The Five Elements

BACKGROUND

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds that we have a vital energy (called "Qi") that circulates through twelve invisible energy lines within the body (“meridians”)
   

2. •Each of these meridians is associated with a different organ in the body
   

3. •An imbalance in the flow of Qi through a meridian is the underlying cause of disease
   

4. •In an acupuncture treatment (which is based on TCM), specific points along each meridian can be stimulated with a needle to help restore the flow of Qi and return the body to balance and health
   

5. In some forms of TCM, the Taoist model of the five elements is utilized to classify each of the major organs and their associated meridian pathways, according to the energetic nature and function each organ
   

6. The five elements and their associated organ/meridian networks are:
   

7. •Earth: Spleen & Stomach
   

8. •Metal: Lung & Large Intestine
   

9. •Water: Kidney & Bladder
   

10. •Wood: Liver & Gall Bladder
    

11. •Fire: Heart & Small Intestine
    

The 5 Elements & Zenyasa®

1. The five thematic sequences in Zenyasa® are named after the five elements
   

2. The choice of postures and exercises within each elemental theme has been inspired by the energetic nature of the element, as well as the location of the meridian pathways associated with that element
   

3. In general, the goal of each five element theme is to:
   

4. •encourage the free flow of Qi through the organs and meridian networks associated with the theme element, thus promoting health and well-being
   

5. •increase the strength, endurance and flexibility of the muscles that lie within the meridian pathways of the theme element
   

6. Organizing the postures within the five element model offers a “system” of practice that has many advantages:
   

7. •there is structural and thematic continuity within each class
   

8. •there is variety from one class to the next
   

9. •all of the major yoga postures are practiced consistently over the course of five classes
   

10. •every major muscle in the body is both strengthened and stretched, leading to musculo-skeletal balance
    

11. •the free flow of Qi is encouraged through all of the major meridians