Meridians Used in Receiving and Issuing Energy

 Meridians Used in Receiving and Issuing Energy

In Tai Chi Push Hands, meridian theory plays a crucial role in both receiving and issuing energy. The traditional Chinese perspective involves directing energy through specific meridians to either absorb force into the ground or release force outward efficiently. Some of these concepts can be analyzed alongside Western fascia theories, which describe connective tissue networks that transmit force through the body.

Meridians Used in Receiving and Issuing Energy

Receiving Energy (導引, Dao Yin – Leading Energy)

Kidney Meridian (足少陰腎經): This meridian is linked to the lower back, legs, and the soles of the feet (Yongquan, KI1). Many Tai Chi practitioners emphasize sinking force through this meridian to stabilize and connect with the ground.

Bladder Meridian (足太陽膀胱經): Running along the back, this meridian helps distribute force downward through the spine and into the legs.

Spleen Meridian (足太陰脾經): Important for stability and root, as it governs the muscles and controls the ability to absorb force into the ground.

Issuing Energy (發勁, Fa Jing – Emitting Force)

Liver Meridian (足厥陰肝經): This meridian governs internal movement and is related to tendon flexibility, making it crucial for issuing energy smoothly.

Pericardium Meridian (手厥陰心包經): Connected to the arms and hands, it aids in directing force outward.

Triple Burner Meridian (手少陽三焦經): Involved in energy distribution, particularly in the torso and arms, helping force reach the extremities.

Comparison with Western Fascia Theory

Modern fascia research describes how connective tissues form a tensegrity (tensionintegrity) system in the body, allowing force to be transmitted efficiently. Several key fascial lines align with the meridianbased approach in Tai Chi:

Superficial Back Line (SBL) ↔ Bladder Meridian

This fascial line runs from the feet to the head, similar to the Bladder Meridian, helping in absorbing force from the ground.

Deep Front Line (DFL) ↔ Kidney & Spleen Meridians

This line supports postural stability and internal energy redirection, akin to the Kidney and Spleen meridians.

Spiral Line (SL) ↔ Liver Meridian

The Spiral Line helps with rotational movements, which matches the Liver Meridian’s role in issuing force through twisting motions.

Arm Lines ↔ Pericardium & Triple Burner Meridians

Fascia in the arms and chest assist in force transmission, paralleling these meridians’ functions in Push Hands.

When receiving energy in Push Hands, the hands and arms serve as the initial contact points, and specific meridians play a crucial role in channeling force efficiently. Here’s how the meridians in the hands contribute to receiving and issuing energy:

 

 

Meridians in the Hands for Receiving and Issuing Energy

 

Receiving Energy (導引 – Leading Energy into the Ground)

 

When absorbing an opponent’s force, the goal is to lead it through the arms, down the spine, and into the ground without resistance. The following meridians assist in this process:

Lung Meridian (手太陰肺經, Shǒu Tài Yīn Fèi Jīng)

Runs from the chest, through the inside of the arm, to the thumb (LU11).

Governs the ability to "breathe" and soften force on contact, allowing absorption rather than resistance.

Works closely with the Large Intestine Meridian to redirect force.

Large Intestine Meridian (手陽明大腸經, Shǒu Yáng Míng Dà Cháng Jīng)

Runs from the index finger (LI1) up the lateral arm to the face.

Helps in structural alignment when receiving force, guiding it along the arm without collapsing.

Plays a key role in redirecting force outward or downward toward the ground.

Pericardium Meridian (手厥陰心包經, Shǒu Jué Yīn Xīn Bāo Jīng)

Runs through the center of the palm (PC8) and along the forearm. 

Aids in neutralizing incoming force, softening impact, and preventing force from penetrating the body.

Often associated with the quality of "absorbing" and dispersing energy through relaxed, yielding motion.

Issuing Energy (發勁 – Emitting Force Efficiently)

When issuing force, the energy needs to be directed smoothly from the body through the hands. These meridians help project force outward:

Heart Meridian (手少陰心經, Shǒu Shào Yīn Xīn Jīng)

Travels from the chest, along the inner arm, to the little finger (HT9).

Supports force transmission from the heart center to the hands, making it critical for delivering power with intention.

Works in tandem with the Small Intestine Meridian for extending force.

Small Intestine Meridian (手太陽小腸經, Shǒu Tài Yáng Xiǎo Cháng Jīng)

Runs from the pinky finger (SI1), up the lateral arm, to the shoulder.

 

Helps extend energy outward and maintain structure in the arms when issuing force.

 

Essential in delivering explosive power while maintaining connection to the ground.

Triple Burner (San Jiao) Meridian (手少陽三焦經, Shǒu Shǎo Yáng Sān Jiāo Jīng) 

Runs from the ring finger (SJ1), up the back of the arm, and connects to the head. 

Assists in wholebody integration, particularly in linking the torso and arms for issuing force. 

Plays a role in coordinating force flow between different sections of the body.

 

How These Meridians Work in Push Hands

 

Receiving

The Large Intestine and Lung Meridians work together to absorb and guide force.

The Pericardium Meridian helps soften impact and redirect energy smoothly. 

The Kidney and Bladder Meridians (in the legs and torso) complete the downward transmission of force into the ground.

Issuing

The Heart and Small Intestine Meridians drive internal energy outward.

The Triple Burner Meridian ensures wholebody coordination in force emission.

The Liver Meridian helps spiral and extend energy effectively.

Comparison with Western Fascia Theory

From a fascia perspective:

The Superficial Front Arm Line (SFAL) aligns with the Lung and Pericardium Meridians, helping with softening and absorbing force.

The Superficial Back Arm Line (SBAL) corresponds with the Small Intestine and Triple Burner Meridians, which aid in issuing force outward.

The Deep Front Arm Line (DFAL) connects to the Heart Meridian, allowing controlled and focused energy projection. 

Conclusion

The meridians in the arms and hands are crucial for both receiving and issuing force in Push Hands. They function as conduits to absorb, neutralize, and transmit energy efficiently. These meridian pathways align well with Western fascia theories, reinforcing the idea that force travels along structured, interconnected lines in the body.

 

Conclusion

Tai Chi’s meridianbased energy flow aligns with modern fascia theory in many ways. Both systems describe pathways for force absorption and transmission, emphasizing the importance of interconnected structures in movement. While the language and frameworks differ, they both recognize the body's ability to receive, store, and emit force efficiently.

In Tai Chi push hands, the meridians and theories involved in receiving and issuing energy, along with their potential alignment with Western fascia theories, can be summarized as follows:

 

Meridians in Push Hands

Receiving Energy (Grounding):

Yin Meridians of the Legs: 

Kidney Meridian (KI): Associated with the "root" and grounding in TCM. It runs along the inner leg, linked to stability and connection to the earth.

Spleen Meridian (SP) and Liver Meridian (LR): These Yin meridians aid in sinking energy and maintaining structural integrity during absorption of force.

Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) and Governing Vessel (Du Mai): These central meridians help stabilize the core and align the body’s axis for efficient energy transfer to the ground.

 

Issuing Energy (Projecting Force):

Yang Meridians of the Legs and Arms:

Stomach Meridian (ST): Runs along the front of the leg and torso, associated with explosive power.

Bladder Meridian (BL): Traverses the back, aiding in posture and fullbody integration.

Triple Burner (San Jiao) and Large Intestine Meridians (LI): Involved in coordinating upperbody force and directional release from the hands.

 

Theoretical Basis in TCM

Qi Flow: Energy (Qi) is directed through specific meridians to optimize grounding or projection. This relies on relaxation, alignment, and intent (Yi), with the Dantian (lower abdomen) acting as the body’s energetic hub.

YinYang Dynamics: Receiving (Yin) emphasizes softness and absorption, while issuing (Yang) focuses on focused, expansive force.

 

Comparison to Fascia Theories

Overlap with Myofascial Lines: 

The Kidney meridian aligns roughly with the deep front line (fascial chain connecting inner legs to spine).

The Stomach and Bladder meridians correlate with the superficial front and back lines, which govern posture and force transmission.

Anatomical vs. Energetic: 

Fascia (Western view): Physical connective tissue networks that transmit mechanical tension.

Meridians (TCM): Energetic pathways for Qi, though some studies suggest they coincide with fascial planes (e.g., acupuncture points often lie at fascial intersections).

Functional Similarities: Both systems emphasize interconnected pathways for efficient force distribution, though TCM adds a metaphysical layer (Qi) absent in Western anatomy.

 

Conclusion

While TCM meridians and fascial theories describe similar pathways for force/energy transmission, they originate from distinct paradigms—one energetic (Qi) and one anatomical (biomechanics). Practitioners of push hands may intuitively engage fascial networks through meridianfocused techniques, blending structural efficiency with TCM’s energetic principles. The alignment is not exact but highlights convergent insights into human movement and resilience.

 vergent insights into human movement and resilience.