Sick Winds and Trapped Gases
Taoist healers refer to air trapped in the body as ‘evil wind’ or ‘sick wind.’ Trapped air or gas in the body can originate from certain foods, extreme changes in weather, the fluctuation of the seasons, emotional ups and downs, and lack of movement. Each organ has its own kind of air and gas and all gas is not sick. It is only a problem when it is found in the wrong part of the body or if it is trapped in knots of the fascia, organs, muscles, or tendons.
Movements of tai chi, Taoist yoga, rolling the abdomen, even standing, walking, and basic stretching can move trapped gas from the body. Lack of movement can cause trapped gas. Trapped gas leads to stiffness, tightness, and numbness, which discourages movement. Most of us have trapped winds and therefore stuck fluid and energy flow. Poor circulation of fluid or energy in the abdomen is important to remove, because it will negatively affect the vital organs and the nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems in the abdomen.
In addition to trapped gas causing knots in the abdomen, it can negatively affect the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes become swollen and hard from trying to eliminate toxins and gas. Massaging the lymph nodes, particularly in the neck, armpits, navel, and the groin, can eliminate gas and toxins and help energy flow more freely. Each organ produces a different quality of energy and type of gas or wind when it is not well.
A Chi Nei Tsang (Abdominal Massage) practitioner can help move sick winds from the body. More importantly the practitioner can teach you how to take care of yourself. Two websites include directories for these practitioners and Taoist instructors of many different exercises: www.universal-tao.com and www.healing-tao.org . Good luck!
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