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Pericardium, Triple Warmer, Governing Vessel, Conception Vessel

Pericardium Description

• Protects the heart from physical or emotional injury

• Affects the deep circulation of the blood in the body

• Responsible for a person being “warm-hearted

• Associated with heart, arteries, veins, blood pressure

Signs of Imbalance:

� Heart Disease � Circulation disorders � Hardening of the arteries � Varicose veins � Tightness in chest � Blood pressure disorders � Angina � Heart palpitations � Overprotective of others � Overprotect own emotions � Emotional vulnerability � Shyness � Insomnia � Excessive or disturbed dreams

Triple Warmer Description

• Governs activities involving all the organs

• Unites respiratory, digestive, eliminative functions

• Corresponds to skin

• Rules immune system

• Yoga to balance triple warmer includes cobra, raised cobra, bow, wise sage arms

Signs of imbalance:

� Poor circulation � Trouble regulating heat in the body � Over-chilly or over-heated � Lymphatic problems � Immune system disorder � Fluid and toxin retention � Allergies � Low resistance to infections or illness � Socially cold � Overprotect own emotions � Emotional vulnerability � Shyness � Insomnia � Excessive or disturbed dreams

Governing Vessel

• Corresponds to the brain and nervous system

• Brings energy up for action and doing

• Yoga to balance governing vessel include spinal twists

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Signs of imbalance:

� Backache � Nervous disorder � Tremors � Epilepsy � Lack of vitality � Sexual disorders

Conception Vessel

• Associated with sexual organs

• Brings energy down for contemplation and feeling

• Yoga postures to balance conception vessel include scorpion, downward dog on forearms with legs on wall, bridge, fish

Signs of imbalance:

� Reproductive problems � Fibroids � Lumps � Hernias � Coldness � Weakness � Lack of willpower

Pericardiam, Triple Warmer, Governing Vessel, Conception Vessel Mudras

Gupta Mudra – Enhances immunity; grounding, increasing sexual potency; creates a sense of protection and well being; balances and increases overall immunity; may be contraindicated for autoimmune disorders.

1. Place the hands in front of the abdomen 2. Interlace the fingers inward with the right thumb over the left 3. Press the palms gently together to create a protected and secure pace within the

hands Apana – Energizes entire nervous system; assists three part breathing; helps breathing problems and depression; contraindicated for high blood pressure.

1. Bend the index finger down to touch the thenar eminence of the thumb 2. Fold the thumb over the index finger 3. Bring the tips of the middle and ring fingers to the tip of the thumb 4. Extend the little finger 5. Rest the back of the hands on

Shivalingam Mudra – For personal power and standing strong in the face of obstacles

1. With each hand, touch the thumbs to the index and ringer fingers 2. Extend the middle and little fingers 3. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs or knees.

Prithivi: Reduces stress, balances lower chakras, supports skeletal system, helps elimination; helps osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, constipation.

1. In each hand, bring the tips of the thumb and ring fingers together 2. Extend the index, middle, and little fingers

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3. Rest the back of the hands on thighs or knees 4. Sense the energetic connection where the fingers meet

Mahasirs: Quiets the senses and brings energy down away from the head; eliminates mucous congestion; releases jaw; helps headaches and sinus problems. Begin cautiously for headaches.

1. Curl the ring finger into the palm of the hand 2. Bring the middle and index finger to the thumb 3. Extend the little finger 4. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs or knees

Shankha: Creates a sense of safety and security like a turtle within its shell; calms nervous system; good for hyperthyroidism, reduces metabolism; opens throat, boosts self-esteem; good for actors and singers for voice enhancement

1. Enclose the right fist around the left thumb 2. Touch the left index finger to the right thumb. 3. Place light pressure with the remaining fingers of the left hand onto the closed fist

of the right hand. 4. Switch sides.

Anjali: Invokes the spirit within ourselves and those we meet; helps fear, anxiety, immune imbalance, heart disease.

1. Place the hands together in front of the heart, leaving a small space between the palms

2. Sense the contact between the finger tips and the base of the palms 3. Move the forearms toward parallel to the earth

Paschima: Directs breath and energy into the spine, back of neck and head; good for back pain, spinal and disk issues. Use caution for headache or head injury.

1. Right hand - Place thumb, middle, and little fingers together with index and ring fingers extended (rudra mudra)

2. Left hand – Place the thumb on top of the nail of the index finger while extending the other fingers.

Prajna Prana Kriya: Opens and deconditions the survival centers of the brain stem; slows breath and metabolism; especially helps with the deepest core issues of survival, stress, and anxiety.

1. In each hand, place the index finger on the lower joint of the thumb 2. Gently press the finger into the joint as you extend the other fingers 3. Sense the circuit of energy within the circle formed by the thumb and index finger

Hakini Mudra: Directs the breath into and opens the entire body; Begin slowly with all health conditions

1. Press the tips of the fingers of one hand into tips of the fingers of the other hands 2. Experiment with the pressure until you find the desired energetic connection

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Marma: Moves prana into the joints, especially the jaw; great for joint pain and stiffness; arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, poor sensation in the extremities.

1. Right hand – Place thumb and ring fingers together with other fingers extended. 2. Left hand – Place thumb and middle fingers together with other fingers extended.

Pericardiam, Triple Warmer, Governing Vessel, Conception Vessel Affirmations

My life is at the center of the highest consciousness; there is no distance between me and the heart of highest consciousness; I am in the center of my good; It is unfolding where I am and everywhere; At all times, at all places, I – and everyone – are in the heart of highest consciousness; There is no leaving it – and there is no being left. When I feel most alone, I am still held safely; When I am most afraid, I am still protected. All events, however painful, move toward the good. The Universe cradles my heart. I find comfort and support from many sources. I am cradled and caressed by loving forces which guide me to my good. I am able, on ever-deepening levels, to feel safe and protected as I move in the world. I am a healer and my love is medicine. Love is the greatest medicine. I ask to be healing medicine for others. I ask my heart to expand its boundaries and to love others as they wish to be loved. I ask my heart to expand its boundaries and open to my being loved as I wish to be loved. Body and soul are one. There is no separation between body and soul, spirit and matter. One essence, one unity, runs through all of life. This essence, Life-force, is completely pure, completely perfect. I claim for myself the health and perfection of this divine force. My body is beautiful, sacred, and beloved. Spirit infuses my body with radiant goodness. I experience vitality, enthusiasm, energy, and power. My physical nature and my spiritual nature are one and the same. My body’s needs and urges are divine in origin. As I listen to my inner guidance, I move to more and more perfect health, more and more abundance energy, more and more positive thoughts, feelings, and actions. My physical body is a conduit for my spiritual health to pour forth into the world. I build my physical health upon a spiritual basis. As I turn my attention to the Life Force within me, my spiritual health improves. And as my spiritual health improves, my physical vitality is strengthened. All sense of strain and exhaustion, all sense of being overwhelmed or fatigued washes away as I remind myself that this Life Force is the source of my energy, the Source of my power. This Life Force is the great creator. With Life Force within me, I create radiant good health. I create beauty and serenity within my body. With the Life Force within me, I release all negative thoughts and conditions which weaken me physically and spiritually. As I increase my spiritual health, my physical health improves as well. Remembering that my body is a gift from Life itself, I care for it with loving attention and it responds with radiant health.

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The Universe responds to my dreams and needs. There is a unity flowing through all things. This unity is responsive to our needs. Unity responds and reacts to our positive spoken word. We are co-creative beings working with – and within – a larger whole. We embrace and contain this Source, which embraces and contains us. Drawing upon this inner source, we have unlimited supply. We are ourselves creations. We are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves. This is Life-Force extending itself through us. Creativity is Life’s gift to us. Creativity is our gift back to Life. It is the natural extension of our creative nature to manifest our dreams. Our dreams come from a divine source. Moving in the direction of our dreams moves us toward our destiny. My creativity is divine in nature, human in form. Life is energy, pure creative energy. This energy is the source of all I desire, all I need, all I want. When I call upon this source to supply me, I am freed from depending on people, institutions, and hierarchies. My good comes to me from all directions, from all quarters. No one person can block my good. No circumstance can circumvent me. There are ways and means for the Universe to reach me beyond my imagining. I ask the Universe directly to supply my needs. I listen for guidance and expect support in all I undertake.

Asana

Pericardium Separate Leg Forward Fold with reverse namaste hands (YTT 72A add hands) Table reverse hands Reverse Plank (YTT 30) Tabletop (YTT 30A)

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Triple Warmer Wise Sage Arms (Arms in YTT 35 or TPM) Raised Cobra (YTT 51) Bow (YTT 54) Conception Vessel Fish (YTT 59) Scorpion Forearm Balance with legs straight up Inverted Staff Pose Dolphin Plank Bridge (YTT 55) Governing Vessel Any spinal twist from the YTT

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Assisted Poses

Assisted Poses for Pericardium Assisted Reverse Namaste

• Ask the client to move their hands into reverse Namaste behind their back. They can do this in standing, kneeling or sitting.

• Engage her in resistance in two ways. 1. Place your hands under her

forearms and ask her to press into your hands. After five breaths, ask her to slide her hands further up her back with your assistance. Sometimes the hands get stuck in the shirt or bra strap, so you can help her overcome these obstacles. J

2. Place your hands above the client’s elbows in the front of her arm. Ask her to press her arms into your hands. After five breaths ask her to move her arms back toward you with your assistance. Repeat the resistance twice more if the client can tolerate it. Assisted Poses for Triple Warmer Assisted Childs Pose 1

• Ask the client to move into child’s pose with the forearms palms down.

• Lean over the client to press on the buttocks while carefully placing your feet transversely across the meaty part of the client’s forearms if she can tolerate it.

• Hold to the client’s tolerance.

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Assisted Sphinx 1

• Ask the client to move into sphinx or cobra.

• Straddle the client and press on her buttocks as she resists you.

• After five breaths of resistance, ask the client to deepen into the pose.

• Repeat the resistance twice more if the client can tolerate it.

Assisted Sphinx 2

• Ask the client to move into sphinx or cobra.

• Sit on her buttocks and recline back onto her legs.

• The client can press into the weight of your body for five breaths and then deepen the pose if she can tolerate it.

Assisted Cobra

• Ask the client to come into cobra pose.

• Sitting on the client’s legs press forward on the client’s low back, elongating it from the sacrum.

• The client can resist this movement and then move deeper into the pose.

• Repeat the resistance if the client can tolerate it.

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Assisted Wise Sage Arms

• Ask the client to sit in a position that allows them a good base of support.

• Ask the client to reach the right hand overhead and behind the back while the left arm reaches from below and behind the back. The client can hold a strap between the hands if flexibility is limited.

• Make sure that the right arm is positioned so the center of the underside of the arm is facing forward, instead of facing to the right.

• Place your left arm on the client’s left shoulder blade and the right hand against the underside of the client’s right arm.

• As you press down on the shoulder blade and press the right arm back, ask the client to resist your efforts.

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• After five breaths, ask the client to deepen the pose by drawing her shoulder blade into the back and pressing her right arm further behind her.

• Repeat the resistance twice more if the client can tolerate it. Assisted Poses for Conception Vessel Assisted Bridge Pose

• Ask the client to move into bridge pose.

• From the client’s head, place your hands on the client’s shoulder blades and draw toward you.

• The client can resist you for five breaths.

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• After five breaths, ask the client to deepen the pose with your assistance by lifting her heart.

• Repeat the resistance twice more if the client can tolerate it.

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Assisted Fish Pose

• Ask the client to move into fish pose.

• From the client’s head, place your hands on the client’s shoulder blades and draw upward.

• The client can resist you for five breaths.

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• After five breaths, ask the client to deepen the pose with your assistance by lifting her heart.

• Repeat the resistance twice more if the client can tolerate it.

Assisted Inverted Staff Pose

• Ask the client to move into inverted staff pose on the forearms.

• Sit in front of the client on a sticky mat for traction.

• Place your feet on the clients shoulder blades.

• The client can press into you for five breaths.

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• After five breaths, ask the client to deepen the pose by sliding her armpits toward the elbows.

• Resist twice more if the patient can tolerate it.

REFERENCES Thank you to Sally Watson and Bethany Peabody for graciously modeling. Cameron, Julia. Heart Steps: Prayers and Declarations for a Creative Life. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc. Gach, Michael Reed. (1984). The Organ Meridians Flash Cards. Acupressure Institute: Berkeley, CA. Judith, Anodea. (1996). Eastern Body Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self. Celestial Self: Berkeley, CA. LePage, Joseph. (2005). Yoga Teacher’s Toolbox. Integrative Yoga Therapy. www.iytyogatherapy.com. LePage, Joseph. (2003). Integrative Yoga Therapy Professional Yoga Therapist Manual. Orlanski, Daniel. (2008). Meridian Yoga: Opening the Energetic Pathways. Kripalu Center for Yoga and Healing: Stockbridge, MA.