What is the Belt Meridian?

The Belt Meridian (formally known as Dai Mai) is one of the eight ancestral meridians (also called “Extraordinary Vessels”). Ancestral meridians are energetic meridians that control our genetic ancestry. In other words, they influence diseases in the body which are genetically based and regulate the twelve main meridians in the body. Unfortunately, these ancestral meridians or vessels are highly susceptible to psycho-emotional stress and trauma, especially the Belt Meridian.

The Belt Meridian (sometimes known as the Girdle Vessel) is the only meridian in the body that is horizontal instead of vertical. It starts at the level of the third lumbar vertebrae, then circles around the front of the body dipping between the pubic bone and the navel. Its primary function is “bundling the meridians on the horizontal plane & keeping them functioning in good order”. Simply put, the Belt Meridian keeps your energetic flow moving in a harmonious, effective manner.

The Belt Meridian divides the body into two halves. It is believed to start at the liver meridian on the lateral ribs (some say at the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebrae) and connects with a side branch of the kidney meridian. The Belt Meridian connects “both the left and right yin & yang channels, plus the upper and lower yin & yang channels” and is both a yin and a yang meridian.

You may wonder why this is! It’s because when it wraps around the front of the waist, it is yin. When it wraps around the back, it is yang. This explains why it must be open in order to allow and maintain a smooth energy flow and balance between the upper and lower meridians (or channels) of the body.

Dealing with stress or trauma, can cause the Belt Meridian to constrict like a tight belt which then affects the underlying organs and the entire body. If the Belt Meridian is closed, blocked, clogged, stagnant, or too tight then energy cannot flow downwards. When the energy can’t flow properly, the result is dysfunction, pain, sluggishness, or a feeling of heaviness through the entire body. Improper or blocked energy flow can also cut off energy circulation to the legs. This causes cold legs and/or feet, lower back pain, joint stiffness, and tense outer leg muscles.

The Belt Meridian is closely related to the liver and gallbladder energy systems and helps regulate them. Treating the Belt Meridian can also relieve temporal headaches, migraines, anger, gallbladder pain, and chronic neck and shoulder tension. It can also be used to effectively treat abdominal and hip pain.

The good news is that the movements of Tai Chi and/or Qigong develop a supple waist which in turn opens the Belt Meridian. This allows the energy to flow smoothly between the upper and lower portions of the body and the right and left sides of the body. The result is an increase in health and wellbeing. When we suffer a traumatic event, the Belt Meridian will store the negative energetic emotion. We may find that when it is released or opened, certain emotions may be released which have been stored or suppressed for a long period of time.

Besides Tai Chi and Qigong, the Belt Meridian can be treated with acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese botanical medicines, and some other forms of exercise, in order to get Qi flowing smoothly again. Yet another reason for ensuring that your Tai Chi and/or Qigong practice is a priority in your life!

It’s easy to see why the Belt Meridian is one of the most important meridians in the body!

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