As discussed in Part 1 of The Eight Extraordinary Qi Vessels, most of the vessels branch out from the twelve primary channels and share the function of circulating Qi throughout the body. The following are the different types of vessels and their specific functions.
1. The Governing Vessel
The Governing Vessel is the confluence of all the Yang channels, over which it is said to “govern.” Because it controls all the Yang channels, it is called the “Sea of Yang Meridians.” This is apparent from its pathway because it flows on the mid line of the back, a Yang area, and in the center of all Yang channels (except the Stomach Channel which flows in the front.) The Governing Vessel governs all the Yang channels, which means that it can be used to increase the Yang energy of the body.
Since the Governing Vessel is the “Sea of Yang Meridians” and it controls or governs the back, the area richest in Guardian Qi (Wei Qi), it is also responsible for the circulation of the body’s Guardian Qi to guard against external evil intruders. The circulation of Guardian Qi starts from Fengfu, and moves down the Governing Vessel to Huiyin. It is said that it takes 21 days for the Guardian Qi to flow from Fengfu to Huiyin, and nine days from Huiyin to the throat, making it a monthly cycle.
According to Chinese medical science, Guardian Qi is Yang Qi and therefore represents the “Fire” of the body. Its quick and ubiquitous circulation keeps the fire going in the body and controls the loss of body heat. Guardian Qi is also inextricably linked with the fluids that flow outside the channels, in the skin and flesh. Consequently, through the breathing (under control of the Lungs), Guardian Qi is responsible for the opening and the closing of the pores, and also controls the sweat.
The Governing Vessel is also responsible for nourishing the five ancestral organs, which include the brain and spinal cord. This is one of the ways in which the Kidneys “control” the brain, as is said in Chinese medicine.
Because of their importance to health, the Governing Vessel and the Conception Vessel are considered the two most important Qi channels to be trained in Qigong, especially in Nei Dan. Training related to these two vessels includes:
- How to fill them with Qi so that you have enough to regulate the twelve channels.
- How to open up stagnant areas in these two vessels so that the Qi flows smoothly and strongly.
- How to effectively direct the Qi to nourish the brain and raise up the Shen.
- How to effectively govern the Qi in the twelve channels, and nourish the organs.
- How to use your raised Shen to lead the Guardian Qi to the skin and strengthen the Guardian Qi shield covering your body.
In Nei Dan Qigong training, when you have filled up the Qi in these two vessels and can effectively circulate the Qi in them, you have achieved the “Small Circulation.” In order to do this, you must know how to convert the Essence stored in the Kidneys into Qi, circulate this Qi in the Governing and Conception Vessels, and finally lead this Qi to the head to nourish the brain and Shen (spirit).
2. The Conception Vessel (Ren Mail)
“Ren” in Chinese means “direction, responsibility.” Ren Mai, the “Conception Vessel,” has a major role in Qi circulation, directing and being responsible for all of the Yin channels (plus the Stomach Channel). The Conception Vessel is connected to the Thrusting and Yin Linking Vessels, and is able to increase the Yin energy of the body.
This vessel nourishes the uterus (one of the five ancestral organs) and the whole genital system. It is said in the Nei Jing that the Conception and Thrusting Vessels contain both blood and Essence (Jing), and both flow up to the face and around the mouth. They contain more blood than Essence in men, and thus promote the growth of the beard and body hair. Because women lose blood with their menstruation, they contain proportionately less blood and hence, no beard or body hair.
It was described in the Su Wen that both the Conception and Thrusting Vessels control the life cycles every seven years for women and every eight years for men. It is the changes taking place in these vessels at those intervals that promote the major alterations in our lives.
In addition, the Conception Vessel also controls the distribution and “dispersion” of Guardian Qi all over the abdomen and thorax via numerous small Qi branches (Luo). This vessel also plays an important role in the distribution of body fluids in the abdomen.
In Qigong society, this vessel and the Governing Vessel are considered the most important among the Qi channels and vessels, and must be trained first. It is believed that there is usually no significant Qi stagnation in the Conception Vessel. However, it is important to increase the amount of Qi you are able to store, which also increases your ability to regulate the Yin channels.
3. The Thrusting Vessel (Chong Mai)
One of the major purposes of the Thrusting Vessel is to connect, to communicate, and to mutually support the Conception Vessel. Because of this mutual Qi support, both can effectively regulate the Qi in the Kidney Channel. The Kidneys are the residence of Original Qi and are considered one of the most vital Yin organs. The Thrusting Vessel is considered one of the most important and decisive vessels in successful Qigong training, especially in Marrow/Brain Washing. There are many reasons for this. The first reason is that this vessel intersects two cavities on the Conception Vessel: Huiyin and Yinjiao. Huiyin means “meeting with Yin” and is the cavity where the Yang and Yin Qi is transferred. Yinjiao means “Yin junction” and is the cavity where the Original Qi (Water Qi, or Yin Qi) interfaces with the Fire Qi created from food and air. The Thrusting Vessel also connects with eleven cavities on the Kidney Channel. The Kidney is considered the residence of Original Essence (Yuan Jing), which is converted into Original Qi (Yuan Qi).
The second reason for the importance of the Thrusting Vessel in Qigong training is that this vessel is connected directly to the spinal cord and reaches up to the brain. The major goal of Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong is to lead the Qi into the spinal cord and then further on to the head, nourishing the brain and spirit (Shen).
And finally, the third reason is found in actual Qigong practice. There are three common training paths: Fire, Wind, and Water. In Fire path Qigong, the emphasis is on the Fire or Yang Qi circulating in the Governing Vessel and therefore strengthening the muscles and organs. The Fire path is the main Qi training in Muscle/Tendon Changing (Yi Jin Jing) Qigong. However, the Fire path can also cause the body to become too Yang, and therefore speed up the process of degeneration.
In order to adjust the Fire to a proper level, Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong is also trained. This uses the Water Path, in which Qi separates from the route of the Fire Path at the Huiyin cavity, enters the spinal cord, and finally reaches up to the head. The Water Path teaches how to use Original Qi to cool down the body, and then to use this Qi to nourish the brain and train the spirit. Learning to adjust the Fire and Water Qi circulation in the body is called Kan-Li, which means Water-Fire. You can see from this that the Thrusting Vessel plays a very important role in Qigong training.
4. The Girdle Vessel (Dai Mai)
The major purpose of the Girdle Vessel is to regulate the Qi of the Gall Bladder. It is also responsible for the Qi’s horizontal balance. If you have lost this balance, you will have lost your center and balance both mentally and physically. From the point of view of Qigong, the Girdle Vessel is also responsible for the strength of the waist area. When Qi is full and circulating smoothly, back pain will be avoided. In addition, because the Kidneys are located nearby, this vessel is also responsible for Qi circulation around the Kidneys, maintaining the Kidneys’ health.
Most important of all for the Girdle Vessel is the fact that the Lower Dan Tian is located in its area. In order to lead Original Qi from the Kidneys to the Lower Dan Tian, the waist area must be healthy and relaxed. This means that the Qi flow in the waist area must be smooth. The training of the Girdle Vessel is discussed in the book: The Essence of Shaolin White Crane, available from YMAA Publication Center.
5. The Yang Heel Vessel (Yangchiao Mai)
While the preceding four vessels (Governing, Conception, Thrusting, and Girdle) are located in the trunk, this and the next three are located in the trunk and legs. (In addition, each of these four vessels is paired.) For millions of years, man has been walking on his legs, which do much more strenuous work than the arms. I believe that because of this, as evolution proceeded, the legs gradually developed these vessels for Qi storage and supply. If this is true, it may be that as time goes on and man uses his legs less and less, in a few million years these vessels will gradually disappear.
You can see from the way that the Yang Heel Vessel intersects with other Qi channels that it regulates the Yang channels, such as the Urinary Bladder, the Gall Bladder, the Small Intestine, and the Large Intestine. The Yang Heel Vessel is also connected with the Governing Vessel. The Qi filling this vessel is supplied mainly through exercising the legs, which converts the food Essence or fat stored in the legs. This Qi is then led upward to nourish the Yang channels. It is believed in Qigong that, since this vessel is also connected with your brain, certain leg exercises can be used to cure headaches. Since excess Qi in the head causes a headache, exercising the legs will draw this Qi downward to the leg muscles and relieve the pressure in the head.
Most of the training that relates to this vessel is Wai Dan. Wai Dan Qigong is considered Yang, and specializes in training the Yang channels, while Nei Dan Qigong is considered relatively Yin and emphasizes the Yin channel more.
6. The Yin Heel Vessel (Yinchiao Mai)
The Yin Heel Vessel is connected with two cavities of the Kidney Channel. Therefore, one of the major sources of Qi for this vessel is the conversion of the Kidney Essence into Qi. It is believed in Qigong society that the other major Qi source is the Essence of the external Kidneys (testicles). In Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong, one of the training processes is to stimulate the testicles in order to increase the hormone production and increase the conversion of the Essence into Qi. At the same time, you would learn how to lead the Qi in this vessel up to the head to nourish the brain and spirit (Shen). With this nourishment, you would be able to reach Buddha hood or enlightenment. From a health and longevity point of view, the raised spirit will be able to efficiently direct the Qi of the entire body and maintain your health.
7. The Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai)
The Yang Linking Vessel regulates the Qi mainly in the Yang channels: the Urinary Bladder, Gall Bladder, Triple Burner, Small Intestine, and Stomach Channels. It is also connected with the Governing Vessel at Yamen and Fengfu. This vessel and the Yang Heel Vessel have not been emphasized much in Qigong, except in Iron Shirt training where these two and the Governing Vessel are trained.
8. The Yin Linking Vessel (Yinwei Mai)
The Yin Linking Vessel has connections with the Kidney, Spleen, and Liver Yin channels. The Yin Linking Vessel also communicates with the Conception Vessel at two cavities. This vessel is not trained much in Qigong.