Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) represent a major world public health problem. Worldwide estimations show that 844 million people have CLDs, with a mortality rate of 2 million deaths per year which is even higher than diabetes. Many afflicted with liver disease are not even aware of it, because frequently it is a ‘silent illness’ that eludes detection by conventional western medicine, since measurable symptoms manifest clearly only when the disease has already progressed to its later stages when effective treatment becomes very difficult, sometimes even impossible. However, TCM is considerably more efficient at detecting liver issues at a much earlier stage because it doesn’t just treat the liver as a single organ.

Taichi and Qigong for Liver and Gallblader Foundation

In TCM, besides the organ itself, the liver is also associated with the gallbladder. It influences the health of the joints and tendons; therefore, you could get 100% more benefits from your tendon training exercise, like Yi Jin Jing, when your liver is strong and healthy. Liver manifests and shows its health on the nails, opens into the eyes and control tears. It is also believed that the yang part of our soul, Hun 魂, resides in the liver. In sleep, Hun wanders the realm of dreams, and when we awaken, it provides us with the ability to generate concepts and ideas which then allows us to engage in proper planning and envisioning. When the Hun is weak, it hinders one’s spiritual progress.

The liver stores blood and regulates its volume in order to nourish and maintain the healthy physiological functioning of various parts of the body by ensuring that the qi, and blood, flow smoothly. When the liver fails to make the qi flow smoothly and to maintain healthy blood circulation, many health issues may arise.

Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Dry eyes, blurred vision, rib pain, brittle & pale nails, muscle spasms or tremors, numbness, joint issues, weak & stiff tendons, bitter taste, dry skin, poor memory, dizziness, migraine and irrational decisions.
• Specific to females: Infertility, PMS, menstrual pain, irregular menstruation in terms of timing and blood volume, and lumps in the breast.

The emotions associated with the liver are irritability and anger, it is particularly obvious when the liver is overactive. On the other hand, when the liver is weak, it is more common for the person to experience mood swings, depression, social withdrawal & reduced motivation.

Liver and gall bladder are most active from 11pm to 3am, therefore when there are health issues with these organs, one may well experience insomnia and poor sleep quality.

Many who practice martial arts and/or inner alchemy are prone to experiencing symptoms of an overactive liver. This is because in inner alchemy (or similar practices), we usually start by accumulating energy in the lower Dan Tian (or the lower chakras). However, after storing a certain amount of qi in this area, it is then essential that one shift this energy upward to the higher chakras for transformation. If for some reason a person is unable to do this, or perhaps has no desire to do so (often because the intention is to retain the energy in the lower Dan Tian to enhance physical prowess), then the excess energy in this area may well cause the liver to become overactive.

The positive qualities of liver and gall bladder energy are decisiveness and bravery, which is why in one of the inner alchemy practices, Huang Ting Jing, one should visualize the liver as being a powerful general. And since strong tendons and courage are necessary for someone to excel in the martial arts, an abundance of liver and gall bladder energy are also needed in order to achieve excellence in these skills, but unfortunately, this also tends to result in an overactive liver.

When the liver is overactive, one may experience temporal headaches, red eyes & face, nosebleed, dark urine, outbursts of anger, … etc. Furthermore, liver and gall bladder belong to the Wood element. When the Wood element becomes too strong, it can reduce the activity of the Earth element, causing imbalances in the associated organs, the stomach and spleen. This can create nausea, belching, hiccups, acid reflux, poor appetite, diarrhea, indigestion, distending pain in the abdomen, … etc.

Hopefully, you don’t have any of the above symptoms. However, I believe that most people over the age of 50 have at least one of them. This is because another function of the liver is detoxification, and unfortunately, our water, air and food are all polluted. Indeed, nano and micro plastics can be found in almost all the water we drink, the air we breathe, and even in the salt we consume. Therefore, assuming you live in this polluted world long enough, you will inevitably accumulate a significant amount of toxins in your body which the liver will have to clean up.

Although each of us can make only a very small contribution toward making this world a cleaner place, we can make a major contribution toward maintaining our liver in a strong, healthy condition, and the qigong for liver techniques and advice that this course provides will certainly assist you in achieving this objective. Even if you are young and currently have no symptoms of liver malfunction, it is still a good idea to adopt some level of qigong for liver, liver meridian stretching practice during the spring season when the liver is most active, in order to ensure that your blood and liver stay clean. TCM prioritizes prevention, and clearly, the best pre-emptive tactic for achieving this goal, is to eliminate the root of illness long before any symptoms potentially can surface.

In this taichi and giqong for liver and gallblader course, I describe in detail various practices which include liver meridian stretching, and provide advice and recipes, all of which are focused on enhancing liver and gall bladder health and function. In addition, I offer practical approaches for dealing with irritability, anger and depression, which is especially relevant today when life is becoming increasingly complex and stressful on all levels of our existence.

Furthermore, I share my own personal story of how I dealt with my own suppressed anger, which had compromised my physical health and psychological wellbeing. By using the advice and techniques outlined in this course, I eventually experienced a personal transformation which opened my awareness to previously unforeseen opportunities that changed the course of my life in many highly benevolent ways.

The Tai Chi and Qigong for Liver & Gallbladder Program includes: (download version only)

• Instruction Manual with detailed exercise explanations including liver meridian stretching
• Video and audio demonstrations of different practices

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