Course Overview

Lesser Heat and Greater Heat are the hottest times of the year, leading to sultry, stifling days that bring lethargy and a lack of appetite. Interestingly, the three hot periods of the sanfutian are also used for treatment, for the summer cure of winter diseases through herbal plasters and/or moxa on such points as Du 14, Ren 17, Bl 13 and Bl 43. This increases respiratory resistance to bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia, using the hot summer temperatures to help the treatment go deep. The warm wind arrives, the crickets take refuge in the walls, the eagles fly high. Rotten grass engenders fireflies; the ground is soaked, the air warm and humid, heavy rain falls. A new time of abundance is established, with group cooperation. Watch for incursion, feel the withdrawal of the yang in shorter days despite the heat, feel the long-lasting exchange. The sixth lunar month includes the 6th day Heavenly Benefits Festival. The eighth branch wei pivots between summer fire and the metal of autumn. Small intestine points help to clear heat and increase the ye fluids, e.g., SI 1, SI 2, SI 5. SI 7 and SI 8 benefit the shen. SI 6 helps the elderly. Protecting from heat is essential for the heart. The matching meridian of the lungs also helps to cool and LU 5, LU 9 and LU 11 are gui ghost points that protect the heart. Lychees, pineapple, and grass jelly cool heat, as does fucha herbal tea. Greater Heat also brings dampness. The traditional qigong exercises activate thoracic vertebrae 4 and 3.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the specific energies of late summer to improve your treatments.
• Be able to be in tune with the energies of late summer and benefit from them in your health.
• Be able to practise the two traditional qi gong exercises for the two fortnightly periods.
• Be aware of the multiple aspects active at this time of year.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 15 minUnderstand the Lesser Heat and Greater Heat solar periods, the hottest time of the year, their benefits and dangers.

15 min - 45 minUnderstand the images of the six 5 day periods. The warm wind arriving, the crickets taking refuge in the walls, the eagles flying high, the fireflies appearing from the rotting grass, the soaked earth and hot, humid air, the heavy rain falling.

45 min - 1 hrsLearn the moxa and herbal plasters sanfutie used on specific days in the hottest periods of the year, using summer heat to treat winter diseases, increasing respiratory resistance to disease.

1 hrs - 1.25 hrsBe aware of the 6th month, the lotus month, that helps the lotus flower in this hottest of months. Remember the Double Sixth, the 6th day of the 6th month, the Heavenly Benefits Festival.

1.25 hrs - 1.5 hrsBe aware of the 6 associated hexagrams for these two solar periods and the aspects they reinforce: 50 The Cauldron, 55 Abundance, 59 Dispersing, 10 Treading, 33 Retreating, 32 Duration.

1.5 hrs - 1.75 hrsRemember the small intestine meridian associated with the 6th month and how to use its points to help cool heat and increase ye fluids eg SI 1, SI 2, SI 5. Also SI 7 and SI 8 to benefit the shen spirit and SI 6 to support the elderly.

1.75 hrs - 2 hrsRemember to protect the heart in this extreme heat time. Eat light foods, lychees, pineapple, watermelon to alleviate heat. Take an afternoon rest, avoid excessive sun, use the shade. Remember HT 3, HT 7 and HT 8.

2 hrs - 2.25 hrsMake use of the matching meridian of the hand tai yin lungs, both to cool eg with LU 2, LU 5, LU 10 and to protect the heart eg with gui points LU 5, LU 9 and LU 11.

2.25 hrs - 2.5 hrsNote the 8th branch wei at this time, the earth element as it is the pivot at the end of summer to autumn, the transition from fire to metal. As earth it will add some dampness to the heat.

2.5 hrs - 3 hrsLearn the Lesser Heat and Greater Heat traditional qi gong exercises. Lesser heat exercise activates thoracic vertebra 4 and helps the gallbladder. Greater Heat exercise activates thoracic vertebra 3 and helps the lungs.