Pericardium, Triple Warmer, Governing Vessel, Conception Vessel

Pericardium, Triple Warmer,Governing Vessel, Conception VesselPericardium 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 pressureSigns of Imbalance: Heart Disease Hardening of the arteries Tightness in chest Angina Overprotective of others Emotional vulnerability Insomnia Circulation disorders Varicose veins Blood pressure disorders Heart palpitations Overprotect own emotions Shyness Excessive or disturbed dreamsTriple 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 armsSigns of imbalance: Poor circulation Over-chilly or over-heated Immune system disorder Allergies Socially cold Emotional vulnerability Insomnia Trouble regulating heat in the body Lymphatic problems Fluid and toxin retention Low resistance to infections or illness Overprotect own emotions Shyness Excessive or disturbed dreamsGoverning Vessel• Corresponds to the brain and nervous system• Brings energy up for action and doing• Yoga to balance governing vessel include spinal twists1

Signs of imbalance: Backache Tremors Lack of vitality Nervous disorder Epilepsy Sexual disordersConception Vessel• Associated with sexual organs• Brings energy down for contemplation and feeling• Yoga postures to balance conception vessel include scorpion, downward dog onforearms with legs on wall, bridge, fishSigns of imbalance: Reproductive problems Lumps Coldness Lack of willpower Fibroids Hernias WeaknessPericardiam, Triple Warmer, Governing Vessel, Conception Vessel MudrasGupta Mudra – Enhances immunity; grounding, increasing sexual potency; creates asense of protection and well being; balances and increases overall immunity; may becontraindicated for autoimmune disorders.1. Place the hands in front of the abdomen2. Interlace the fingers inward with the right thumb over the left3. Press the palms gently together to create a protected and secure pace within thehandsApana – Energizes entire nervous system; assists three part breathing; helps breathingproblems and depression; contraindicated for high blood pressure.1. Bend the index finger down to touch the thenar eminence of the thumb2. Fold the thumb over the index finger3. Bring the tips of the middle and ring fingers to the tip of the thumb4. Extend the little finger5. Rest the back of the hands onShivalingam Mudra – For personal power and standing strong in the face of obstacles1. With each hand, touch the thumbs to the index and ringer fingers2. Extend the middle and little fingers3. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs or knees.Prithivi: Reduces stress, balances lower chakras, supports skeletal system, helpselimination; helps osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, constipation.1. In each hand, bring the tips of the thumb and ring fingers together2. Extend the index, middle, and little fingers2

3. Rest the back of the hands on thighs or knees4. Sense the energetic connection where the fingers meetMahasirs: Quiets the senses and brings energy down away from the head; eliminatesmucous congestion; releases jaw; helps headaches and sinus problems. Begincautiously for headaches.1. Curl the ring finger into the palm of the hand2. Bring the middle and index finger to the thumb3. Extend the little finger4. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs or kneesShankha: Creates a sense of safety and security like a turtle within its shell; calmsnervous system; good for hyperthyroidism, reduces metabolism; opens throat, boostsself-esteem; good for actors and singers for voice enhancement1. Enclose the right fist around the left thumb2. Touch the left index finger to the right thumb.3. Place light pressure with the remaining fingers of the left hand onto the closed fistof 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 thepalms2. Sense the contact between the finger tips and the base of the palms3. Move the forearms toward parallel to the earthPaschima: Directs breath and energy into the spine, back of neck and head; good forback 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 ringfingers extended (rudra mudra)2. Left hand – Place the thumb on top of the nail of the index finger while extendingthe 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 thumb2. Gently press the finger into the joint as you extend the other fingers3. Sense the circuit of energy within the circle formed by the thumb and index fingerHakini Mudra: Directs the breath into and opens the entire body; Begin slowly with allhealth conditions1. Press the tips of the fingers of one hand into tips of the fingers of the other hands2. Experiment with the pressure until you find the desired energetic connection3

kLAssisted Fish Pose• Ask the client to move intofish pose.• From the client’s head, placeyour hands on the client’sshoulder blades and drawupward.• The client can resist you forfive breaths.• After five breaths, ask the client to deepen the pose with your assistance bylifting her heart.• Repeat the resistance twice more if the client can tolerate it.Assisted Inverted Staff Pose• Ask the client to move intoinverted staff pose on theforearms.• Sit in front of the client on asticky mat for traction.• Place your feet on the clientsshoulder blades.• The client can press into youfor five breaths.• After five breaths, ask the client to deepen the pose by sliding her armpits towardthe elbows.• Resist twice more if the patient can tolerate it.REFERENCESThank you to Sally Watson and Bethany Peabody for graciously modeling.Cameron, Julia. Heart Steps: Prayers and Declarations for a Creative Life. New York: Penguin PutnamInc.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 tothe 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 andHealing: Stockbridge, MA.10