Movement during the Mangzhong Season
I. The Seated Exercise of Mangzhong
The original text from "Zunsheng Bajian" is as follows: "Governs the Shaoyang of the three Qi. Corresponds to the Shaoyin of the Heart,君主火 (Monarch Fire). Seated Exercise: Every day at Yin and Mao hours (3-5 AM and 5-7 AM), stand upright and lean back, raise both hands overhead, and push forcefully to the left and right, five to seven times each. Hold the breath, grind the teeth, practice breathing exercises, and swallow saliva. Cures: Accumulation in the waist and kidneys, consumption, dry throat, heart pain, thirst, yellow eyes, flank pain, diabetes, excessive laughing, easily startled, forgetfulness, coughing and spitting upwards, diarrhea downwards, body pain and thigh pain, heart sorrow, neck pain, flushed face."
During the Mangzhong solar term, metabolism is vigorous and growth is rapid. This exercise is named "Mangzhong" because it is designed to adapt to the characteristics of this season. It is suitable for practice during Mangzhong, starting from Mangzhong and continuing until the Summer Solstice. In the Mangzhong season, diseases in the human body often manifest in the Shaoyin of the Heart meridian. The Shaoyin of the Heart meridian originates in the heart, belongs to the heart system, passes down through the diaphragm, and connects with the small intestine. One of its branches separates from the heart system, travels upward alongside the esophagus, and connects to the eye system. The conditions mentioned in the text that this exercise treats—heart pain, dry throat, thirst, flank and chest pain, excessive laughing, forgetfulness, heart sorrow, palpitations, and even yellow eyes and diabetes—are all related to disorders of the Shaoyin of the Heart meridian. Practicing this exercise has a good preventive effect.
Specific Method: Every day between 3 AM and 7 AM, stand upright and lean back, raise both hands overhead, and push forcefully to the left and right, five to seven times each. Calm the mind, then grind the teeth 36 times, regulate breathing, and swallow saliva nine times, guiding it to the Dantian. Can treat: waist and kidney diseases, general weakness, dry throat, heart pain, yellow eyes, flank pain, diabetes, palpitations and forgetfulness, vomiting and diarrhea, soreness in the waist and legs, vexation, soreness in the head and neck, red face, etc.
II. Pore Regulation Breathing Exercise
Indications: Skin diseases.
Specific Method: Stand naturally with feet shoulder-width apart, arms hanging naturally at the sides, palms facing inward, middle fingertips touching the Fengshi acupoint. Lift the crown of the head, touch the palate with the tongue, lift the anus, and clear the mind of distracting thoughts. Relax the whole body, eyes slightly closed or gazing straight ahead but seeing nothing. Slightly bend the knees and concentrate the mind. Breathe continuously. On the exhale, visualize all 84,000 pores of the body opening to expel qi, releasing all pathogenic and turbid qi. On the inhale, visualize the pores absorbing qi, and the internal organs breathing in harmony with the great qi of the universe. Practice standing post for 20 minutes to achieve the goal of curing diseases and prolonging life.
III. Moxibustion on the Life-Stealing Acupoint Exercise
Indications: Treats erysipelas.
Specific Method: Can be done standing or sitting. Use a moxa stick to moxibustion the Duoming acupoint for 10 minutes. The erysipelas will change color immediately. Perform moxibustion twice daily, in the morning and evening. The Duoming acupoint is located at the midpoint of the line between the Jianliao (shoulder joint) and Chize (Elbow) acupoints.
IV. Tongue Rolling Guiding Exercise
Indications: Urticaria.
Specific Method: Stand naturally with feet shoulder-width apart, arms hanging naturally at the sides, palms facing inward, middle fingertips touching the Fengshi acupoint. Lift the crown of the head, touch the palate with the tongue, lift the anus, and clear the mind of distracting thoughts. Relax the whole body. Roll the tongue upward to lightly touch the palate until saliva is produced, then swallow it. Concentrate on your breathing. The inhale should be long and fine. On the exhale, visualize all 84,000 pores of the body opening. Practice for at least 10 minutes each time.
V. Shoulder, Elbow, and Hip Relaxation Exercise
Indications: Periarthritis of the shoulder, rheumatic pain in the scapula, numbness of the palm and fingers, numbness in the elbow and arm, etc.
Specific Method: Sit upright on a chair with feet shoulder-width apart, thighs and calves forming a 90-degree angle. Straighten the torso, relax the whole body, and slightly tuck the chin in. Gaze straight ahead and relax the whole body. 1. Bend the elbows and lift them up, palms facing upward, fingertips pointing towards the ribs, then swing the hands forward, palms up and fingertips forward, slightly above the navel. 2. With the palm root as the center, draw an arc outward and backward with the fingertips until the middle fingers meet in front of the chest, at a height level with the nose tip, palms facing outward and thumbs down. 3. Press the backs of the hands together, extend the palms forward, thumbs down, with the palms slightly above the navel. 4. Separate the palms and draw arcs backward, like a swimming stroke, until the hands reach the Mingmen acupoint on the back, with the Hegu points touching, palms facing upward. 5. Draw the palms forward from the back, backs of the hands forward, until they are in front of the body, with the backs of the hands still touching and thumbs down. 6. Pull the elbows back, simultaneously moving the palms back to the chest, with the middle fingers touching, palms forward, and thumbs down. 7. With fingertips pointing backward and outward, flip the palms upward and draw an arc forward until the arms are straight and slightly above the navel, fingertips forward and palms up. 8. Draw the fingertips inward and backward in an arc, pass by the ribs to the Mingmen acupoint on the back, with the Hegu points touching and palms facing diagonally upward. To finish, let the hands hang naturally at the sides of the body.
VI. Breathing Regulation to Reduce Fever Exercise
Indications: Body heat, back pain.
Specific Method: Lie on your back in bed without a pillow, legs straight and together, arms straight at the sides. Slightly close the mouth and breathe deeply, finely, evenly, and long through the nose. One exhale and one inhale count as one breath. Perform a total of 64 breaths. On the inhale, visualize the qi entering directly into the lower abdomen. On the exhale, visualize the qi being expelled through the pores of the entire body.
VII. Acupoint Pressing and Massage Exercise
Indications: Sores, malignant swellings, etc.
Specific Method: Sit upright on a chair with feet shoulder-width apart, thighs and calves forming a 90-degree angle. Straighten the torso, relax the whole body, and slightly tuck the chin in. Relax the whole body. Use the left thumb to press and massage the Liaoyu acupoint on the right arm 108 times, then use the right thumb to press and massage the Liaoyu acupoint on the left arm 108 times. Perform this once in the morning and once in the evening daily. The Liaoyu acupoint is located 4 cun above the third wrist crease on the radial side of the forearm. There is one acupoint on each arm.