A Few Things to Note about Lajin

A Few Things to Note about Lajin

1. Lajin is based on natural movements of the body, hence any pain, numbness, soreness or swelling felt during Lajin are signs of poor blood flow, which can be gradually improved with Lajin. 

2. Lajin is a DIY method, thus its intensity and duration is fully within your control. Know your limits to avoid injuries.

3. Aches and pains experienced after Lajin can be signs of improvement. However, they should be within your tolerable range. Adjust the intensity and duration of Lajin to suit your needs and 
tolerance .

Note: Paida and Lajin are self-healing methods, they are not methods of medical treatment.

4. Beginners, the elderly, and those with severe health problems should get into Lajin positions step by step. Intensity and duration can be gradually increased to achieve greater efficacy.

5. Stiff muscles are the body’s alarm signaling decreased liver function — affecting muscles, joints, and the Jin (tendons and ligaments). It is therefore even more crucial for those with stiff muscles to practice Lajin.

6. When Lajin with increased intensity and duration no longer gives you pain, numbness or soreness — Congratulations! You now have smooth Qi and blood flow, and your body is flexible and well balanced.

What are the common physical responses of Lajin?

Type 1:

Pain, numbness, soreness, swelling, itchiness and yawning are some of the natural responses you may experience when you practice Lajin and/or Paida. These physical responses, according to Chinese medicine, are signs of “healing crises”, i.e. the healthy Qi is charging at “problem areas”. To some extent, this is the darkness before dawn breaks. These responses are signs indicating that the obstructed meridians (energy channels) are now being cleared.

Type 2:

Red spots, rashes, blisters, dizziness, belching, headaches, nausea, thick phlegm, running nose, farting, extremely stinky excrement and urine.

All these responses are detoxification reactions and signs of “healing crises”. Some old injuries and diseases may re-appear and even aggravate. When such signs appear, you should continue Lajin and Paida. After the body’s self-cleansing and detoxification, you will gradually self heal and enjoy better health.

Continue Lajin and Paida even after these reactions go away, adjusting to lower intensity and shorter duration should that be your wish.

What is the appropriate duration and intensity of Lajin?

Duration of Lajin

There is no fixed standard, but 10-40 minutes for each leg in reclining position is recommended. This is, however, dependant on individual tolerance. Hence, it serves only as a reference. But the general rule of thumb is the longer the practice, the better the efficacy and health benefits.

1. When doing Lajin in reclining position, most healthy people can straighten the raised leg and rest the other foot on the ground. However, for those who are frail or have severe health problems, it can be quite a challenge. Some may feel intense pain the moment they get into Lajin position and want to get down at once. For these people, Lajin duration and intensity should be increased gradually, starting with one or two minutes of Lajin.

2. For people who dance or practice yoga, 10 minutes of Lajin will not be a challenge. If the duration is extended to 30-40 minutes, all kinds of physical responses will come up, such as leg numbness, pain, sweating, belching, farting, excretion, etc. Chronic diseases such as insomnia, constipation, kidney deficiency, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases will be gradually alleviated.

Intensity of Lajin

The intensity of Lajin varies from one practice to another and has no fixed standard, but should also be within a tolerable range.

1. You can ask someone to help press your legs, or you may use sandbags or other weights.

2. Hands stretched backward may carry weights such as dumbbells, bags or dictionaries. This may add to your pain, but is definitely more effective in curing many diseases such as frozen shoulder, chest tightness, breast and heart problems.

3. When incorporated with proper breathing, stretching arms backward as far out as possible has obvious efficacies for obese women or those with sagging breasts, because Lajin in reclining position changes the direction of gravity on breasts.

Cautions and Suggestions

1. When doing Lajin, it is best to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to keep warm. Air-conditioning should be turned off or lowered as the pores are opened up during Lajin, otherwise the chills may induce more diseases.

2. If, in reclining position, your sole cannot touch the ground, you can slightly move your leg to the side to ease the pain. But once the foot can touch the ground, try to draw back the leg close to the other, to avoid splay feet.

3. The frail and those with high blood pressure, heart problems or weak bones should first consult a doctor before doing Lajin. People who have Jin-Suo will definitely feel painful during Lajin, and experience high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat, in which case it is best to rest the head on a pillow to ease blood rush to the head.

4. The elderly, the frail, those with weak bones or severe health problems might faint away because of pain. For such people, Lajin duration and intensity should be increased gradually, as there are no fixed standards, and they vary from person to person. But persistent efforts will pay off in the end. 

5. If someone doing Lajin is found with numb and cold limbs, pale face and cold sweat, this is known in Western medicine as “Hyperventilation Syndrome”. It can be resolved by covering his/her nose and mouth with a paper or plastic bag to form an enclosed breathing system. The symptoms should be gone in five minutes and the condition should return to normal.

6. Women may practice Lajin at any point of their “period”. Painful menstruation can be reduced with Lajin practice.

7. For better health benefits, practice both Paida and Lajin. In particular, for those who have problem or pains doing Lajin, Paida the joints, hands and feet can help relieve the pain.