line at the shoulder for Second Channel. Go outside of the original line, past the buttocks, down the back of the leg to the end of the little toe.

Watch the Video Here 

Small Intestines

General Information:  It is primarily related to absorption of nutritious substances and the separation of waste material. These same functions take place on the cellular level, and in the Soul as a whole. It is the assimilation of influences and stiff from outside the Soul. The small intestine winds for 23 feet and has three main parts, the Duodenum, the Jejunum, and the Ileum.

Throughout the small intestine, various secretions from other organs are added to the liquefied food, which aid in the absorption of nutrients. Bacteria make up a large amount of the contents of the small intestine, also acting upon the materials that enter so that they can be absorbed.

Functions:  Absorbs nutrients, digestion and elimination

Physical Branches:  Blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion

Emotion:   Joy, Love and Hate

Sound:  Laughing

Season:  Summer

Associated Element:   Fire

Color:  Pink

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  1 - 3 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Quadriceps, Abdominals

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from outside end of little finger up outside of arm halfway down shoulder blades, up to neck, across cheek towards nose and end in front of ear

Watch the Video Here 

Heart Meridian

General Information:  This involves the cycling of the blood as well as electrical communication with the rest of the cells of the whole Soul. The heart is in constant communication with all of the organs and muscle to determine their blood / oxygen needs from moment to moment. The heart generated 5000 times more powerful electrical messages throughout the Soul than the brain.

In the Chinese belief system, the heart is also strongly associated with mental processes, while in the West we have the traditional metaphor of the heart as an emotional center and center of wisdom. On Chinese medicine, the heart is called "sovereign ruler" which direct action with clear insight.

Functions:  Pulse/circulation, house of the spirit

Physical Branches:  Blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion, adrenals, thyroid, prostate, pituitary

Emotion:  Joy, Love and Hate

Sound:  Laughing

Season:  Summer

Associated Element:  Fire

Color:   Red with slight blue tint

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  11 AM - 1 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Only one - Subscapularis

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from armpit down inside of arm to thumb side of little finger nail. (We never trace the Heart backwards)

Watch the Video Here 

Spleen Meridian

General Information:  This serves a very important function. While the stomach receives raw material, the spleen function to transform them into useable forms and to distribute them.  It is a moment in the cycle to assimilating what is appropriate and identifying toxic or harmful elements to be eliminated. The Spleen function also related to immune function, purifying the blood, increasing power of the white blood cells and removing the damages and dead red blood cells.

Pancreas function is also related to the Spleen Meridian and is involved in sugar metabolism, particularly, and digestion in general, breaking things down into manageable parts.

Functions:   Cleanses and 'modifies' the blood, houses the body's Yi (wisdom mind)

Physical Branches:  Muscles, lips, mouth, saliva, lymphatic system

Positive Emotions:  Trust, honesty, openness, acceptance, equanimity, balance, and impartiality

Negative Emotions:  Worry, excessive thinking, pensiveness, obsessiveness, remorse, regret, obsessions, and self-doubt

Emotion:  Empathy and Sympathy

Sound:  Singing

Season:   Late Summer

Associated Element:  Earth

Color:  Orange Yellow

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  9 - 11 AM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Latissimus Dorsi, Middle Trapezius, Lower Trapezius, Opponens Pollicis, Triceps

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the medial side of the big toe, up leg and body to arm crease and down side seem to 9th rib.

Watch the Video Here: 

Stomach Meridian

General Information:  Involves receiving potential nutrients and initiating the digestive functions. The 35 million cells in the stomach have multiple functions besides taking in new material and new ideas. It also mixed and temporarily stores them for further assimilation. It is a moment in the cycle of seeing what is available and tagging it for use in other functions of the Soul. The Stomach Meridian is associated with the mouth as the beginning of the digestive system and involves the sense of smell, vision, etc.

Digestion truly begins in the brain and the Stomach Function has a strong mental / emotional component as well as a dietary component.  We come into first contact with potential nutrients and new ideas through what we see, smell, hear and digestion occurs best when it involves a full appreciate with five senses. Sometimes we don't see what we're taking in (watch what we eat), or we swallow something without chewing, or without realizing that it's poison. We need to be aware of what we're taking in whether it's a food, a feeling, a thought, etc.

Functions:  Digestion, absorption of postnatal energy

Physical Branches:  Muscles, lips, mouth, saliva

Emotion:  Empathy and Sympathy

Sound:  Singing

Season:  Late Summer

Associated Element:  Earth

Color: Deep Yellow

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day: 7 - 9 AM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Pectoralis Major Clavicular, Levator Scapulae, Anterior Neck Flexors, Posterior Neck Extensors, Brachioradialis

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, start below the eye, go down the jaw, around the cheek to the Frontal Eminences, over the eye, down the jaw and front of the neck, out slightly along the collar-bone, down the chest and abdomen, across the front of the hip, down the outside of the front of the leg, to the end of the 2nd toe.

Watch the Video Here: 

Governing Meridian

General Information:  This meridian is connected with all the other meridians including the Central. It is a storage vessel for excess or used energy before this energy is released with the breath. Prior to using the other muscles as indicators of imbalances in the Soul, it is important to uncover / release this stored energy by considering the burdens that a person is literally or figuratively carrying. This is associate with the function of standing and Spine function. It may also be related to Pineal Function that relates to the day / night cycles of light and darkness.

Emotion:   No general emotion attached

Associated Element:   None

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day: No Time of Day

Muscles Associated with Meridian:   Only one - Teres Major

How to Trace:  From the tail bone, up the spine over the top of the head and down the face to just above the middle of the top lip.

Watch the Video Here: