Notes from Jamey Johnston’s Class

Jamey introduced us to Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Yin/Yang (pronounced ‘Yong’) symbol showing balance in all things. Yin and Yang work together (not fight) to balance one another. It is not good and/or evil, they feed of each other. They can’t exist without each other and cycle throughout the day. When we are out of balance, our health is affected. Yin is typically ascribed to women/female energy, as we carry the fetus (material) and have menses. When women enter menopause, the Yin is decreased and the “Fire” of Yang is not balanced, thus come the hot flashes, night sweats, and moodiness. Yin is dark/cool; Yang is light/fire. Yang is associated with male energy. These reverse as we get older, but still need to be balanced.

Qi or Chi is defined as a vital substance having multiple functions for sustaining life. . . from the AIR we breathe to the FOOD we eat. Chi has meridians or currents through the body and affects overall metabolic functions. (Jamey doesn’t use the term “energy” when describing Chi). Chi permeates the whole body with its 6 functions:

1. Transforming– i.e. Kidneys filter blood and transform the wastes into urine.

2. Transporting– Chi is the driving force to get things where they need to go. i.e.asthma is inflammation in the lungs which is not good for transporting Oxygen around body.

3. Holding– i.e. Large Intestine, Bladder. Herniated disc is a dysfunction of the disc/Chi holding spine together.

4. Raising– Women bear young/babies. When uterus prolapses- Chi didn’t do what it was supposed to do.

5. Protecting– Dysfunction of a type of Chi that keeps a person sick.

6. Warming– Chi keeps the body warm. Chi is like the El Nino wind current.

TCM treats the body as a whole- Mind-Body-Spirit. Chi holds the entire body’s systems together with acupuncturists using Needles, Medicine, Herbs, Lifestyle, and Food to keep them in balance. Inserting is fairly painless, as attested by our volunteers who worked with Jamey to reduce pain or symptoms.