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Bladder/Kidney Meridian Bladder Description

• Center of our will and determination

• Rules the bones

• Rules autonomic nervous system

• Distributes energy stored by the kidneys

Signs of Imbalance: � Enlarged prostate � Urinary retention or incontinence � Osteoarthritis � Osteoporosis � Poor teeth � Prematurely bald or gray � Hearing problems � Vertigo � Restlessness � Low back pain or weakness � Fearfulness � Overreact or underreact to stress � Timidity � Too laid back or inability to relax � Recklessness

Kidney description

• Where our vital energy is stored

• Governs birth, growth, and reproduction

• Anchors the energy taken in by the lungs

Signs of Imbalance: � Kidney problems � Hormonal or endocrine problems � Chronic tiredness � Reproductive or sexual problems � Fluid retention � Abnormal physical development � Hearing problems � Vertigo � Weak bones and teeth � Coldness and pain in low back � Lack of drive � Congenital or hereditary disease � Lack of determination � Inherited psychological condition � Fears and phobias � Restlessness � Forgetfulness

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Mudras Shivalingam Mudra – For personal power and standing strong in the face of obstacles

1. With each hand, touch the thumbs to the index and ringer fingers 2. Extend the middle and little fingers 3. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs or knees

Prithivi: Reduces stress, balances lower chakras, supports skeletal system, helps elimination; helps osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, constipation.

1. In each hand, bring the tips of the thumb and ring fingers together 2. Extend the index, middle, and little fingers 3. Rest the back of the hands on thighs or knees 4. Sense the energetic connection where the fingers meet

Budhi Mudra: Good for all the liquid systems of the body; purifies the kidneys and adrenals; Facilitates digestion.

1. On each hand, bring the tips of the thumbs and ring fingers together 2. Extend the index, middle, and little fingers 3. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs 4. Sense the energetic connection between the fingers

Varuna Mudra: Helps balance water levels in the body; helps kidney and urinary problems; helps water retention and bloating and dryness in the joints. Be careful if you have low blood pressure.

1. Press the little finger of the right hand against the ball of the right thumb 2. Fold the thumb over the little finger 3. Place the left hand behind the right hand 4. Use the left thumb to further secure the right thumb and little finger.

Paschima: Directs breath and energy into the spine, back of neck and head; good for back pain, spinal and disk issues. Use caution for headache or head injury.

1. Right hand - Place thumb, middle, and little fingers together with index and ring fingers extended (rudra mudra)

2. Left hand – Place the thumb on top of the nail of the index finger while extending the other fingers.

Avahana Mudra: A gesture of receiving universal energies, expands breathing capacity and fills the body with prana; helpful for those who have difficulty in receiving and those with breathing problems.

1. In front of the solar plexus, place the palms up with the edges of the little fingers together

2. Press the thumbs gently into the base of the ring fingers. 3. Other fingers remain together.

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Pushpaputa: Creates compassion, generosity, openness, and openhandedness; reduces fear of giving.

1. Cup the hands and bring the sides of the little fingertips and ring fingertips together.

2. Form the hands into a loose bowl as if lovingly hold a gift of flowers. Bhairava: Invokes the spirit of effortless surrender and bliss, the essence of meditation; induces profound calm and peace; especially helpful for fear, anxiety, immune imbalance, heart disease.

1. Rest the cupped left hand onto your lap 2. Rest the cupped right hand into the left 3. Allow the shoulders to relax downward and allow the weight of your entire being

to rest down into the earth Rudra Mudra: For centering, self-confidence, and solar plexus activation; relieves depression and increases memory

1. With each hand, touch the thumbs to the index and ringer fingers 2. Extend the middle and little fingers 3. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs or knees

Kubera: Increases metabolism and energy; instills confidence, determination, and sense of security; helps in achieving goals; helps depression, lethargy, lack of enthusiasm, and will power; begin slowly if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.

1. In each hand, curl the ring and little fingers into palms 2. Touch the middle and index fingers to thumbs 3. Rest the back of the hands on the thighs or knees

Affirmations My temperament and tempo are attuned to the Universal flow. I surrender my anxiety and my sense of urgency. I allow the Universe to guide me in the pacing of my life. I open my heart to Universal timing. I release my deadlines, agendas, and stridency to the gentle yet often swift pacing of the Universe. As I open my eyes to Universal unfolding, my heart attains peace. As I relax into Universal timing, my heart contains comfort. As I allow the Universe to set the tone and schedule of my days, I find myself in the right time and place, open and available to Life’s opportunities. I embrace the moment. I am fluid and spontaneous. I react and respond openly and easily to the changing face of life. I am focused yet lighthearted. I bring joy and exuberance to my activities. I draw my energy from Life itself. I am an outlet for the energy of the Universe to promote change, growth, and expansion. As I expand and extend my goals and desires, my energies and stamina expand to encompass them. I fulfill my new potential, knowing I am sourced in universal power. I respond to life with security, spontaneity, and delight. I am more than enough.

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My soul has patience and containment. I am patient. I am able to live with ambiguity. I am able to allow situations to evolve and alter. I am able to await outcomes. I tolerate quiet periods of non-knowing, while solutions emerge and present themselves. I do not force solutions. I expect the successful working out of difficulties and differences. My heart is wise. It knows when to act and when nonaction is the action to take. I trust my patient heart. I trust the power of my containment.

Asana

Bladder Asana Kidney Asana Balancing Half Moon (YTT 77) Bound Angle (YTT 34) Revolved Balancing Half Moon (YTT 77B) Frog (YTT 38) Standing Split (YTT 78C) Lotus (YTT 36) Hero 3 (YTT 78) Shoulder Stand (YTT 84) Split (YTT 41) Hand to Toe (YTT 82) Standing FW Bend (YTT73) Supine Hand to Toe (YTT 22) Legs in Doorway (TPM)

Assisted Asana Assisted Bladder Asana

Assisted Balancing Half Moon 1

• Ask the client to come into balancing half moon with the left leg pressing into the wall and the right leg hip directly over the right ankle.

• Support the client’s left thigh just above the knee.

• Place your palm on the client’s palm.

• Ask her to press into your palm as you resist for five breaths.

• After five breaths ask her to rotate her left ribs back.

• Repeat the resistance twice more, each time asking the client to deepen her rotation.

• Move to Assisted Revolved Balancing Half Moon before changing sides.

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Assisted Revolved Balancing Half Moon

• From Balancing Half Moon, ask the client to bring her left arm to the floor, revolve, and sweep her right arm upward.

• Continue to support her left thigh just above the knee.

• Place your palm on the client’s palm and ask her to press into you for five breaths.

• After five breaths ask her to rotate her left ribs forward and her right ribs back.

• Repeat the resistance twice more, each time asking the client to deepen her rotation.

• Release the pose and change sides.

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• Ask the client to come into balancing half moon with the left leg up.

• Support the client’s left leg above and below the knee.

• Ask the client to press down into your hands for five breaths.

• After five breaths, ask the client to lift her left leg higher.

• Repeat the resistance for five breaths.

Assisted Standing Leg Stretch

• Ask your client to stand against the wall, extending her right leg up.

• Ask her to roll her right leg externally to keep her hips aligned.

• Kneeling, support the client’s extended leg under her ankle. If the client is flexible enough, you can also place her ankle on your shoulder.

• Ask the client to engage mulabandha and to press her right leg down into you as you resist.

• Hold the resistance for five breaths.

• At the end of five breaths, ask the client to lift her right leg higher, keeping her hips aligned.

• Repeat the resistance twice more.

Assisted Wall Split

• Ask the client to do the splits up the wall with the left leg up.

• Make sure the underside of the left toes are on the wall and the hips are aligned.

• Lunging into the client, place your hands on the top of her buttocks.

• As you press into the client, ask her to resist you for five breaths.

• At the end of five breaths, ask her to deepen the stretch into the wall.

• Repeat the resistance twice more before changing sides.

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Assisted Standing Split

• From down dog, ask your client to lift her right leg up.

• Make sure she keeps her hips level.

• Support the client by placing one hand on the client’s right hip and the other under the right ankle.

• Ask the client to press her right leg into your hand as your resist.

• After five breaths, ask the client to lift her right leg higher, keeping her hips level.

• Repeat the resistance twice more. Assisted Supine Hand to Toe

• Ask your client to lie on the ground, extending her right leg up.

• Lunge toward the client, placing your right hand on her left hip to ground it and placing your client’s left leg against your shoulder.

• Ask the client to press her right leg into you as you resist for five breaths.

• Make sure the client’s hips stay level by asking her to rotate her right leg externally.

• After five breaths ask the client to straighten her right leg more and to move the right leg closer to her head.

• Repeat the resistance twice more.

Assisted Kidney Asana

Assisted Supine Bound Angle

• Ask the client to move into supine bound angle, engaging mulabandha.

• Press onto the client’s thighs, asking her to resist you for five breaths.

• At the end of five breaths, ask her to deepen the pose.

• Repeat the resistance for five breaths.

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References

Thank you to Sally Watson and Bethany Peabody for graciously modeling.

Cameron, Julia. Heart Steps: Prayers and Declarations for a Creative Life. New York: Penguin

Putnam Inc.

Gach, Michael Reed. (1984). The Organ Meridians Flash Cards. Acupressure Institute:

Berkeley, CA.

Judith, Anodea. (1996). Eastern Body Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a

Path to the Self. Celestial Self: Berkeley, CA.

LePage, Joseph. (2005). Yoga Teacher’s Toolbox. Integrative Yoga Therapy.

www.iytyogatherapy.com.

LePage, Joseph. (2003). Integrative Yoga Therapy Professional Yoga Therapist Manual. Orlanski, Daniel. (2008). Meridian Yoga: Opening the Energetic Pathways. Kripalu Center for

Yoga and Healing: Stockbridge, MA.