The Healing Sound Method for the Liver Qi is, in particular, promoting this timely movement of the yang and yin aspects of our immune system through each of the 12 channels of qi and their associated organs.
In TCM, our immune system is comprised of a yang aspect, called Defensive/Guard Qi (Wei Qi 卫气), and a yin aspect, called Nutritive/Camp Qi (ying qi 营气).
The Guard Qi is the fiercest yang aspect of our qi and, when the body is under attack from a virus, it is first deployed through the pores of the skin to “Release the Exterior”, driving the pathogen out with sweat.
The Camp Qi is the most yin aspect of qi, flowing with the blood throughout all the vessels and organs, supporting and strengthening the Guard Qi from within, continuing the fight against invading pathogens once they have breached our first line of defense.
The qi (and blood) circulate through the body, night and day, and never stop. But according to TCM, there is a cycle created by each in and out breath that moves the qi up and down; it takes 270 breaths to complete a cycle through all the channels, and 50 cycles (25 cycles to pass through the yang channels, and 25 cycles to pass through the yin channels) constitute up the passage of qi in one day and one night....so, a 24 hour period.
During the day (yang time), the qi proceeds along the channels through the body, so we can be active in mind and body; during the night (yin time), when one is asleep and the mind is calm, the qi spreads through the internal organs, replenishing them and preparing for the activity to come on the following day.
It is the harmonizing, free flowing and qi spreading function of the Liver that regulates these cycles, which begin with our first breath upon waking. One cycle begins in the channel of the Lung qi, completes its passage in the channel of the Liver qi, and then begins all over again in the channel of the Lung qi. Breathing in and out, the qi moves up and down.
In the Healing Sound Method for the Liver Qi, both the sound and the body movement “spread” the qi, opening the boundaries of the chest and the middle to allow space for the free flow of breath, blood, and emotions. This, in turn, harmonizes the smooth and easy functions of all bodily activities, giving ease and comfort to body and mind.
Chart of the Liver Meridian.
From Shisi Jing Fahui 十四经发挥 - Careful Elaboration on the 14 Meridians by the physician Hua Shou 滑寿 (~1304-1386).
