Guiding and Yielding – the Art of Meridian Massage

Responding is the key

Chinese medical theory is the science of Meridian Massage.
But how do we actually “do Meridian Massage?” That is the art, and it will be unique to every practitioner.

Guiding and Yielding

This simple principle has become the basis of all that I do within my self-care practices, and my work with others. Guiding and yielding are intentions that I embody as I allow the science to flow through me. The flow of this intention mixed with science becomes a creative expression of healing energy.

Guide: offer contact to an acupressure point. Notice the response.
Yield: respond based on the response, increase or decrease the pressure, be still, add movement, move onto another point, pause and wonder.

To offer is to guide

The offer may be a verbal cue, a question, a reflection during a conversation. It may be the slow and steady increase of pressure to a point or area of the body. This is the time that I am “doing something, ” and the client is receiving.

To respond is to yield.

I notice a tightening in their face that may reflect pain, apprehension, tension in response to my contact – so I lighten, soften, and ask if the pressure is too much? They may tell me that pain is now arising in another place, so I follow their direction and make contact in that place.
I notice that they take a deep breath for the first time during the session – I remain quiet in my contact and I may ask what just changed for them.

The art of yielding

In order to yield and respond, I have to notice. In order to discern subtle changes, I have an on-going practice of self-awareness and contemplation that increases my ability to present with each person.
To guide, I learn the science of Chinese medicine: meridians, acupoints, Qi (energy), Organ Systems, Yin and Yang, the Four Vital Substances.
To yield, I practice self-awareness through meditation, Qi Gong, Yoga, Astrology, I Ching, being with Nature.

Meridian Massage

For me, Meridian Massage is an approach to hands-on healing and self-care that is an expression of each practitioner’s understanding of the science of Chinese medicine and their relationship with their inner nature. Out of this experience, each practitioner expresses their style of guiding and yielding into a unique offering of healing.