Balanced Life Tai Chi

The Lao Gong or Pericardium 8 meridian is also also known as the “Palace of Anxiety”. It is the eight point of the heart master channel and is a key point for healing work and Qigong practice. Lao (labor or toil) and Gong (palace) means “Palace of Toil” or palace of labor. The Pericardium is the sac that encases and protects the heart - thus the “Palace”. The Lao Gong is also one of the most powerful acupuncture/acupressure points and is also considered a minor chakra.

Acupressure and acupuncture are forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based on the meridians in the body. Qi (energy) flows along the meridians thoughout your body. Stimulating certain points along these energy pathways can correct imbalances in the mind, the body, and the spirit.

The Lao Gong is located at the center of the palm where the tip of the middle finger touches the palm when you make a fist. In Classical texts it is located where the tip of the ring finger meets the palm when we make a fist (between the 3rd and 4th metacarpal bones). Either location can be used.

The Lao Gong emits and absorb Qi. Your instructor may have instructed you to open your hands to collect energy (i.e., gathering Qi) or possibly cupping your hands to push energy down into our bodies (washing hands down the body). These movements open the Lao Gong points in our palms as we spread out and open our fingers. Also consider the movements we make when we push with our hands. Here we are pushing out energy through our Lao Gong points.

There is an excellent saying by Hilmar Fuchs: “In Tai Chi we don’t keep energy selfishly. We just borrow it for a moment and then give it back to the universe. We connect heaven and earth through ourselves (human).”

The Lao Gong has many functions:

• Removes excess heat in the body.

• Relieves mouth or tongue ulcers and cold sores.

• Relieves fevers which damage the yin.

• Cools the blood in the stool or urine and nosebleeds.

• Can increase internal energy.

• Calms a restless mind.

• Warms cold hand

• Many other functions.

The Lao Gong is also the “power point for balancing the Fire Element”. If there is an imbalance in your Fire Element, you may feel depressed and without joy in your life. Stimulating the Lao Gong can restore your vitality and happiness while also protecting your tender or sensitive heart.

The Lao Gong can be stimulated to ease anxiety and clear inflammation. Here are two ways simple ways to activate the Lao Gong:

• Rest one of your hands with the palm up on top of the fingers and palm of the other hand. Now reach the bottom thumb into the palm of the top hand and with the end or tip of your thumb apply moderate pressure while moving in small circles. Be sure to focus on the point mentally.

• Put both palms together like you are praying in front of your heart center. Now separate them about an inch from each other while moving them in small circles while focusing your attention on the space in between while maintaining the 1 inch distance. Do this about 10 to 15 times. Your eyes can be closed or open but the attention should be on the space between the palms.

• You can also use your thumb of your other hand to press into the Lao Gong. Hold this pressure point for a few minutes until you feel your anxiety decrease. You can do this for each hand.

Notice what you feel….hot, tingling, heaviness, magnetic force or something else.

When the Lao Gong points are activated, Qi flows from the palms and can be used for Qigong healing techniques. People often use it for self healing. The exercises above are certainly worth trying. Just be sure to focus on what you are doing. You may be surprised at how quickly your anxiety decreases.

A few words of caution. In Qigong healing (as well as acupuncture and acupressure) knowledge, training, and experience is absolutely necessary. It’s absolutely apropriate to try the above exercises to decrease your anxiety, restless mind, cold hands, etc. However, attempting to actually “heal” someone else or yourself of more is not recommended. It would be wiser to seek a qualified Qigong Healer, Acupuncture, and/or Acupressure professional.

May you be peaceful and free from anxiety.

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