 The lung is said to be a tender organ which is easily injured. The lung and nose serve several key functions in our body.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the nose has
several important meridians running through it. Rubbing the nose strengthens
these pathways, regulates the temperature, stimulates and improves circulation
in the local tissue, and increases hormone secretion. Those of you who suffer
from various respiratory problems may add these exercises to your regime in
combating those problems.
INTRODUCTION
According to Chinese Medical Theory, the nose is connected
to the lung. The lung and nose serve several key functions in our body. The most important
function is breathing. The nose is the first place into which the breath of
life enters. Most of us take it for granted that the nose continually works for
us in preventing illness. During moderate activity we should breathe through
our nose and not through the mouth. In that way, we let the nose filter out
germs and prevent them from reaching our lungs. The nose does that with the
help of mucous and tiny hairs in the airways.
The nose passageway also helps to regulate the temperature of the air and prevents
extreme cold from invading the lungs. Considering those actions, the nose plays
a key factor in the defense against upper respiratory problems.
Those of you who suffer from various respiratory problems may add these
exercises to your regime in combating those problems. When you do these
exercises make sure not to rub too hard because that will just irritate the
underlying tissue - it is better to do the exercises gently on a regular basis.
Create good habits and repeat each of the exercises 9-36 times.
BRING QI TO THE HANDS
Before starting, make it a habit to rub your hands together.
The friction of the rubbing will generate heat, which feels warming and soothing.
If you like to bring more energy to your palms, contract the front part of
you anal sphincter. This will bring energy to the face and hands. Repeat this
procedure as many times you feel neccessary.
Before you start, I also recommend that you do a small warm up by frowning and squinting and make some funny faces. Squeeze your lips together as if you are kissing someone. Keep the contraction and make a few circular movements with your lips; first to the left and then to the right. Relax and feel your face getting warm and tingly.
REMARKS
I recommend doing each of the following techniques nine to thirty-six times. Start with a general Tui Na of the face then move on to a more specific Tui Na of the nose. Use gentle strokes so that you don't irritate the surrounding tissue, which is sensitive, and easily injured and infected. Rub until you sense a warm feeling in the area. Be kind to yourself and think happy thoughts while doing the exercises.
Try to incorporate the exercises into your daily life. You can do them while waiting for someone or whenever you find you have some free time. It is not time-consuming. You will find that these exercises are soothing and very relaxing.
FOREHEAD
Fold your fingers into loose fists. Use both hands at the same time. Place the side of your index fingers in the middle of the forehead, next to the hairline, then move the palms outwards to the temples, applying moderate pressure. Make a circular movement when reaching the temples. Massage down the forehead towards the eyes.
Lace your fingers together and place your palms on your
forehead with the base of your palms near your temples. Raise your eyebrows
straight up and hold for six counts and then release. Repeat raising and
relaxing your eyebrows several times.
Place two fingertips from each hand in the center of each eyebrow. Pull the
eyebrows apart or outwards, and at the same time try to contract your eyebrows
towards each other, as in an angry scowl. Hold for six counts. Reverse the
above exercise.
Place the middle fingertip of each hand in the center of each eyebrow. Use your
finger to push the eyebrows together or inward. Then contract your forehead to
raise your eyebrows, using your fingers as a resistance. Hold, and then relax.
EYES
Place the fingers on the inner ridge of the eye socket, closest to the nose. Press firmly for a few seconds. Move your fingers 1/3" outward, following the bone, away from the nose, then repeat the pressure. When your fingers reach the outside edge, repeat on the ridge below the eyes. Because the tissue in this area is sensitive, rubbing is not advised.
Place the three fingers of each hand underneath each eye,
pull down, and try to close your eyes. Hold it for six counts and relax. Place the ring finger and middle finger of
each hand at the outer corner of eyes. As you pull the corner of the eyes
towards the hairline, squeeze your eyes shut and hold for six counts. Then open
your eyes and relax. Repeat several times.
CHEEKS
Place your index finger and middle finger below the cheek bone, alongside your nostrils. Make circles on the muscle below the cheekbone, near the nose. Then apply firm pressure and draw your fingers along lower side of the cheekbones, across the cheeks and towards the ears. End with a circular movement at the temples. Take your three center fingers, place them on the apples of the cheeks and push down. At the same time, try to raise your cheeks by smiling.
Make sure you have clean hands before doing this exercise. Hook your thumb in your mouth against the center of the cheek and push out with your thumb. At the same time, contract your cheek towards the teeth and against your thumb. Hold for six counts and then repeat on the other side.
BRIDGE OF THE ROOT
Use the thumb and index finger to pinch the bridge and the root of the nose repeatedly. While you are doing this, imagine that you are inhaling clean cool air and exhaling the humid air filled with germs and carbon dioxide. If it helps, you can imagine that the clean air is white in color and the exhaled air is grey and dark.
MID-NOSE
Place your thumb and third finger on opposing sides of the nose. Let the index finger rest on the bridge. Inhale and press gently with the index finger. Exhale and relax the grip. Feel and absorb the warmth of your fingers into the nasal tissue. Use the pads of your finger tips. Apply a pushing technique, in a downward motion, along the middle part of the bridge of the nose from the point between the eyebrows to the nose tip. Place the major thenar (the thick, meaty portion of your palm below the thumb) between the eyebrows. Use circular kneading and slide the thenar from the eyebrows up the mid-line of the forehead to the hairline.
SIDE OF THE NOSE
Using your index fingers, slowly rub up and down along the sides of the nose. Apply stationary circular pressing to the tissue around nose using one finger. Do this until a distended feeling emerges. Put the two forefingers of one hand horizontally beneath the nose as if making a fake mustache. Use your fingers to gently move the underside of the nose in a back and forth motion. Stop when warmth is felt in the area.
REFERENCES
1. Chi Self-Massage: The Taoist Way of Rejuvination by Mantak Chia. Healing Tao Books, 1986
2. Chinese Tuina Therapy by Pan Chang, New World Press 1998
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