Kati doing the meridian yoga exercise fish for the conception vessel with stretch line drawn in

Meridian Yoga Exercises

explained

Fish

The conception vessel, together with the handlebar vessel, forms the "Small Heavenly Circuit. The Governing Vessel runs up the back midline of the body, while the Conceptual Vessel runs down the front midline. More specifically, from the lower lip, across the sternum and abdomen, to the perineal point. There it reconnects with the Governing Vessel.

The conception vessel, or KG, or renmai, is called the mother of all yin organs. The yin organs include the kidney, liver, heart, spleen and lungs. These have a special relationship to the KG.

Exercise description

With the backward bend you can easily harmonize your KG. Stand upright and support yourself with your hands on your lower back. Then push your pelvis forward so that the upper body makes a backward bend. Make sure that you do not overextend your head too much.

You will now feel a stretch along the front of the body. This corresponds to the conception vessel, which you will open during the following breaths.

Frequently asked questions

What can I do if my back is not so flexible?

In this case, you do the rotation only to a very small extent. In this case, pay special attention to deep abdominal breathing. This will relax your back muscles via the diaphragm.

Does this exercise help with back problems?

In case of acute back problems, these should always be clarified by a doctor. Otherwise, this exercise is very helpful in solving back problems, but also as prevention.

Portrait of Wolfgang Stemer for my TCM Qi Gong Academy, Simply Live Better

Pro tip from Wolfgang

The exercise shown is a classic among yoga exercises and should not be missing from any back program. Backbends of the spine are very often missing in our everyday life and this often leads to back problems.