The power of TOUCH

Self-care is like the in flight safety you never listen to. The step by step process of what to do in the event of an emergency. We find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, the current pandemic throwing a curve ball on our norm. With the shift to our new domesticated lifestyles we are feeling a disconnect, overwhelmed by the uncertainty and not quite sure what to do.

This time should be seen as a gift. We have finally been given permission to stop, to clear our schedules and reconnect with ourselves; It’s the pause we have all been waiting for. The ‘oxygen mask’ has dropped.

What better way to reconnect with ourselves than through touch. The power of touch is profound, an energetic ‘I see you’, and although some of us are unable to find a ‘touch point’ with the outside world, it doesn’t mean we can’t find comfort and connection in self touch.

Acupressure is a gentle, yet extremely powerful form of bodywork. It stems from the ancient art of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), built on a foundation of prevention. It works with the energy systems of the body, which profoundly affect our physical health, our emotional state, and our spiritual wellbeing. By creating flow and harmony at the energy level, acupressure also brings deep relaxation and healing to our body, our emotions and our spirit.

This sequence of acu-points offers a means to down-regulate our nervous systems during this time of uncertainty. By weaving these points in to your day, it will assist in helping to find emotional balance and an sense of connectedness to self.

We invite you to apply this touch with self-compassion, treating yourself with the same kindness, concern and support you’d show good friend. Integrate a soft and slow oscillation of breath and find comfort in knowing that we will move past this. Our world is not permanent, rather, transitory - we are in a constant state of change; where we are now does not determine where we will end up.

Find a comfortable place to lay down, be present and give yourself the time you deserve.

PERICARDIUM 6 / P 6

P6 is located three finger widths below the wrist crease on the inner forearm between the two tendons. Apply gentle but firm pressure with thumb.

P6, the heart protector, a blessing when we are experiencing emotions of anxiety or panic by calming a thumping or racing heart. It plays an important role by allowing us to feel emotional warmth and strengthens our connection to others. The pericardium meridian runs through the heart, chest and upper belly which all correlate to the areas we physically manifest emotional ups and downs.

P6 helps to relieve a tight chest, helps to reduce bloating or stomach pain, especially for those who suffer around your period and is a great point for alleviating nausea or vomiting during pregnancy.

Simulate point bilaterally for 2-3 minutes each. Choose to either hold or massage anticlockwise in order to ‘unwind’.

CONCEPTION VESSEL 17 / CV 17

CV17 is located on the breast bone, just below the fourth rib, in line with the nipples.

Our chest centre or CV17 is known for freeing our hearts of tension, allowing us to find balance in our emotions. When stimulated, it helps to rebuild a connection from the heart to the rest of our bodies, allowing us to be open and to receive and give love. Physically, CV17 tonifies and regulates lung Qi or energy flow, clears phlegm or congestion in the chest, reduces feelings of anxiety, calms heart palpitations and can relives indigestion. This is the ultimate self-help point.

Simulate point for 2-3 minutes each. Choose to either hold or massage anticlockwise in order to ‘unwind’. It is best to stimulate this point while lying down.

YIN TANG

Yin Tang is located at the midpoint between our eyebrows, also known as the ‘third eye’. Find a comfortable position and use your index and middle finger to apply gentle apply pressure or massage this point.

A powerful point for calming the mind and spirit, Yin Tang is used to soothe anxiety, agitation, frontal headaches and find balance when suffering from dizziness. It also assists with insomnia and helps to clear nasal obstruction or congestions. This point, paired with slow deeps breaths while closing your eyes disperses facial tension and leads the mind to stillness

Simulate point for 2-3 minutes. Choose to either hold or massage anticlockwise in order to ‘unwind’.

You can apply acupressure to this point several times a day, or as needed for your symptoms to slowly dissipate. Yin Tang can be coupled with repeated slow-moving sweeping strokes in an outward direction towards the temples, followed by sweeping under the eyes and again out to the temples. Repeat the slow sweep 10 times. This is known as havening, a technique used to produce an extrasensory response of safety that emulates that of a mothers nurturing touch at the time of birth. To reduce feelings of fear or anxiety, think about or speak the words - safe, connected and loved while gently and simultaneously sweeping your forehead and face.

LARGE INTESTINE 4 / LI 4

The location of LI 4 lays in the web between the index finger and the thumb, closer to the edge of your second metacarpal bone. Grip it with your opposite index and thumb. It can be quite tender, so when applying pressure, try to relax and breathe into it.

This point is known as the great eliminator for things such as toxic thought, constipation, bitterness or resentment, it soothes the mind and is great for general pain relief. Along with the emotional releases, it may assist in relaxing jaw tension and other head related tension like migraines, tension headaches, nasal congestion, earache or a sore throat.

I invite you to spend some time sitting with this point. By doing so you will be holding hands with yourself, in a quiet, contemplative pose, right here, in the present moment.

This point is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Simulate point bilaterally for 2-3 minutes each.

This material is presented as information only, not as a course of treatment or replacement for medical advice. Information is not a substitution for qualified medical advice. If you don't know what is causing the pain or other symptom, consult a medical doctor before you start treating yourself.