If ever there was a time to share tools to help people navigate the overwhelming mix of political discord, war, potential shortages, the upcoming election, and the challenges of our personal lives, that time is now. These external pressures can stir deep emotions, often leaving us in a state of high alert. Just as nature shows us that cycles & seasons must exist, there are ways to anchor ourselves through these storms—one of which is the ancient practice of acupressure and being present.
Acupressure works by stimulating specific points on the body, aligning our internal energy (qi) and allowing it to flow more freely. Just like a leaf falls freely from a branch, acupressure can help us let go of anxiety and stress as it is stored in the body. It is a readily available technique that can be used at anytime, anywhere.
Here is a video explaining how to use a three point protocol we call – Buddha’s Triangle – to elicit peace & calm. Each point can be used alone or in combination. This combo can help ease the tension related to these intense life circumstances. Pressing each for a few moments helps to calm the racing heart, offer relief from the emotional burden that comes with prolonged anxiety and encourage the rhythm of the lungs to regulate . Be present to what you are doing & feeling.
1. Heart’ s Gate- Heart 7 (Shenmen)
Location: on the wrist crease, on the inner side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon (the main tendon down from the pinky).
Actions & Indications: It is one of the most powerful points for calming the mind and soothing emotional distress, making it particularly useful for treating anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
2. Great Abyss – Lung 9 (Taiyuan)
Location: the wrist crease, in the depression between the radial artery and the tendon of the abductor pollicis longus.
Actions & Indications: This point is the Yuan (source) point of the Lung meridian and has a strong connection to the body’s overall qi; helping one to regulate themselves through the breath.
3. Inner Frontier Gate – Pericardium 6 (Neiguan)
Location: about three finger widths from the wrist on the inner arm, between the two main tendons.
Actions & Indications: Helps with emotional stress and anxiety. Can be thought of as a gate that opens to release the flood of emotions, allowing you to step back from the edge.
Take time to Reflect & Be Present
As you practice Acupressure, take time to reflect on what’s happening within. Are you feeling tense from the stress of the world around you? Acupressure offers a gentle nudge, encouraging you to look inward, take a deep breath, and release the weight you’ve been carrying.
Remember, the goal isn’t to push through recklessly, but to find flexibility in the journey.
