The Governor Vessel: A Lawmaker’s Vase?

No, we are talking about Yin here and its connection to Chinese Medicine. The Yin practice is similar to yoga. It uses the body to move energy through channels in the body. This energy is called Prana in yoga and Chi in Chinese medicine, the basis for Yin. The Governor Vessel is one of those channels, often referred to as a meridian, and it’s a big one! This energy channel runs from the perineum, up the back, over the top of the head, and down the face to the top lip. When the energy is blocked or stagnant in certain areas along its path, it might affect us as backches, headaches, mental disturbances, and cold or allergy illnesses. In Chinese Medicine, acupuncturists use many points along this channel to treat many of those ailments and several more. 

Yoga energy channels are very similar. The Governor Vessel runs along the same passage as Vedic Yoga’s line of energy called the Sushumna Channel. The Sushumna Channel carries Prana from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, intersecting the Chakras (specific points of energy) along the way. Blockages and stagnation in this channel can be found at the particular chakras where the ailment arises.

According to Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Acupressure, the use of herbs and homeopathic tinctures are great ways to unblock Chi, also useful is the practice of Yin. Yin is a movement based system that prescribes its practitioners hold meridian-specific postures for several minutes. This method encourages a gentle stressing of connective tissue and fascia, slowly allowing Chi to begin to flow.

In Yoga practice, the use of postures and movements help the practitioner  to identify with the body. Pranayama (breathwork) then allows this awareness to inhabit the physical and mental body. Meditation takes it one step further, linking us to our energetic body and the Self. This is where the real work unblocking the Chakras begins. Prana travels from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, moving slowly and in unison with the breath, clearing the Chakras along the way. 

The following Sample Yin Practice incorporates both the Yin physical practice to move Chi through the Governor Vessel with the Yogic practice of Pranayama and Meditation to move Prana through the Sushumna Channel:

Yin Practice (1Hour)

Cat & Cow -3mins

Child’s -3mins

Happy Baby -1mins

Upward Swan -3mins

Sphinx -3mins

Seal -1min

Caterpillar -3mins

Half Dragonfly with twists (L/R) -3mins

Happy Baby -2mins

Cat Pulling Its Tail (L/R) -3mins

Dynamic Bridge (5 slow reps) to Supported Bridge -3mins 

Spinal Twists (L/R) -3mins

Savasana -5-10mins

Seated:

Pranayama: Nadi Shodhana (10 reps)

Meditation: 4-Part Spinal Kriya -15mins

          Ascend on inhale, descend on exhale, several minutes in each section: base of the

             spine to the navel, navel to throat, throat to crown, and finally base of the spine to 

             crown.