Acupressure for Tender Hearts
While the world news as it is presented in the media is rarely uplifting, as of late it has been especially saddening to say the least. In the midst of heartache, it is important that we regularly check in with ourselves to see what is needed for our bodies, minds, and spirits to stay afloat.
Self-abhyanga, the practice of Ayurvedic oil application to one’s body, is the most effective practice I have found for tending the spirit while fortifying the body. I had suggested it in the seasonal suggestions of the last newsletter, and I hope you’ve been able to put it into practice. If you’re unfamiliar with abhyanga, you can learn how to with instructions here.
While you’re rubbing your body with oil, I suggest taking a little extra time making circles with your palm on the acupuncture point Heart 3. You’ll find it at the inner elbow of each arm. One of the advantages of applying pressure to Heart 3 in a circular way with the palm is you’ll also be applying pressure to the palm and the incredibly useful points of Heart 8 and Pericardium 8. All these points are indicated in calming the spirit and relieving heat from the channels leading to the heart and the area of the head.
Acupuncture point Heart 3 via A Manual Of Acupuncture by Kevin Baker, Mazin Al-Khafaji, and Peter Deadman
With such intensely tragic events it is easy to have our reactions match that intensity and then to feel compelled to take action or use our voices in a similarly intense fashion. While this domino effect is natural in a way, it may not be desirable. Working with the body-mind via the Heart channel in this way can help us feel and respond as opposed to react. That urgency behind reaction is often driven by what we see as Heat. A response can still be urgent and intense, but it is that way because that response was chosen rather than the driver.
Heat can also act like a magnifying glass on our emotions, making them seem bigger and more wild than they may need to be. If any of the emotions you’re feeling in response to life or world events feel overwhelming, try using these points to allow them to become a little more manageable for your body-mind.
I hope you’ll allot a little time to abhyanga in the next few days and notice the way it feels to tend to Heart 3 (and Heart 8 and Pericardium 8 in the process).
While I find this acupressure most effective when paired with abhyanga for calming the spirit, it works well without oil and even done over clothes.
We are in the season of self-care where something (even something tiny) is so much better than nothing.
Sending out love to any tender hearts.