Managing stress is always important, but never more so than during emotionally challenging times like these. Whether you are quarantined alone, with three kids, or with your new love interest, all kinds of emotions and worries can pop up; we are dealing with an unprecedented circumstance (and a novel virus!). This is human nature. Of course, we all know that heightened stress can challenge your immune system. This is why it’s essential to manage your stress in healthy ways and be gentle with yourself.
I’ve composed a short list of some of my favorite acupuncture points combined with yoga poses that you can stimulate on your own with acupressure. Acupressure is an extension of acupuncture; you can use acupuncture points, and their energetic qualities to achieve similar results by using your own finger pressure, without puncturing the skin. Combining two of my favorite stress relievers, yoga and acupuncture, achieves a deep sense of calm and balance.
Once you find the pose and the acupressure point, stimulate the point lightly using pressure from your finger or thumb. Again, the pressure does not have to be hard. This stimulation can be done as a constant pressure or pulsation - listen to your body and how it responds best.
Here are three acupressure/yoga pose combinations. You can do these pose/pressure combos on their own, or together. You may want yoga blocks (thick books work, too!), a blanket, towel or pillows to help you comfortably get into the poses.
#1: Will-Power Bolstering Acupressure Point + Bound Angle to Release and Calm Fearful Thoughts
Here is a guide for correctly entering the pose:
https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/bound-angle-pose
If your knees are above your hips in this pose, you can support them with blocks or pillows. Bound Angle, or Baddha Konasana, is a hip opener. Many yogis believe emotions are stored in the hips, so there may be some emotional release with this yoga + acupressure combination.
Once you are in the pose, instead of grasping the big toe, wrap your four fingers around the front of your ankle, and use your thumb to stimulate the sixth acupuncture point on the kidney channel, (KD6). This point is also known as Shining Sea (English name) and Zhaohai (Chinese translation). Other useful applications of KD 6 are treatment of sore throat, insomnia, balancing hormones and calming the mind.
KD 6 is located a little below the tip of the medial malleolus (the round knob on the inside of your ankle). You can feel around this area to see where it is most sensitive. If you are feeling comfortable, you can also fold forward to deepen the pose. Take 10 full, even (not forceful), breaths here through your nose, in and out.
Visualize fear leaving your body with every exhale, and your will power growing stronger with every inhale.
#2 Immunity and Energy Boosting Acupressure Point + Reclined Figure 4
Again, I defer to another site to enter this pose: https://www.pharmaca.com/projectwellness/yoga-pose-of-the-week-figure-4/
In this pose, you will hold your legs by grasping underneath the bottom leg. The top leg will be the leg you use for acupressure. I find it easiest to use my pointer finger to stimulate ST36 in this pose. Make sure both shoulder blades are still contacting the floor, and flex (or flex and point), your feet for more active stretch and stimulation.
ST 36 is also known as Leg Three Miles (English name), and Zu San Li (Chinese translation). Leg Three Miles refers to the ability of this point to increase your energy, allowing you to literally walk another three miles even though you are tired. It is helpful in treating fatigue, and also easing digestive issues, such as constipation or loose stool.
ST 36 is located on the lower leg, three body inches (the width of your four fingers without the thumb), below the base of the kneecap, one finger’s width to the outside of the ridge of the tibia bone.
If you are feeling comfortable, take 10 full and even (not forceful), breaths here through your nose, in and out.
Imagine your whole body building strength and resiliency with every breath!
#3 Lung Strengthening Acupressure Point + Seated Twist for Grief and Release.
Twists in yoga are a great way to open up the chest and back, relieve anxiety and even stimulate digestion in the lower intestines. (Coincidentally Large intestine is the organ system Lungs are paired with in Chinese medicine!)
Here is the proper way to enter a seated twist: https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/half-lord-of-the-fishes-pose
Instead of extending your hand out (the one that’s not on the ground), use your thumb to find the first point on the Lung acupuncture meridian, LU 1. This point is also known as Central Treasury (English name) and Zhong Fu (Chinese translation).
LU1 is located on the front of the chest. It is just below the clavicle in the 1st intercostal space, in front of the deltoid muscle. From the midline of the body to the nipple is a measurement of 4 “cun” (body inches), and this point is six from the center, so around a couple of inches beyond that. Again, you can push around the area to find the sensitive point. When you find it, stimulate this point using your thumb and wrapping your other four fingers around the upper arm to allow good pressure.
The lung channel can help strengthen breathing function, and the lung organs are affected negatively by grief. Because it is so important to keep the lungs healthy, it is beneficial to process any grief that comes up during this time in a healthy way. Twists, intentional breathing and acupressure in combination are a great way to do this.
When you’re feeling comfortable in the pose, and have found the point, take 10 even breaths in this pose on each side. The opposite emotion of grief in Chinese medicine is courage.
With each breath, you may breathe out your grief and sadness and breath in courage and strength.
- Jennifer Best L.Ac, CYT (Yogaworks Center for Yoga)