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Dayan Arts Organization, 208 N. Main Street, Delphos, OH (2026)

11/05/2026

12 MERIDIANS SERIES — WEEK 5, LESSON 24
Thursday: Joining the Palms — Anjali Mudra for Heart Balance

This week we are focusing on the Heart channel and its connection to the Fire element. Today we are looking at the palms-together hand position, which appears in our 2nd 64 and Meridian Patting forms. A similar position is known in yoga as Anjali Mudra.

To practice, bring your palms gently together in front of the center of your chest with your fingers pointing upward. Keep the fingers together and comfortably extended. Let your elbows settle naturally and relax your shoulders. The hands should meet gently without pressing hard or creating tension in the wrists.

For this lesson, sit or stand comfortably and hold the position for nine natural breath cycles. One cycle includes a complete inhalation and exhalation. Keep your breathing easy, soften your chest, and let your attention settle on the contact between your hands.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Heart belongs to Fire and houses the Shen, or spirit. This includes our mental clarity, emotional steadiness, and ability to feel calm and present.

For our practice today, we are using this position as a way to quiet the mind and support that sense of Heart balance. Rather than trying to force energy or create a particular sensation, let the hands come together and give yourself a few moments to settle.

In yoga, Anjali Mudra is also used as a gesture of respect and a way to bring attention to the heart center. The traditions have their own explanations, but the familiar hand position gives us another opportunity to practice with awareness.

As you encounter this position in your Dayan forms, notice how it works with the movement and the rest of your body. Follow the placement taught in the form, keeping unnecessary tension out of your fingers, wrists, arms, and chest.

A simple detail to bring more awareness and calm into your training.

Happy Training!

11/04/2026

12 MERIDIANS SERIES — WEEK 5, LESSON 23
Wednesday: Balancing the Heart Channel

Heart 7 (Shenmen—Spirit Gate) is this week’s point as we continue learning about the Heart and the Fire element.

It is located at the wrist crease on the palm side, toward the little finger. With your palm facing up, find the small hollow beside the tendon on that side of your wrist, just toward the thumb. There is a matching point on both wrists.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heart 7 is the Yuan-Source point of the Heart channel. It is also a Shu-Stream point and the Earth point within this Fire channel. It is traditionally used to nourish and regulate the Heart and calm the Shen, or spirit.

The Shen relates to our awareness, mental activity, and emotional steadiness. This is why Shenmen is traditionally used for restlessness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

Shenmen is identified in the traditional teachings on the Heart channel. In our Dayan forms, we also work with the channel through coordinated movements of the hands, arms, and chest.

This helps us understand how the Heart channel is included in our practice, even when an individual point is not specifically named in a movement.

To explore Heart 7, relax your hand and wrist and use the opposite thumb to apply gentle, comfortable pressure. There is no need to press hard. Let your shoulders settle and breathe naturally. Avoid injured or irritated skin, and stop if you feel pain, tingling, or numbness.

When practicing your forms, keep the wrists soft and release unnecessary tension through the arms and shoulders. Let the movements flow and allow the breath to remain natural.

I encourage students to learn these points because they help us better understand our practice. We can study the details while still allowing the body and mind to settle naturally.

Take a few quiet moments today to slow down, soften your hands, and let the mind settle.

Happy Training!

11/03/2026

12 MERIDIAN SERIES — WEEK 5, LESSON 22
Tuesday: Heart Channel — Balance in Daily Life

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Heart belongs to the Fire element and is paired with the Small Intestine. The physical heart pumps blood throughout the body, while the traditional Heart system is described as governing Blood and the blood vessels and housing the Shen—our spirit, awareness, and mental activity. These relationships extend beyond the physical organ.

Prolonged emotional strain, overwork, and inadequate rest are traditionally considered contributors to disharmony in the Heart system. Constant stimulation and never giving ourselves time to settle can also make it harder to find a balance between activity and rest. The Heart’s associated emotion is joy. Healthy joy is welcome; the traditional concern is excessive excitement and agitation that leave us unable to settle.

Traditional patterns have different characteristics. Heart Blood deficiency may include difficulty sleeping, dizziness, and palpitations. Heart Yin deficiency may involve restless sleep, night sweats, and sensations of heat. Heart Fire is traditionally associated with agitation, thirst, and mouth or tongue sores. These are descriptions within Chinese medicine, rather than diagnoses we can make from a few symptoms.

Feeling anxious or having trouble sleeping does not mean your heart is unhealthy. Persistent symptoms, especially new or recurring palpitations, deserve medical evaluation. Chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, or pain spreading into the arm, back, or jaw may signal a heart attack. Call 911 if these occur.

Supporting balance starts with a steady routine. Eat regular, balanced meals, make time for rest, and give yourself a consistent bedtime. Notice whether caffeine, alcohol, or late-night stimulation interfere with your sleep. Chinese food traditions emphasize choosing foods according to the individual pattern rather than treating one food as a remedy for everyone.

Movement gives us an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with how we feel. Walking and gentle Dayan Qigong can be part of that routine. During practice, keep your shoulders relaxed, your chest comfortable, and your breathing natural. Let the movements stay smooth without forcing the breath or trying to create a particular sensation.

The Heart’s traditional relationship with joy also gives us something to reflect on. Make time for the people and activities you enjoy. Share a laugh, spend a few quiet minutes outside, or put the phone down and be present with someone you care about. We need room in our lives for both connection and quiet.

Summer is the season associated with Fire, but we can practice these habits throughout the year. Balance activity with rest, make room for enjoyment, and give yourself time each day to settle.

Happy Training!

11/02/2026

12 Meridians Series — Week 5, Lesson 21: The Heart and Its Channel

This week we move from the Wood element to Fire and begin with the Heart. Today we will look at what the physical heart does, its role in Chinese medicine, and the pathway of its channel.

Name: Heart Channel of Hand Shaoyin—“Lesser Yin”
Nature: Yin
Paired channel: Small Intestine—Yang
Element: Fire
Traditional two-hour period: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Acupuncture points: 9 on each side of the body.

The channel operates throughout the day; 11 a.m.–1 p.m. is its traditional period of greatest activity in the Chinese medicine clock. The physical heart works continuously, adjusting its rate and force to meet the body’s needs.

The physical heart is a muscular organ about the size of your fist, located between the lungs, slightly to the left of center. It pumps blood to the lungs to receive oxygen and then throughout the body to supply oxygen and nutrients. Its valves keep blood moving in the proper direction, while its electrical system coordinates each heartbeat.

In Chinese medicine, the Heart governs Blood and the blood vessels and houses the Shen, often translated as mind or spirit. Shen includes our awareness, mental clarity, emotional life, and capacity to connect with others. The Heart is also traditionally connected with sleep, memory, and the expression of our thoughts through speech.

The emotion associated with the Heart is joy. In balance, this includes warmth, connection, and the ability to enjoy life while remaining settled within ourselves. Traditional theory also describes excessive excitement or constant stimulation as potentially disturbing the Shen. These relationships extend beyond the functions of the physical heart.

The Heart is said to “open into the tongue,” reflecting its traditional relationship with speech and the appearance of the tongue. This is one part of a broader Chinese medicine assessment, rather than a way to judge heart health on its own.

The Heart channel begins internally in the Heart region. One branch descends through the diaphragm to connect with the Small Intestine. Another ascends alongside the esophagus toward the tissues connecting with the eyes.

The branch that reaches the surface travels through the Lung region and emerges at Jiquan, Heart 1, in the center of the armpit. From there, it descends along the inner upper arm toward the inner elbow.

It continues down the little-finger side of the inner forearm and reaches the wrist at Shenmen, Heart 7. It then passes through the palm and follows the side of the little finger facing the ring finger. It ends at Shaochong, Heart 9, near that corner of the little fingernail.

At the little finger, the Heart channel connects with its Yang partner, the Small Intestine channel. Together, they form one of the Yin–Yang partnerships associated with Fire. The Pericardium and Triple Burner form the other Fire partnership within the twelve-channel system.

Following this pathway helps us understand the Heart channel’s traditional connections with the chest, inner arms, wrists, palms, and little fingers. Its internal branches also help explain its relationships with the throat and eye region.

In Dayan Qigong, we have several specific movements and forms connected with the Heart in the traditional explanations.

Spread the Wings—movement 2 of the 1st 64—is one example. Opening the chest with the palms upward is described as engaging the Lung, Heart, and Pericardium relationships, along with the Ren and Chong vessels. Laogong in the palms and Shanzhong in the center of the chest are emphasized. Let the chest open naturally, keeping the shoulders and elbows relaxed.

Push Qi—movements 15 and 19 of the 1st 64—gives us an even more direct connection. Its traditional explanation specifically names the Hand Shaoyin Heart channel, along with the Pericardium, Sanjiao, and Small Intestine channels. The slow backward push is described as releasing excess Qi through Laogong. The waist and hips turn with the hand so the movement remains connected through the whole body. Movement 19 repeats this principle on the opposite side.

Five Element Bagua Gong or “Dayan Fist” provides another example. Its traditional theory describes regulating and supplementing the Lung, Liver, and Heart, including enriching Heart Qi. This reminds us that working with one organ system also involves its relationships with the rest of the body.

Power Development, also translated as Development Gong, places particular emphasis on the chest and Heart region while working with the five Zang organs and the three Dantians.

Chest-Opening Fragrance-Releasing Gong and Buddhist-Chan Seated Qi-Gathering Gong also have a direct connection. Their shared theoretical explanation includes the Heart channel among the internal Qi pathways involved in these practices.

On the quiet side, general seated or standing meditation gives us an opportunity to settle the mind and reduce unnecessary effort. Within traditional theory, this relates to calming the Shen. We do not need to force concentration or try to create a particular sensation. Let the body settle and gently return your attention whenever the mind wanders.

These are a few examples we will focus on this week. As you practice, keep the chest comfortable, let the shoulders settle, and allow the elbows, wrists, and fingers to remain relaxed. Keep your breathing natural and pay attention to the balance between activity and stillness.

Happy Training!

10/30/2026

DAYAN MERIDIAN SERIES — LESSON 20
Friday: Movements for Balancing the Gallbladder Channel

To finish our week on the Gallbladder channel, we are looking at movements 33 and 34 from the 1st 64—Step Forward and Gaze at the Palm, followed by Gazing at the Moon.

These two movements work together to help regulate the rising and descending of Gallbladder Qi. The turning, bending, and shifting of weight coordinate with the hands and eyes to work the channel along the head, ribs, hips, and outside of the legs.

33 — STEP FORWARD AND GAZE AT THE PALM

Shift your weight onto your right leg and step forward with your left foot, touching the front of the foot lightly to the ground. Keep your right knee slightly bent.

Turn both arms outward and raise them forward and upward in an arc. Keep your elbows bent, fingers pointing upward, and palms facing inward. Look into your left palm while your right palm faces the right temple area.

In the traditional explanation, this movement guides Qi through the Gallbladder channel along the side of the head. Gallbladder Qi rises while Liver Qi descends, helping coordinate these two Wood element channels.

34 — GAZING AT THE MOON

Lower the outside edge of your left heel to the ground, keeping the toes lightly raised. Leave your left hand in position while your right arm lowers beside your waist and sweeps toward the left as your body turns right.

Continue the circular movement of your right arm as your body turns back toward the left. Keep your right knee slightly bent and bend your upper body toward the front left.

Bring your right hand beneath your left arm, then lift it in a small arc toward the upper left. Your palm faces inward and slightly upward. Turn your head left and look upward into the sky.

This movement particularly works the Gallbladder channel along the outside of the legs. Its traditional explanation includes Huantiao (GB30) at the hip, Yanglingquan (GB34) near the outside of the knee, and Qiuxu (GB40) at the outer ankle.

Practice these two movements together, keeping the hands, eyes, waist, and weight shifts connected. Breathe naturally and keep the movement comfortable. Don’t force the bend or twist through the knees.

Of course, many other movements in Dayan Qigong also work with the Gallbladder channel. These two give us a good example of how the whole body works together during practice.

Happy Training!

10/29/2026

DAYAN MERIDIAN SERIES — LESSON 19
Thursday: Apana Mudra and Gallbladder Channel balance

This week we are focusing on the Gallbladder channel and its connection with the Wood element. Today we are looking at a hand position known in yoga as Apana Mudra. This hand position is also used in some higher level Dayan meditations.

In some mudra teachings, Apana Mudra is used to support the energy of the Liver and Gallbladder and help balance the Wood element. These teachings also associate it with patience, calmness, and inner balance.

Apana is connected with the downward movement of energy and the processes of elimination and release. During practice, use this as a reminder to settle the body, quiet the mind, and let go of unnecessary tension.

To practice, gently touch the tips of your middle and ring fingers to the tip of your thumb. Keep your index and little fingers comfortably extended. Use a light touch without making the hand stiff.

For this lesson, sit comfortably and rest your hands on your thighs with your palms facing upward. Hold the position for nine natural breath cycles. One cycle includes a complete inhalation and exhalation. Keep your shoulders relaxed, your breathing easy, and your attention on your hands.

As with other hand positions in Dayan, the position is one part of the practice. Posture, breathing, relaxation, and attention all work together.

The Liver and Gallbladder associations described here come from some modern mudra teachings and should be understood as energetic associations, rather than a treatment for gallbladder disease.

Happy Training!

10/28/2026

WEDNESDAY — LESSON 18: BALANCING THE GALLBLADDER CHANNEL

Gallbladder 34 (Yanglingquan—Yang Mound Spring) is a great point to learn as we explore balancing the Gallbladder channel.

It is located on the outside of the lower leg, just below the knee, in the depression slightly in front of and below the head of the fibula—the bony bump on the outside of the leg.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gallbladder 34 is known as the Hui-Meeting point of the sinews, which includes the tendons. It is traditionally used to benefit the sinews and joints, ease stiffness and spasms, and encourage the smooth movement of Liver and Gallbladder Qi. Traditional uses include knee discomfort, tight muscles, and discomfort along the outside of the leg.

Gallbladder 34 is specifically mentioned in the Dayan teachings for Gaze at the Moon, movement 34 of the 1st 64. The explanation connects the bending and turning action with the Bladder and Gallbladder pathways, naming Gallbladder 34 alongside Huantiao (GB30) and Xiyangguan (GB33).

It is also named in Power Development, where the teachings describe opening the leg tendons and joints, including Yanglingquan and Zusanli (ST36).

Learning these points helps us better understand what we are working with during our forms. As you practice, keep your stepping and turning smooth, release unnecessary tension, and work within a comfortable range of motion.

Happy Training!

10/27/2026

MERIDIAN SERIES — LESSON 17
Tuesday: Gallbladder Channel — Balance in Daily Life

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Gallbladder belongs to the Wood element and is paired with the Liver. It stores and releases bile to assist digestion, while its traditional energetic role includes courage, judgment, and the ability to make decisions and follow through. These relationships describe the TCM Gallbladder system, which extends beyond the physical organ.

Prolonged emotional strain and unresolved frustration are traditionally considered contributors to imbalance in the Liver–Gallbladder system. Frequent rich, greasy meals and excessive alcohol are associated with the development of Damp-Heat. Overwork, inadequate rest, and irregular habits may also contribute to traditional patterns of disharmony.

Damp-Heat patterns may include a bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, and discomfort around the ribs. Phlegm-Heat patterns may involve restless sleep, dizziness, and nausea. Gallbladder Qi deficiency is traditionally associated with timidity, being easily startled, and difficulty making decisions.

These signs alone do not establish a diagnosis of a channel imbalance or gallbladder disease. Feeling uncertain does not mean your gallbladder is unhealthy. Persistent symptoms deserve evaluation, and severe upper-right abdominal pain, fever, or yellowing of the eyes or skin needs urgent medical care.

Supporting balance starts with a steady routine. Eat regular, balanced meals, limit fried foods and alcohol, and give yourself enough time to rest. Chinese food traditions emphasize adjusting food choices to the individual pattern rather than using one food as a remedy for everyone.

Movement gives us a chance to work through some of the tension we carry. Walking, comfortable side stretches, and gentle Dayan Qigong practice can be part of that routine. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your breathing natural, allowing the movement to stay smooth instead of forcing a stretch.

The Gallbladder’s traditional relationship with courage also gives us something to reflect on. Notice when you are putting off decisions or letting frustration drive your response. Pause, consider your options, and take one manageable step forward.

Spring is the season associated with Wood, but we can practice these habits throughout the year. Make room for movement, rest, and a calmer approach to daily challenges.

Happy Training!

10/26/2026

12 Meridians Series — Week 4, Lesson 16: The Gallbladder and Its Channel

This week we continue with the Wood element and the Gallbladder. Last week we covered its Yin partner, the Liver. Today we will look at what the physical gallbladder does, its role in Chinese medicine, and the pathway of its channel.

Name: Gallbladder Channel of Foot Shaoyang—“Lesser Yang”
Nature: Yang
Paired channel: Liver—Yin
Element: Wood
Traditional two-hour period: 11 p.m.–1 a.m.
Acupuncture points: 44 on each side of the body.

The channel operates throughout the day; 11 p.m.–1 a.m. is its traditional period of greatest activity in the Chinese medicine clock. The physical gallbladder works as needed throughout the day.

The physical gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver in the upper right abdomen. It stores and concentrates bile made by the liver. When we eat, especially foods containing fat, it releases bile into the small intestine to help digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

In Chinese medicine, the Gallbladder stores and releases bile and is also associated with courage, judgment, and decision-making. The Liver is traditionally connected with planning, while the Gallbladder is connected with making decisions and acting on those plans. Together, they relate to the Wood qualities of growth, direction, and flexibility. These traditional relationships extend beyond the functions of the physical organs.

The Gallbladder channel begins at Tongziliao, Gallbladder 1, near the outer corner of the eye. It travels toward the ear and winds across the side of the head, around the ear, and toward the base of the skull. It then descends along the neck and crosses the top of the shoulder.

From there, the surface pathway continues along the side of the chest and ribs, through the waist, and into the hip. It travels down the outside of the thigh, past the outer knee, and along the outer lower leg. It passes in front of the outer ankle, crosses the top of the foot, and ends at Zuqiaoyin, Gallbladder 44, near the outer corner of the fourth toenail.

Internal branches connect with the Liver and Gallbladder and pass through the diaphragm. Other branches connect with the ear and outer eye region. A branch on the foot continues toward the big toe, where it connects with the Liver channel.

The Liver and Gallbladder form the Yin–Yang partnership of the Wood element. The Liver channel travels mainly along the inner leg, while the Gallbladder channel follows the outer leg and much of the side of the body. Following this pathway helps us understand its traditional connections with the head, neck, shoulders, ribs, hips, and legs.

In Dayan Qigong, the Gallbladder connection goes beyond opening the ribs. Lower the Waist—movement 11 of the 1st 64—is mainly associated with the Kidney and Bladder channels, but its traditional explanation also includes the Gallbladder channel. The bending and returning action brings the waist and lower body into the movement. Work within your range and keep the action comfortable.

Dayan Palm gives us another connection through Huantiao, Gallbladder 30, in the hip region. Its traditional theory describes an internal Qi pathway connecting the crown region with Huantiao. This gives us a useful reminder to keep the upper and lower body connected, allowing the waist and hips to take part in the movement.

Chest-Opening Fragrance-Releasing Gong is another form traditionally associated with the Liver and Gallbladder, along with several other internal organs. It works with opening the chest, channels, and small joints. This broader approach is important because we practice the body as a connected whole.

On the quiet side, A Jing Gong Meditation includes circulation through the Gallbladder and Liver pathways. It combines hand positions and oral formulas with stillness, giving us a different way to work with these relationships within the system.

These are a few examples we will focus on this week. Many other movements throughout the forms and meditations also contribute to Wood balance within Dayan theory. Pay attention to how the head, shoulders, waist, and hips work together, and keep your practice relaxed and natural.

Happy Training!

10/23/2026

DAYAN MERIDIAN SERIES — LESSON 15
Friday: Flapping the wings and Thrusting the wings forward.

Today we are focusing on movements 4–7 of the 1st 64: Flapping the wings and Thrusting the wings forward followed by a repeat of both movements.

These movements work together to soothe and regulate the Liver and Gallbladder channels. In the traditional explanation of Dayan Qigong, they also harmonize the Middle Jiao and help direct counterflow Qi downward.

During Flapping the wings the arms fold inward and then open outward in a large arc. The palms gather Qi through Laogong, while lifting the heels opens Yongquan on the soles of the feet to receive Earth Qi.

During Thrusting the wings forward the hands form a relaxed claw shape to concentrate and direct Qi. The hands move through the waist region and swing outward, while the heels drop. The shaking action activates the Liver and Gallbladder channels around the ribs, and dropping heels helps direct turbid Qi downward through the feet.

Together, these movements combine gathering and releasing, opening and closing, and rising and descending. Their traditional purpose is to encourage smooth channel circulation and help release stagnation around the ribs and middle of the body.

Keep the shoulders relaxed, the waist loose, and the movements coordinated. Allow the breath to remain natural rather than forcing it to match the movements.

There are many other movements throughout the Dayan forms and meditations that support the Liver system. Today we are simply focusing on this section of the 1st 64.

Happy Training!