zen stretch for fire

SUMMER and the FIRE ELEMENT
Yoga or MAKKO HO

A lot of Fire yoga involves quite hard, sweaty work aimed at strengthening the big muscles along which run the Small Intestine and Triple Heater meridians. Not this MAKKO HO zen stretch for the Heart Protector and Triple Heater, Fire meridians #3 & #4

NOTE: Unusually, the Fire Element has four meridians. They are referred to in pairs as FIRE I (Heart & Small Intestine) and FIRE II (Heart Protector & Triple Heater).

The emphasis in the Makko Ho is not so much on the physical stretch but on opening up, tonifying the meridian pair and moving the KI. So – in following the instructions below – focus on the breathing (avoiding any forcing) and be aware of the changes – physical, mental &/or emotional – going on within you during each stretch.

Positioning

Sit with the legs crossed (or, if possible, in lotus or ½ half-lotus).
Cross the arms so that the opposite hand to the leg is on top (i.e. If the right leg is to the top, the left hand is to the top) and hold on to either the upper arm (as shown) or just above the knees with the fingers reaching around just to the outside of the thigh.
On a long exhalation, keeping your back straight & your neck long, bend forward from the pelvis.

Breathing

Hold your position as you inhale then relax a little further forward as you exhale
Repeat this over three times (x3).
Then inhale slowly back to upright.

Reflection & Repetition

Consider how you felt about the exercise as you were doing it and then repeat over for three breaths. If you felt good in the exercise, take more time as you repeat and really relax into it. If you felt not so good, work more quickly – still without straining – through the repetition and allow the stuck KI to release and flow.

VIDEO for the FIRE ELEMENT (II) / SUMMER MAKKO HO
is now available
on MY INSTAGRAM, posted June 9, 2020

The full Makko Ho Zen Energy Sequence

Ideally, the full MAKKO HO sequence should be performed to mirror the 24 hour cycle of the TCM clock:

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