Paida & Lajin Self-Healing
This is an additional benefit of Sha treatment in Paida, also known as the “after-effects of Paida.”
Chapter V: Lajin Self-Healing Technique
While Lajin (literally “to pull on tendons; to stretch Jin”), compared with acupuncture, moxibustion and medication, is not widely practiced in history as a major healing method,
various Lajin techniques have long been part of traditional health preservation practices in Chinese medicine,
Taoism, Wushu (martial arts), Qi Gong as well as yoga. The concept of “ Jin-Suo (tendon tightening)” is yet to be recognised in Western medicine; as such, many people with hypertension, diabetes and other diseases are still being treated, only through the control of indicators like blood pressure or blood sugar level, whereas the root causes remain undetected even after years of treatment. Nonetheless, such causes can be easily determined through Lajin ; and when combined with Paida, they can be diagnosed even more precisely. Many pains are actually caused by Jin-Suo, which can be instantaneously relieved by doing Lajin. As the technique is not known to and/or adopted by modern medical practitioners, medication and surgery are used instead to suppress the superficial symptoms.
Doctors commonly believe that when one complains of pain, stretching needs to be stopped so as not to injure the tendons and bones. However, it is precisely because of tightened tendons that pulling or stretching is needed to avoid further tightening. The stretching actually alleviates the pain. It should be noted that
Lajin intensity and duration is to be gradually increased, and better efficacy can be achieved if it is combined with Paida, proper diet or other therapies. Many seriously ill patients can walk
briskly after Lajin, those with lower back pain feel it much relieved, and some are even thoroughly cured. Lajin may be practiced daily by healthy people as prevention against Jin-Suo. Daily Lajin is one of the best practices for health maintenance.
My Health, I Manage!
How do I detect the occurrence of Jin-Suo?
If your body manifests one or several of the following eight symptoms, then you are suffering from Jin-Suo:
[Test 1]
Ability to squat – do you find it increasingly difficult? One way to tell is to try using a squat toilet.
[Test 2] Can you lift your legs with ease? Remember climbing stairs in big strides? Do you find the movement increasingly taxing?
[Test 3] Can you bend from the waist effortlessly? Each time, bending becomes increasingly taxing for you and you might easily end up with twists and sprains.
[Test 4] Can you walk or run in long strides? If you can only take small steps, then it’s time to take note.
[Test 5] Is your one leg longer or shorter than the other? “How come I never realised one of my legs is longer than the other?”
[Test 6] Can you stretch and bend your arms? Try holding the rings when you ride on a bus or train.
[Test 7] Can you stretch your legs in a seated position (assuming a horse stance)? “Why can’t I stretch out as wide as others?”
[Test 8] Can you turn your body easily?
“Ah, it is not because I am fat, but because I’ve got Jin-Suo?”
What are the signs and symptoms of Jin-Suo?
According to Taoist wisdom,
“Extending Jin by one inch will prolong life by 10 years.”
One dies when Jin degenerates completely.
Flexible Jin contributes to good health. Once Jin shrinks, the body will manifest one or several of the following 15 symptoms:
1. Neck stiffness and pain
2. Lumbar stiffness and pain
3. Inability to bend down
4. Back stiffness and pain
5. Leg pain and paralysis
6. Inability to squat down
7. Uneven legs
8. Radiating pain in the heels
9. Short steps
10. Stressed Jin at the hip join
11. Inability to raise the thighs forward or sideways
12. Difficulty in turning around
13. Contraction of muscles
14. Inability to extend or bend the elbows
15. Swelling, numbness, pain or inflexibility in the arms, legs, elbows and knees
What problems are related to Jin-Suo ?
Apart from the signs and symptoms mentioned above, Jin-Suo also contributes to the following problems:
1. Urinary system disorders, such as prostate disorders, piles, frequent, urgent or involuntary urination, urinary blockage, etc.
2. Reproductive system disorders, such as menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, uterine flesh tumour, ovarian cyst, or infertility in women; impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission or decreased libido in men
3. Inexplicable pains of internal organs, including stomach pain, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, children’s belly pain, etc.
4. Coldness, numbness, pains and swellings in hands and feet
5. Cardiovascular disorders and cerebrovascular diseases, such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, chest tightness, short of breath, palpitation, irregular heartbeat , etc.
6. Liver and gall bladder disorders, such as Type A hepatitis, Type B hepatitis, Type C hepatitis and cholecystitis
7. Skin diseases, such as neurodermatitis, allergic dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.
8. Diabetes
9. Stroke sequelae. Sequele is a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury. "the long-term sequelae of infection"
Six common Lajin positions and their effects
1. Lajin in reclining position.
This Lajin reclining position delivers the most comprehensive healing efficacy. It is also the safest to implement, and should be practiced while lying down on a Lajin bench. (see Figure 1)
Figure 1 ⇧
⇧ Figure 1
i. Sit down on the bench next to the pole with buttocks placed as close to the edge as possible, lie down slowly;
ii. Place one leg up straight against the pole, and the sole of the foot should be vertical to the pole. Move your body so that the buttocks are pressed against the pole. Use a Velcro band or a strap to secure the raised leg onto the pole, the strap should be best placed around the thigh just above the knee;
iii. Lower the other leg, and try to have the sole reach the ground. Sandbags (5kg - 30kg) or other weights may be strapped around the calf, and more weights can be added gradually. After the sole reaches the ground, try as much as possible to move both thighs close together. Difficulty increases as the thighs are held increasingly closer together. Proper posture is such that both thighs are held close together, and both legs are stretched as much as possible in opposite directions. This is to fully stretch the meridians behind the knees, along the inner thighs and the groin;
iv. Raise both arms and try to stretch as far backward as possible, rest arms on the bench;
v. Stay in this position and stretch for 10 to 40 minutes; switch legs and repeat the steps above;
vi. If the arms stretched backward could not lie flat on the bench, hold weights in the hands to increase the pressure;
vii. If sandbags and weights are not readily available, get others to help press both arms and legs. Be sure to press lightly in the beginning and gradually increase the pressure;
viii. The effects can be determined from the facial expressions of whoever is on the Lajin bench; the efficacy increases with the amount of pain felt. Be careful to keep it within a tolerable range.
In the absence of a Lajin bench, two chairs can be used as a substitute. (see Figure 2)⇩
(Figure 2)
i. Place two chairs with no armrests parallel to a wall with a corner, or, to one side of a door frame or column;
ii. Sit on the chair closer to the wall or door frame, move the buttocks to the edge of the chair;
iii. Lie down and raise the right leg straight up against the wall or doorframe. Lower the other leg, and try to have the sole reach the ground; stretch both arms backwards and lay them on the chairs. Maintain this position for 10 - 50 minutes. As it is not possible to strap the raised leg, you need someone to help press the leg against the wall or doorframe for genuine effect;
iv. Move the chairs to the other side of the wall or doorframe, switch legs and repeat the steps above. Stretch for another 10 - 50 minutes.
Disadvantages of using chairs are as follows: Lying on chairs is not as even, comfortable or as safe as on a Lajin bench. The raised leg cannot be strapped onto the wall or doorframe, the height and build of chairs may vary, resulting in discounted Lajin effect. Some people, after practicing Lajin this way for quite a while, did not feel the condition much relieved, but once they switched to the Lajin bench, the healing efficacy significantly improved.
Benefits of Lajin in reclining position:
i. All meridians, including three “ yang”, three “ yin” meridians along the arms and legs (12 in total), as well as the Ren and Du
meridians, are directly or indirectly unclogged; as such, various diseases are treated directly and indirectly. Unclogging the meridians can detoxify the body, cure diseases, and improve immunity as well as sexual functions;
Ren Meridian/Conception Vessel Meridian (running in the middle of the front) and Du Meridian/Governing Vessel Meridian (running along the spine at the back and up to top of the head).
ii. Various pains are instantaneously relieved, for instance pain in the gall bladder, liver, neck, back, hip, legs, knees, feet, head, menstrual pain, etc.;
iii. It has significant efficacy on those with chronic diseases and hard-to-diagnose diseases, which include hypertension, heart diseases, prostatitis, diabetes, liver, kidney, stomach and skin diseases, piles, constipation, stroke sequelae, and so on;
iv. “Side effects” of Lajin in reclining position can include beauty enhancement, increase in height, weight loss, fading freckles and wrinkles as well as disappearance of acne. Middle-aged people and youngsters may experience increase in height after Lajin; whereas the most striking effects are seen in the elderly, as most of them suffer from tightened tendons and are hunchbacked.
v. There is still no telling exactly how many diseases can be treated through practicing Lajin in reclining position. The list above is a summary of the feedback from readers who practice Lajin on their own.
2. Lajin in squatting position (see Figure 3)
Figure 3. Squatting lajin
This is the oldest natural Lajin position; and the number of meridians it acts on exceeds that of the reclining position.
This position is simple: Just squat down on the ground for 5 - 40 minutes. Beginners may find squatting with feet spread apart easier to approach. The level of difficulty can be gradually increased by squatting with the feet placed closer together. For even better effects, try to squat as low as possible, hold your arms
around the knees and lower your head. This is also known as the “baby hugging” posture, which is similar to the posture of a baby in the womb. The level of difficulty and efficacy are also increased when squatting with bare feet.
Chinese people used to do many things squatting down; they eat, chat, even hold meetings in this squatting Lajin position, as can be traced in many old movies. However, impacted by waves of modernization, even squat toilets are replaced by seated ones. The seated toilet may appear to offer more comfort, yet it actually deprives people of the chance to do some natural Lajin.
In turn, it contributes to the rise in the number of people with lower back and leg pains, and finding it difficult to squat down. That is why I strongly urge architects and real estate developers to immediately restore the squat toilet to cut costs and to help save billions of dollars in medical expenses. It is also very beneficial if squatting can be incorporated into activities of daily life.
Benefits of Lajin in squatting position:
i. It enables a great part of the body and a good number of acupoints to be stretched. It perfectly complements the reclining position, in that tendons not fully stretched in reclining position are fully stretched by squatting down. Tightened tendons at the following areas are stretched: heels, ankles, calves, knees, hips, Sacroiliac joints, caudal vertebra, lower back, chest, back, shoulders, and neck. Stretching these parts will clear all major meridians in the body; blood circulation and peristalsis of large and small intestines are also stimulated. This Lajin position is a typical “carpet bombing” strategy;
ii. Improvement is made in most known diseases, such as hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, gynaecological disorders, prostate diseases, constipation, piles, gastroenteritis, various types of lower back and leg pains, various types of arthritis, and so on;
iii. For people in a sub-health condition, it is a very beneficial method of health maintenance.
3. Lajin in standing position (see Figure 4)
Figure 4
i. Stand in a door-frame, raise both arms to hold the sides, and stretch the arms as much as possible;
ii. Place one foot forward to do a bow step, and place the other foot behind to straighten it as much as possible. Keep the heels on the ground;
iii. Keep the upper body parallel to the door-frame, with head raised and eyes looking straight ahead;
iv. Stay in this position for 5 - 8 minutes, and then switch legs.
Benefits of Lajin in standing position:
It acts on the meridians around the scapular, shoulders, back and legs, primarily on such diseases as neck and shoulder pains, frozen shoulder, back pain, mammary gland diseases, hyperthyrosis, and lung diseases. The bladder meridian at the back of the calves is also stretched.
4. Lajin in horizontal position (see Figures 5 - 6)
⇩Figure 5. L-shape
⇩ Figure 6. V-shape
Lie on the ground or on a bed, with one leg held down by another person, spread the other leg horizontally as long as the pain is tolerable. Stay in this position for 3 - 30 minutes, and then switch legs. (see Figure 5)
Also, you can lie on a bed with the buttocks pressed against the wall, raise your legs and spread them as far apart as possible, in a posture similar to the capital letter “Y”. Stay in this position for 3 - 30 minutes. (see Figure 6)
Benefits of Lajin in horizontal position:
This position can be used to complement the reclining position, in case pain in the lower back or sacrum still persists after practicing the reclining position. It helps to stretch and unclog the liver, spleen and kidney meridians, and to treat related diseases.
5. Neck stretching position (see Figure 7)
Figure 7. ⇧
Lie face up on a bed, a Lajin bench or chairs, move your head off the edge and let it hang down naturally, put your arms behind your head and stretch as much as possible. Maintain this position for 5– 8 minutes. By hanging down part of the chest vertebrae from the edge of a bed or a bench, diseases related to the chest vertebrae, heart or lungs can be alleviated.
Benefits of neck stretching position:
This position is practiced primarily to treat diseases related to the neck vertebrae, shoulders, the upper back, and the chest vertebrae. Examples of related diseases are neck stiffness, humpback, chest tightness, headaches, dizziness, heart and cerebrovascular diseases, mammary gland proliferation, thyroid gland diseases, asthma, frozen shoulder, etc.
6. Lajin during sleep (see Figure 8)
Figure 8
It is also known as the method of “vertebrae alignment during sleep”; it is practiced by sleeping on a wooden bed or a hard mattress, preferably without a pillow. This is equivalent to pulling and realigning all the bones in the vertebrae. It can be practiced by sleeping in any posture. As the head tends to be leaning forward for prolonged periods of time when we are working, the posture will cause pain and discomfort in the neck vertebrae. Practicing this reverses the direction of gravity on the neck; it is a gentle but effective Lajin method. Those used to sleeping on a pillow will get accustomed to it after a few nights’ practice.
Many people, after gaining instantaneous effects from this method, may find their problems reoccurring later on. One of the reasons is that they have not changed their habits; they still sit in soft couches or sleep on soft mattresses when they return home. Sitting and sleeping on mats or wooden beds are traditional Chinese practices that are unfortunately no longer popular. However, these traditions are still very much alive and well in Japanese and Korean cultures.
Some may complain that sleeping on a hard bed causes them pain. However, it is actually performing Lajin during the process, as the bed does not adjust itself to the dislocated, sunken, or crooked joints or vertebrae, but acts against body weight in a natural, automatic manner to realign the bones.
Benefits of Lajin during sleep:
Firstly, it is a natural, safe, and DIY Lajin method; Lajin happens naturally during sleep, and the force comes from body weight. Minor vertebrae dislocations can be realigned by sticking to sleeping on hard beds;
Secondly, it is a simple method of diagnosis to locate the nidus of a disease, which normally lies where the pain is felt. The reason why antique Chinese furniture is designed with straight and flat surfaces is so that whoever sitting on them will keep the body straight, enabling Lajin to happen naturally. People who watch television or chat while curling in comfortable couches and soft beds for long periods of time are more likely to have slouched backs, weak backs and knees, dislocations of bones, tightening of tendons, and also clogged meridians. In meditation practice, one of the requirements is to sit straight, as it helps to keep bones aligned and tendons supple. This will eventually help to clear meridians.
If hard beds are not available, simply sleep on the ground. The sleeping hours is the time when we absorb Qi from the earth; sleeping on the ground, especially on the ground floor, is thus more healthful. In short, sleeping and sitting on hard surfaces is Lajin and bone alignment in progress.
Lajin duration and intensity
It is not possible to set an absolute standard for Lajin duration and intensity as each person differs in his physique, age and condition. Duration and intensity are relative concepts; patients and the elderly cannot be expected to stretch in perfect posture at the first attempt. What is important in Lajin is to stretch until pain, numbness, soreness and swelling pains are felt. Efficacy of Lajin is proportionate to the amount of pain felt.
Evidences from a large number of clinical practices indicate that
Lajin efficacy is better if practiced in duration of 20 minutes or more. The efficacy of a 20-minute Lajin session is better than two 10-minute sessions; the number of disorders treated is also greater with longer duration. If one’s condition is severe, he/she will feel tremendous pain after just a couple of minutes on the Lajin bench. In such cases, the duration and intensity of Lajin should be increased more slowly. As for those who practice yoga or dance regularly, 10 minutes of Lajin won’t be any challenge, but if the duration of Lajin for each leg is extended to 30 - 40 minutes, sensations like numbness, soreness, pain, belching, farting, bowel movement, sweating, etc. will be felt. These are good reactions of “Qì Chōng Bìng Zào”, which indicate that treatment is under way. Thus, Lajin should be continued, and preferably can be combined with Paida for better efficacy.
My mother is over 70 years old, and she had suffered from a number of diseases, including hypertension, heart disease, kidney disorders, lower back and leg pain, and cataracts. For the past 20 years or so, she had been taking anti-hypertensive drugs, heart medication and other drugs. But now she has abandoned them all. With perseverance, she practices daily at least 30 minutes of Lajin for each leg, and Paida for more than two hours. Now her health readings are all back to normal. As she has been a doctor of Western medicine for several decades, you can imagine it took a while before she changed her mind-set.
It should be noted that Lajin duration is counted only after sensations like pain, numbness, soreness, swelling pain, and tightness are felt. If one stops stretching after experiencing a little pain or numbness, or just lie comfortably on a Lajin bench or chairs without straightening the raised leg, how could it possibly work? According to the female owner of a beauty salon, Lajin in reclining position combined with proper breathing and arms stretched as far back as possible, is notably beneficial to overweight women with sagging breasts, as such posture alters the direction of gravity on the breasts.
Other than alleviating lower back and leg pains, Lajin helps people who practice meditation to sit cross-legged with greater ease. A disciple of Master Nan Huaijin read about the incredible efficacy of Lajin in my book Journey to Cure (Chinese title:《医行天下》, pinyin: yī xíng tiān xià) and reported it to Master Nan. Since then, Lajin has been enthusiastically embraced at the Taihu Academy where Nan teaches traditional Chinese culture. It is a pity that Paida self-healing technique had not yet been included in the book then, otherwise I believe it would have been adopted as well. Now, Paida and Lajin self-healing techniques are being practiced in an increasing number of hospitals, beauty salons, yoga schools, Buddhist and Taoist temples, meditation and health centres.
What are the diagnostic and self-healing properties of Lajin?
In addition to its therapeutic functions, Lajin can also help in diagnosis. Physical illnesses can be diagnosed from Lajin posture and self healed in the course of Lajin practice.
Take the following for instance:
1. If there is knee pain and the knees cannot be straightened, these are symptoms of Jin-Suo. This indicates that the liver meridian (the channel related to liver) is clogged, because liver governs Jin. Obstructed liver meridian will certainly affect the stomach and the spleen. This is because the liver (which has the properties of wood) negatively impacts the spleen (which has the properties of earth);
2. If there is pain in the back of the knees, it indicates that the urinary bladder meridian is clogged, and that the lower back has problems, which may be caused by back vertebrae and/or kidney malfunctioning. This is because the functions of the urinary bladder and the kidneys are closely related — both with the properties of water — and one organ cannot stay healthy if the other is not. Diseases caused by urinary bladder meridian clogs include edema, obesity, frequent urination, diabetes, and so on;
3. During Lajin in reclining position, if the raised hands and arms cannot rest on the surface of the bench, this may indicate risks of frozen shoulder, and it contributes to diseases of the heart, lung, head, five sense organs (ears, eyes, lips, nose and tongue) and breasts;
4. If the raised leg cannot stretch straight and the lowered leg hangs in the air without touching the ground, it suggests that Jin-Suo
is severe, the liver, spleen and kidney meridians are clogged, and that there is lower back and knee pain, and even numerous problems with vital organs of the body. Women with these symptoms may have gynaecological disorders, whereas men may have prostate problems.
Will Lajin cause damage to Jin or muscles?
https://www.scribd.com/document/292825535/E-Dao-Manual-of-Pai-Da-and-La-Jin-SelHealing-Techniquesf
12. Difficulty in turning around
13. Contraction of muscles
14. Inability to extend or bend the elbows
15. Swelling, numbness, pain or inflexibility in the arms, legs, elbows and knees
What problems are related to Jin-Suo ?
Apart from the signs and symptoms mentioned above, Jin-Suo also contributes to the following problems:
1. Urinary system disorders, such as prostate disorders, piles, frequent, urgent or involuntary urination, urinary blockage, etc.
2. Reproductive system disorders, such as menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, uterine flesh tumour, ovarian cyst, or infertility in women; impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission or decreased libido in men
3. Inexplicable pains of internal organs, including stomach pain, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, children’s belly pain, etc.
4. Coldness, numbness, pains and swellings in hands and feet
5. Cardiovascular disorders and cerebrovascular diseases, such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, chest tightness, short of breath, palpitation, irregular heartbeat , etc.
6. Liver and gall bladder disorders, such as Type A hepatitis, Type B hepatitis, Type C hepatitis and cholecystitis
7. Skin diseases, such as neurodermatitis, allergic dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.
8. Diabetes
9. Stroke sequelae. Sequele is a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury. "the long-term sequelae of infection"
Six common Lajin positions and their effects
1. Lajin in reclining position.
This Lajin reclining position delivers the most comprehensive healing efficacy. It is also the safest to implement, and should be practiced while lying down on a Lajin bench. (see Figure 1)
Figure 1 ⇧
⇧ Figure 1
i. Sit down on the bench next to the pole with buttocks placed as close to the edge as possible, lie down slowly;
ii. Place one leg up straight against the pole, and the sole of the foot should be vertical to the pole. Move your body so that the buttocks are pressed against the pole. Use a Velcro band or a strap to secure the raised leg onto the pole, the strap should be best placed around the thigh just above the knee;
iii. Lower the other leg, and try to have the sole reach the ground. Sandbags (5kg - 30kg) or other weights may be strapped around the calf, and more weights can be added gradually. After the sole reaches the ground, try as much as possible to move both thighs close together. Difficulty increases as the thighs are held increasingly closer together. Proper posture is such that both thighs are held close together, and both legs are stretched as much as possible in opposite directions. This is to fully stretch the meridians behind the knees, along the inner thighs and the groin;
iv. Raise both arms and try to stretch as far backward as possible, rest arms on the bench;
v. Stay in this position and stretch for 10 to 40 minutes; switch legs and repeat the steps above;
vi. If the arms stretched backward could not lie flat on the bench, hold weights in the hands to increase the pressure;
vii. If sandbags and weights are not readily available, get others to help press both arms and legs. Be sure to press lightly in the beginning and gradually increase the pressure;
viii. The effects can be determined from the facial expressions of whoever is on the Lajin bench; the efficacy increases with the amount of pain felt. Be careful to keep it within a tolerable range.
In the absence of a Lajin bench, two chairs can be used as a substitute. (see Figure 2)⇩
(Figure 2)
i. Place two chairs with no armrests parallel to a wall with a corner, or, to one side of a door frame or column;
ii. Sit on the chair closer to the wall or door frame, move the buttocks to the edge of the chair;
iii. Lie down and raise the right leg straight up against the wall or doorframe. Lower the other leg, and try to have the sole reach the ground; stretch both arms backwards and lay them on the chairs. Maintain this position for 10 - 50 minutes. As it is not possible to strap the raised leg, you need someone to help press the leg against the wall or doorframe for genuine effect;
iv. Move the chairs to the other side of the wall or doorframe, switch legs and repeat the steps above. Stretch for another 10 - 50 minutes.
Disadvantages of using chairs are as follows: Lying on chairs is not as even, comfortable or as safe as on a Lajin bench. The raised leg cannot be strapped onto the wall or doorframe, the height and build of chairs may vary, resulting in discounted Lajin effect. Some people, after practicing Lajin this way for quite a while, did not feel the condition much relieved, but once they switched to the Lajin bench, the healing efficacy significantly improved.
Benefits of Lajin in reclining position:
i. All meridians, including three “ yang”, three “ yin” meridians along the arms and legs (12 in total), as well as the Ren and Du
meridians, are directly or indirectly unclogged; as such, various diseases are treated directly and indirectly. Unclogging the meridians can detoxify the body, cure diseases, and improve immunity as well as sexual functions;
Ren Meridian/Conception Vessel Meridian (running in the middle of the front) and Du Meridian/Governing Vessel Meridian (running along the spine at the back and up to top of the head).
ii. Various pains are instantaneously relieved, for instance pain in the gall bladder, liver, neck, back, hip, legs, knees, feet, head, menstrual pain, etc.;
iii. It has significant efficacy on those with chronic diseases and hard-to-diagnose diseases, which include hypertension, heart diseases, prostatitis, diabetes, liver, kidney, stomach and skin diseases, piles, constipation, stroke sequelae, and so on;
iv. “Side effects” of Lajin in reclining position can include beauty enhancement, increase in height, weight loss, fading freckles and wrinkles as well as disappearance of acne. Middle-aged people and youngsters may experience increase in height after Lajin; whereas the most striking effects are seen in the elderly, as most of them suffer from tightened tendons and are hunchbacked.
v. There is still no telling exactly how many diseases can be treated through practicing Lajin in reclining position. The list above is a summary of the feedback from readers who practice Lajin on their own.
2. Lajin in squatting position (see Figure 3)
Figure 3. Squatting lajin
This is the oldest natural Lajin position; and the number of meridians it acts on exceeds that of the reclining position.
This position is simple: Just squat down on the ground for 5 - 40 minutes. Beginners may find squatting with feet spread apart easier to approach. The level of difficulty can be gradually increased by squatting with the feet placed closer together. For even better effects, try to squat as low as possible, hold your arms
around the knees and lower your head. This is also known as the “baby hugging” posture, which is similar to the posture of a baby in the womb. The level of difficulty and efficacy are also increased when squatting with bare feet.
Chinese people used to do many things squatting down; they eat, chat, even hold meetings in this squatting Lajin position, as can be traced in many old movies. However, impacted by waves of modernization, even squat toilets are replaced by seated ones. The seated toilet may appear to offer more comfort, yet it actually deprives people of the chance to do some natural Lajin.
In turn, it contributes to the rise in the number of people with lower back and leg pains, and finding it difficult to squat down. That is why I strongly urge architects and real estate developers to immediately restore the squat toilet to cut costs and to help save billions of dollars in medical expenses. It is also very beneficial if squatting can be incorporated into activities of daily life.
Benefits of Lajin in squatting position:
i. It enables a great part of the body and a good number of acupoints to be stretched. It perfectly complements the reclining position, in that tendons not fully stretched in reclining position are fully stretched by squatting down. Tightened tendons at the following areas are stretched: heels, ankles, calves, knees, hips, Sacroiliac joints, caudal vertebra, lower back, chest, back, shoulders, and neck. Stretching these parts will clear all major meridians in the body; blood circulation and peristalsis of large and small intestines are also stimulated. This Lajin position is a typical “carpet bombing” strategy;
ii. Improvement is made in most known diseases, such as hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, gynaecological disorders, prostate diseases, constipation, piles, gastroenteritis, various types of lower back and leg pains, various types of arthritis, and so on;
iii. For people in a sub-health condition, it is a very beneficial method of health maintenance.
3. Lajin in standing position (see Figure 4)
Figure 4
i. Stand in a door-frame, raise both arms to hold the sides, and stretch the arms as much as possible;
ii. Place one foot forward to do a bow step, and place the other foot behind to straighten it as much as possible. Keep the heels on the ground;
iii. Keep the upper body parallel to the door-frame, with head raised and eyes looking straight ahead;
iv. Stay in this position for 5 - 8 minutes, and then switch legs.
Benefits of Lajin in standing position:
It acts on the meridians around the scapular, shoulders, back and legs, primarily on such diseases as neck and shoulder pains, frozen shoulder, back pain, mammary gland diseases, hyperthyrosis, and lung diseases. The bladder meridian at the back of the calves is also stretched.
4. Lajin in horizontal position (see Figures 5 - 6)
⇩Figure 5. L-shape
⇩ Figure 6. V-shape
Lie on the ground or on a bed, with one leg held down by another person, spread the other leg horizontally as long as the pain is tolerable. Stay in this position for 3 - 30 minutes, and then switch legs. (see Figure 5)
Also, you can lie on a bed with the buttocks pressed against the wall, raise your legs and spread them as far apart as possible, in a posture similar to the capital letter “Y”. Stay in this position for 3 - 30 minutes. (see Figure 6)
Benefits of Lajin in horizontal position:
This position can be used to complement the reclining position, in case pain in the lower back or sacrum still persists after practicing the reclining position. It helps to stretch and unclog the liver, spleen and kidney meridians, and to treat related diseases.
5. Neck stretching position (see Figure 7)
Figure 7. ⇧
Lie face up on a bed, a Lajin bench or chairs, move your head off the edge and let it hang down naturally, put your arms behind your head and stretch as much as possible. Maintain this position for 5– 8 minutes. By hanging down part of the chest vertebrae from the edge of a bed or a bench, diseases related to the chest vertebrae, heart or lungs can be alleviated.
Benefits of neck stretching position:
This position is practiced primarily to treat diseases related to the neck vertebrae, shoulders, the upper back, and the chest vertebrae. Examples of related diseases are neck stiffness, humpback, chest tightness, headaches, dizziness, heart and cerebrovascular diseases, mammary gland proliferation, thyroid gland diseases, asthma, frozen shoulder, etc.
6. Lajin during sleep (see Figure 8)
Figure 8
It is also known as the method of “vertebrae alignment during sleep”; it is practiced by sleeping on a wooden bed or a hard mattress, preferably without a pillow. This is equivalent to pulling and realigning all the bones in the vertebrae. It can be practiced by sleeping in any posture. As the head tends to be leaning forward for prolonged periods of time when we are working, the posture will cause pain and discomfort in the neck vertebrae. Practicing this reverses the direction of gravity on the neck; it is a gentle but effective Lajin method. Those used to sleeping on a pillow will get accustomed to it after a few nights’ practice.
Many people, after gaining instantaneous effects from this method, may find their problems reoccurring later on. One of the reasons is that they have not changed their habits; they still sit in soft couches or sleep on soft mattresses when they return home. Sitting and sleeping on mats or wooden beds are traditional Chinese practices that are unfortunately no longer popular. However, these traditions are still very much alive and well in Japanese and Korean cultures.
Some may complain that sleeping on a hard bed causes them pain. However, it is actually performing Lajin during the process, as the bed does not adjust itself to the dislocated, sunken, or crooked joints or vertebrae, but acts against body weight in a natural, automatic manner to realign the bones.
Benefits of Lajin during sleep:
Firstly, it is a natural, safe, and DIY Lajin method; Lajin happens naturally during sleep, and the force comes from body weight. Minor vertebrae dislocations can be realigned by sticking to sleeping on hard beds;
Secondly, it is a simple method of diagnosis to locate the nidus of a disease, which normally lies where the pain is felt. The reason why antique Chinese furniture is designed with straight and flat surfaces is so that whoever sitting on them will keep the body straight, enabling Lajin to happen naturally. People who watch television or chat while curling in comfortable couches and soft beds for long periods of time are more likely to have slouched backs, weak backs and knees, dislocations of bones, tightening of tendons, and also clogged meridians. In meditation practice, one of the requirements is to sit straight, as it helps to keep bones aligned and tendons supple. This will eventually help to clear meridians.
If hard beds are not available, simply sleep on the ground. The sleeping hours is the time when we absorb Qi from the earth; sleeping on the ground, especially on the ground floor, is thus more healthful. In short, sleeping and sitting on hard surfaces is Lajin and bone alignment in progress.
Lajin duration and intensity
It is not possible to set an absolute standard for Lajin duration and intensity as each person differs in his physique, age and condition. Duration and intensity are relative concepts; patients and the elderly cannot be expected to stretch in perfect posture at the first attempt. What is important in Lajin is to stretch until pain, numbness, soreness and swelling pains are felt. Efficacy of Lajin is proportionate to the amount of pain felt.
Evidences from a large number of clinical practices indicate that
Lajin efficacy is better if practiced in duration of 20 minutes or more. The efficacy of a 20-minute Lajin session is better than two 10-minute sessions; the number of disorders treated is also greater with longer duration. If one’s condition is severe, he/she will feel tremendous pain after just a couple of minutes on the Lajin bench. In such cases, the duration and intensity of Lajin should be increased more slowly. As for those who practice yoga or dance regularly, 10 minutes of Lajin won’t be any challenge, but if the duration of Lajin for each leg is extended to 30 - 40 minutes, sensations like numbness, soreness, pain, belching, farting, bowel movement, sweating, etc. will be felt. These are good reactions of “Qì Chōng Bìng Zào”, which indicate that treatment is under way. Thus, Lajin should be continued, and preferably can be combined with Paida for better efficacy.
My mother is over 70 years old, and she had suffered from a number of diseases, including hypertension, heart disease, kidney disorders, lower back and leg pain, and cataracts. For the past 20 years or so, she had been taking anti-hypertensive drugs, heart medication and other drugs. But now she has abandoned them all. With perseverance, she practices daily at least 30 minutes of Lajin for each leg, and Paida for more than two hours. Now her health readings are all back to normal. As she has been a doctor of Western medicine for several decades, you can imagine it took a while before she changed her mind-set.
It should be noted that Lajin duration is counted only after sensations like pain, numbness, soreness, swelling pain, and tightness are felt. If one stops stretching after experiencing a little pain or numbness, or just lie comfortably on a Lajin bench or chairs without straightening the raised leg, how could it possibly work? According to the female owner of a beauty salon, Lajin in reclining position combined with proper breathing and arms stretched as far back as possible, is notably beneficial to overweight women with sagging breasts, as such posture alters the direction of gravity on the breasts.
Other than alleviating lower back and leg pains, Lajin helps people who practice meditation to sit cross-legged with greater ease. A disciple of Master Nan Huaijin read about the incredible efficacy of Lajin in my book Journey to Cure (Chinese title:《医行天下》, pinyin: yī xíng tiān xià) and reported it to Master Nan. Since then, Lajin has been enthusiastically embraced at the Taihu Academy where Nan teaches traditional Chinese culture. It is a pity that Paida self-healing technique had not yet been included in the book then, otherwise I believe it would have been adopted as well. Now, Paida and Lajin self-healing techniques are being practiced in an increasing number of hospitals, beauty salons, yoga schools, Buddhist and Taoist temples, meditation and health centres.
What are the diagnostic and self-healing properties of Lajin?
In addition to its therapeutic functions, Lajin can also help in diagnosis. Physical illnesses can be diagnosed from Lajin posture and self healed in the course of Lajin practice.
Take the following for instance:
1. If there is knee pain and the knees cannot be straightened, these are symptoms of Jin-Suo. This indicates that the liver meridian (the channel related to liver) is clogged, because liver governs Jin. Obstructed liver meridian will certainly affect the stomach and the spleen. This is because the liver (which has the properties of wood) negatively impacts the spleen (which has the properties of earth);
2. If there is pain in the back of the knees, it indicates that the urinary bladder meridian is clogged, and that the lower back has problems, which may be caused by back vertebrae and/or kidney malfunctioning. This is because the functions of the urinary bladder and the kidneys are closely related — both with the properties of water — and one organ cannot stay healthy if the other is not. Diseases caused by urinary bladder meridian clogs include edema, obesity, frequent urination, diabetes, and so on;
3. During Lajin in reclining position, if the raised hands and arms cannot rest on the surface of the bench, this may indicate risks of frozen shoulder, and it contributes to diseases of the heart, lung, head, five sense organs (ears, eyes, lips, nose and tongue) and breasts;
4. If the raised leg cannot stretch straight and the lowered leg hangs in the air without touching the ground, it suggests that Jin-Suo
is severe, the liver, spleen and kidney meridians are clogged, and that there is lower back and knee pain, and even numerous problems with vital organs of the body. Women with these symptoms may have gynaecological disorders, whereas men may have prostate problems.
Will Lajin cause damage to Jin or muscles?
https://www.scribd.com/document/292825535/E-Dao-Manual-of-Pai-Da-and-La-Jin-SelHealing-Techniquesf
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