XMYOGA – REN MAI

At TCMYoga® we learn about the 8 EXTRAORDINARY MERIDIANS Why? Quite simply because we are fascinated by them and believe it is essential to understand their many applications and uses, not only in the practice of yoga (which we have termed XMYoga) and an individual’s spiritual development, but also in the evolution of the human species.
The Extraordinary Meridians (Regulatory or Marvelous Vessels) are reservoirs of energy available to nourish the Primary Meridians and their connection to the Zang-Fu (Organs). They are important in spiritual evolution because they are formed during the embryonic period (Anterior Heaven), govern genetics and are responsible for an individual’s growth, reproduction, development and ageing. Furthermore, they carry our karmic imprint, which we can understand as the “desires of our Soul”.
In the image, you can see the path of the REN MAI meridian (CONCEPTION VESSEL), which runs along the anterior midline. Ren Mai represents the MATERNAL BOND, as it is through this meridian that our mother nourishes us via the umbilical cord. Similarly, once the baby is born, it continues to maintain a bond with its mother through eye-to-eye, tummy-to-tummy, mouth-to-mouth and mouth-to-nipple contact, thanks to the Ren Mai. In other words, the basic function of this meridian is to provide us with NUTRIENTS, which is why it is known as the Sea of Yin. And if this need is not met in the early years of our lives, we may suffer from a lifelong deficiency, leading to toxic relationships (a lack of love), addictions (stemming from a search for love), abdominal and pelvic conditions (vaginitis, difficult labour, hernias, etc.) and even respiratory problems (sinusitis, asthma, chest pain).
The starting point of this meridian is P7 (on the wrist). At XMYoga by TCMYoga®, we use the crossed Chin-Jnana Mudra to apply pressure and stimulate this point in both Yin Yoga and Yang Yoga poses. Yuen (a renowned expert in Taoism) explains that the Lung, and specifically our respiratory system, represents our first postnatal contact with the Mother. In other words, we hear her breathing, we hear her heart beating, we smell her, and so on. Hence, the opening point of the Ren Mai is located on the Main Lung Meridian.
So… here at TCMYoga®, we’d like to suggest a few questions you can ask yourself to identify whether you have any imbalances in the Ren Mai:
What is your relationship with your mother like?
How do you nourish your soul?
How do you relate to your feminine side?
Do you find it easy to love and be loved?
Do you trust and go with the flow of life?
Are your relationships healthy?
Do you have any self-care routines?

Material taken from the 100-hour TCMYoga® Training Course written by Helena Chacón.
www.tcmyoga.org

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