Section III Lajin (Page 66 of 204)
What is Lajin?
Lajin (拉筋; pinyin: lā jīn): La, to stretch; Jin, tendons and ligaments. To put it simply, Lajin is to do a simple and effective exercise to stretch the tendons and ligaments that connect the skeleton and organs in the body. It helps to make the tendons flexible, remove meridian blockages, and enable smooth Qi and blood flow. Persistent practice heals various contraction-induced diseases, including the most obvious pains that affect the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs.
While Lajin, compared with medication and acupuncture, is not widely practiced as a major therapy, various stretching exercises have long been existent in yoga, sports, Taoism, Kungfu, Qi Gong, and Chinese medicine.
How does Lajin work?
A baby has strong Yang energy and a very soft body. As a person ages, the body gets stiffer, the tendons get shorter and the Yang energy gradually declines. In old age, a person becomes hunchbacked and thus shorter. When a person is dead, the Yang energy is used up and the body is completely stiff. The same is
true with animals and plants. Green branches and leaves are tender, flexible, and exuberant; withered ones are hard, fragile, and lifeless. Flexibility indicates abundant Yang energy; stiffness signals weak Yang energy.
The importance of having flexible Jin is reflected in these Chinese adages:
“Where the bones are in place and Jin is flexible, Qi and blood will flow smoothly.” “Extending Jin by one inch will prolong life by 10 years.” “A person thrives when Jin is flexible and perishes when Jin contracts.” In order to live a long and healthy life, we should make the tendons softer, longer, and more flexible.
Jin-Suo (tendon stiffness and contraction) may seem to only affect bodily movements; in actual fact, it negatively impacts all internal organs. Our bones, limbs, and internal organs are linked together by tendons, ligaments, and meridians. And the 12 main tendons run alongside the 12 main meridians. Jin-Suo causes meridian blockages and health problems. And it does not occur in certain parts of the body, but in the entire body and throughout a person’s life. Jin-Suo is related to all illnesses; Lajin helps to heal pains and diseases.
The concept of Jin-Suo is yet to be recognized in Western medicine. Many people with diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases are still being treated through control of indicators like blood glucose or blood pressure levels; the root causes remain undetected or are overlooked even after years of treatment.
Such causes can be easily revealed through Lajin; and when combined with Paida, they can be diagnosed more accurately. Many pains are caused by Jin-Suo, which can be instantly relieved by doing Lajin. As the therapy is generally not known, nor adopted by medical professionals, medication and surgery are used instead to suppress the symptoms.
It is commonly believed that when a person complains of pain, stretching needs to be stopped so as not to injure the bones and tendons. However, it is precisely because of tightened tendons that stretching is needed to avoid further tightening. Lajin removes blockages and alleviates the pain, for “no pains, no blockages.”
It should be noted that Lajin duration and intensity is to be gradually increased. It will have a better effect when Lajin is combined with Paida, proper diet, and/or other natural therapies. Daily Lajin is one of the best fitness exercises.
How do I detect Jin-Suo?
If your body manifests one or several of the following eight symptoms, then you are suffering from Jin-Suo:
https://imgv2-2-f.scribdassets.com/img/document/343171433/original/ae72c56fb3/1513367510?v=1
[Test 1] [Test 2] [Test 3] [Test 4]
[Test 5] [Test 6] [Test 7] [Test 8]
[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 strides? Do you find it increasingly difficult?
[Test 3] Can you bend from the waist easily?
Each time, bending becomes increasingly difficult 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 realized it?”
[Test 6] Can you stretch and bend the arms?
Try holding the rings on a bus or train.
[Test 7] Can you stretch your legs in a seated posture?
“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?
Flexible Jin contributes to good health. Once Jin becomes stiff and
shrinks, the body will manifest one or several of the following symptoms:
Neck pain and stiffness
Lumbar pain and stiffness
Inability to bend down
Back pain and stiffness
Leg pain and paralysis
Inability to squat
Uneven legs or short steps
Radiating pain in the heels
Stressed tendons at the hip joints
Inability to raise the thighs forward or sideways
Difficulty in turning around
Contraction of muscles
Inability to extend or bend the elbows
Pain, numbness, swelling sensation, or inflexibility in the arms, legs, elbows and knees
Signs of Jin-Suo: Legs curling, lowered leg cannot touch the ground, arms cannot rest on the Lajin bench
Lajin is both precise diagnosis and self-healing in action.
What problems are related to Jin-Suo?
Apart from those mentioned above, Jin-Suo also contributes to the
following problems:
Excretory disorders, such as hemorrhoids, prostate disorders, urinary blockage, urgent, frequent, or involuntary urination.
Reproductive disorders, such as menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, ovarian cysts, uterine flesh tumors, or infertility in women; impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, or decreased libido in men.
Inexplicable pains of internal organs, including stomach pain, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, children’s belly pain, etc.
Cold, pains, numbness, and swelling sensation in hands and feet.
Cardiovascular disorders and cerebrovascular diseases, such as
hypertension, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat.
Liver and gall bladder disorders, such as Type A hepatitis, Type B
hepatitis, Type C hepatitis, and inflammation of the gall bladder.
Skin diseases, such as psoriasis, neurodermatitis, and allergic dermatitis.
Diabetes.
Stroke sequelae.
Seven common Lajin postures and their effects
Figure 1: Lajin in reclining posture
Figure 2: Lajin in squatting posture
Figure 3: Lajin on a stand board
Figure 4: Lajin in standing posture
Figure 5: Lajin in Y-shape posture
Figure 6: Neck Lajin
Figure 7: Lajin during sleep
1. Lajin in reclining posture
This is the safest and most comprehensive Lajin exercise. It stretches the most tendons and ligaments and dredges all meridians in the body, though to varying degrees. Do it on a specially made Lajin bench.
Standard posture (see Figure 1): Lie flat on a Lajin bench, with both arms stretched straight backward, close to the ears and on the bench; the raised leg should be parallel to the pole and secured onto the pole with a strap just above the knee; the foot of the raised leg should be at a 90-degree angle with the pole and turned slightly inward; the buttocks, the back of the knee, and the heel of the raised leg should be pressed against the pole, with hip joints on both sides flat on the bench; the entire sole of the lowered foot should be on the ground; move the legs closer together; add sandbags or other weights to both feet and hands so as to increase the intensity. Stay in this posture and stretch for 10-40 minutes, then switch legs. When sore, numb, painful, and swelling sensations are felt, continue Lajin, for that is when it is taking effect. The effect of Lajin can be determined from the facial expressions of whoever is on the Lajin bench—the more painful the expressions are, the better the healing effect is. Of course, it should be kept within the person’s pain tolerance.
A beginner may not be able to stretch in the standard posture because of tendon stiffness and contraction. This is normal. Do it as a daily exercise and gradually increase the duration and intensity of Lajin. Many pains and diseases will be relieved and eventually healed during this process.
In the absence of a Lajin bench, use chairs to
stretch by a wall or doorframe. However, it is only a temporary substitute. The disadvantages of using chairs are: lying on chairs is not as safe, even, and comfortable as on a Lajin bench; the raised leg cannot be strapped onto the wall or doorframe; the height and structure of chairs may vary, resulting in discounted Lajin effect. Some people, after practicing Lajin on chairs for quite a while, did not feel much improvement. But once they switched to the Lajin bench, the healing effect was significantly enhanced.
Benefits of Lajin in reclining posture:
1. All meridians are directly or indirectly dredged, particularly the Heart, Pericardium, Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Gall Bladder and Urinary Bladder meridians. This helps to detoxify, heal diseases, and improve immune and sexual functions.
2. Pains are instantly relieved, for instance, pains in the head, neck, back, waist, hips, legs, knees, feet, liver, stomach, gall bladder, and menstrual pain.
3. It significantly improves chronic and critical
diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland), skin, liver, kidney, and stomach diseases, hemorrhoids, constipation, stroke sequelae, and so on.
4. Its “by-products” include increases in height,
weight loss, beauty, fading freckles and wrinkles, as well as the disappearance of acne. Young and middle-aged people may experience an increase in height after Lajin; and the most striking improvement is seen in the elderly, as many of them suffer from shrunk tendons and are hunchbacked.
5. According to some female owners of beauty salons, Lajin in a reclining posture combined with proper breathing and arms stretched as far back as possible, has a visible effect on overweight women with sagging breasts.
6. In addition to healing lower back and leg pains, persistent Lajin helps a meditator sit cross-legged more easily.
7. There is still no telling exactly how many diseases can be improved by practicing Lajin in a reclining posture. The list above is a summary of the feedback from people who practice it on their own.
2. Lajin in squatting posture
This is the oldest natural stretching exercise, and
it clears multiple meridians along the legs and feet, including the Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Stomach, Gall Bladder, and Urinary Bladder meridians. The parts most stretched are heels, ankles, calves, knees, buttocks, and waist. The bent knees, hips, and waist are a good massage for the internal organs.
Simply squat down on the ground for 5–40 minutes. See Figure 2.
Beginners may find it easier to squat with feet spread apart. The level of difficulty increases when the feet are closer together. For best effects, try to squat as low as possible, put the feet together, lower your head and hold your arms around the knees. It is also known as “baby hugging,” similar to the posture of a baby in its mother’s womb. It is more difficult to squat with bare feet, and the effect is also better.
Chinese people used to do many things squatting down: they ate, chatted, and even held meetings in this posture, as can be spotted in many old movies. Yet, influenced by waves of modernization, even squat toilets have been replaced by seated ones. Passing stool using a squat toilet is the most natural way—it clears meridian blockages, and massages the intestines and internal organs, contributing to a better bowel movement. The seated toilet may look graceful and comfortable, yet it deprives us of the chance
to do some natural massage and stretching. No
wonder more and more people now have lower
back and leg pains, and find it difficult to squat
down.
Benefits of Lajin in squatting posture:
1. It is a typical “carpet bombing” exercise: Tendons not (fully) stretched in the reclining posture are fully stretched by squatting down. Tightened tendons at the following regions are being stretched: heels, ankles, calves, knees, hips, hip joints, tail bone, waist, back, chest, shoulders, and neck. It helps to stimulate bowel movement, enhance Qi and blood circulation, and clear all major meridians in the body.
2. It helps to improve most known diseases, such as hemorrhoids, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, constipation, gastroenteritis, heart disease, prostate disorders, gynecological disorders, lower back and leg pains, and so on.
3. For people in a “sub-health” condition, it is a
very good fitness exercise.
3. Lajin on a stand board
Stand on a sloping stand board with graded levels of difficulty, raise the toes, try to stand straight and keep your balance. It’s best to hold hands high above the head; you can also place them behind the back, or let them hang down naturally (see Figure 3). Stand in this posture for 10–60 minutes. People with severe meridian blockages and thus grave illnesses can feel more sore, numb, painful, and swelling sensations in the beginning. And they may find it hard to stand straight and need to tilt the hips back to keep balance. With more practice, the buttocks will go back to their normal positions and they will be able to stretch longer. Then the level of difficulty can be increased. This Lajin posture stretches almost all major tendons and meridians from the feet, up to the calves, buttocks, waist and kidneys, especially those along the soles, heels, ankles, back of feet, and calves.
Benefits of Lajin on a stand board:
As a person ages, the legs will show signs of aging first. Three Yin and three Yang meridians run along the feet and legs. These meridians are most susceptible to cold, and are blocked the earliest. And many toxins and wastes are deposited on the feet because of gravity. Stretching on a Lajin stand board is a thorough cleaning of the many meridians and acupoints on the feet and the calves, which cannot be stretched well in other Lajin postures. It can help relieve foot pain, leg pain, waist pain, and various chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, prostate disorders, liver and kidney problems, stroke, cancer, and more.
The Lajin stand board is very small, and it takes very little space. It is a very convenient tool for health preservation, both at home and in the office. Some people stand on the board chatting, reading, watching TV, or even working on a computer and doing other office work.
4. Lajin in standing posture
Stand in a suitable doorframe, raise the hands to hold the sides of it, and stretch the arms as much as possible. Place one foot forward to do a bow step, and straighten the other foot behind as much as possible. Keep the heels on the ground. Keep the upper body parallel to the doorframe, with head erect and eyes looking straight ahead (see Figure 4). Do this for 5–8 minutes, and then switch legs.
Benefits of Lajin in standing posture:
Lajin in a standing posture acts on the meridians around the shoulders, back and legs, primarily on such diseases as neck pain, frozen shoulder, back pain, mammary gland diseases, hyperthyroidism, and lung diseases. The Urinary Bladder meridian at the back of the calves is also stretched.
5. Lajin in Y-shape posture
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 posture for 3–30 minutes, and then switch legs.
Also, you can lie on a bed or a mat 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 posture for 3–30 minutes (see Figure 5).
Benefits of Lajin in Y-shape posture:
1. Try Lajin in Y-shape posture in case pain in the lower back and sacrum still persists after Lajin in reclining posture.
2. It is a powerful way to dredge the Liver, Spleen
and Kidney meridians along the inner side of each
leg, and to enhance functions of the three
corresponding organs.
3. It can make the legs slimmer.
6. Neck Lajin
Lie flat on a bed, chairs or a Lajin bench, move your head, neck, and upper part of the shoulders off the edge, let them hang down naturally, and stretch your arms as far backward as possible (see Figure 6). Stay in this posture for 5–8 minutes.
Benefits of neck Lajin:
It is practiced primarily to relieve diseases related to the neck vertebrae, shoulders, the upper back, and the chest vertebrae, diseases with the five-sense organs, particularly headaches, dizziness, asthma, rhinitis, cataract, glaucoma, blindness or other eye diseases, humpback, neck stiffness, chest tightness, frozen shoulder, thyroid gland diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and hyperplasia of mammary glands. As the head is hanging in the air in an inverted posture, more Qi and blood flow to the brain, eyes, nose and ears, thus healing diseases on the head and face. By hanging down part of the chest vertebrae in this posture, diseases related to the chest vertebrae, heart, and lungs can be alleviated.
Reminder:
For people with dizziness, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is advisable to do this exercise gradually.
7. Lajin during sleep
It is also known as “bone setting during sleep.” Sleep on a hard bed or a hard mattress, preferably without a pillow (see Figure 7). This will stretch your neck and entire spine, and realign your bones. It can be practiced by sleeping in any posture. Because your head tends to lean forward for a long time when working, neck problems arise. Lajin during sleep reverses the direction of gravity on the neck. It is a gentle yet effective Lajin exercise. If you always use a pillow, you may need a few nights to get used to it.
Many people, after gaining instant effects from Lajin or bone setting, may find their pains and diseases reoccurring later on. One reason is that they have not changed their habit—they still sit in soft couches or sleep on soft mattresses. Sitting and sleeping on mats or wooden beds are traditional Chinese practices that are unfortunately no longer popular in China. However, these traditions are still very much alive and well in Korean and Japanese cultures.
Some may complain that sleeping on a hard bed
causes them pain. However, they are benefiting
from both Lajin and bone setting, as the hard bed
does not adjust itself to the dislocated, sunken,
or crooked joints or vertebrae, but acts against
the body weight in a natural manner to realign
the bones.
If a hard bed is not available, simply sleep on the ground (note that it should not be cold and damp). Sleeping is when we absorb energy from the Earth. Sleeping on the ground, especially on the ground floor, is thus more healthful. In short, sitting and sleeping on hard surfaces is natural stretching and bone setting.
Benefits of Lajin during sleep:
1. It is a safe and natural self-help exercise. Stretching happens naturally during sleep, and the force comes from the body weight. Make it a habit, and minor vertebrae dislocations can be realigned naturally.
2. It is a simple diagnostic method to locate health problems: where there is pain, there is probably a health problem.
Why was antique Chinese furniture square-shaped? Because it enabled a person using them to keep the body straight and stretch naturally. People who watch TV or chat while curling in comfortable couches or soft beds for long periods of time are more likely to have a hunched back, waist pain, knee pain, dislocations of bones, stiff tendons, and blocked 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.
Will Lajin cause damage to tendons and muscles?
No. Lajin is a natural, rational, self-help exercise. You can adjust the duration and intensity so as not to injure yourself from overstretching; you can never damage the tendons, ligaments, or muscles by practicing Lajin. Beginners, those with critical diseases, and the elderly need not stretch too much in the beginning, but should gradually increase the duration and intensity.
Pain, numbness, soreness, swelling sensations,
and other reactions indicate that Qi and blood
cannot flow smoothly in the body, so it requires
Lajin practice to facilitate their smooth flow.
Some people say their tendons have been stiff since childhood. In fact, stiff tendons sound an alarm against physical disorders, indicating that something is wrong with the liver, as your liver governs the tendons. These people should practice Lajin more so than others.
If you do not feel any pain, numbness, or swelling sensations however much time or whatever Lajin exercise you practice, it suggests that your bones are in place and your tendons are flexible, thus Qi and blood can flow naturally. In that case, you do not need to practice Lajin any longer.
Lajin duration and intensity
It is not possible to set an absolute standard for
Lajin duration and intensity because each person
differs in age, physique, and health condition.
Patients and the elderly cannot be expected to
stretch in a standard posture at the first attempt.
What is important is to stretch until sore, numb,
painful, and swelling sensations are felt. The
stronger the sensations are, the better the
effect of Lajin is. Otherwise, it is of low or no
effect.
Countless clinical evidence shows that the healing effect is greater if Lajin is practiced for up to 20 minutes. The effect of a 20-minute Lajin session is better than two 10-minute sessions; the effect is even better when doing Lajin in reclining posture with 7–22 lb. sandbags on each leg.
Some people feel excruciating pain soon after they get on the Lajin bench, revealing severe health problems with them. These people need to persist in Lajin, and gradually stretch longer and with more weights. For those who practice yoga or dance regularly, 10 minutes of Lajin is no big challenge; however, if the duration of Lajin for each leg is extended to 30-40 minutes, sore, numb, painful or swelling sensations, sweating, farting, belching, bowel movements, or other sensations will be felt. These are good healing reactions, indicating that it is taking effect. Thus, Lajin should be continued, and it is better to do Paida as well.
The record time of Lajin in reclining posture is
two hours a day—stretching each leg for one
hour and with 22 lb. sandbags on each leg. The
result of this intensive practice is that the man’s
gout, hypertension, and heart disease have been
self-healed, and all medicines were stopped.
It should be noted that Lajin duration is counted only after the sensations of pain, swelling, soreness, numbness, and tightness are felt. This is when the self-healing mechanism works best. It is no use stretching for a long time if you feel none of these sensations. If you stop stretching after feeling a little pain or numbness, or just lie comfortably on chairs or on a Lajin bench without straightening the raised leg, how could it
possibly work? Chairs or other tools can be used
as temporary substitutes for doing Lajin in
reclining posture. However, the effect is much
discounted compared with stretching on a
standard Lajin bench. And there is a safety
concern. Therefore, we strongly advise using the
Lajin bench.
A few things to note about Lajin
1. When practicing Lajin outdoors, avoid wind and chills; when practicing it indoors, avoid direct wind from electric fans or air conditioners. Sweating during Lajin is beneficial, and it is NOT necessary to cool down deliberately. The waist and knees should never be exposed because the body is relaxed and pores are opened up during Lajin. It is best to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to stay warm, particularly when the air-conditioner is on; otherwise, the cold may enter through the open pores, affect the joints, and induce more diseases.
2. There is no fixed standard as to how long or how intense a Lajin session should be, which vary according to a person’s age and health condition. The overall principle is that for better and faster effects, stretch with more weights and for a longer time. For people who dance or practice yoga, or have a very flexible body, each leg may be stretched for 30–50 minutes or more.
3. If, in a reclining posture, your sole cannot touch the ground, you can slightly move your lowered leg outward to ease the pain. But once it can touch the ground, move it inward until both legs are close together to avoid splayed feet.
4. People with hypertension, heart disease, the frail, the elderly, and the critically ill should take it more slowly, as the pain induced in Lajin will increase the pulse and blood pressure. Even though these are normal reactions and signs of improvement, it is advisable to gradually increase duration and intensity. A small pillow may be used to prop up the head in order to avoid blood rushing to the brain.
5. If headache, dizziness, pale face, cold sweat, chest tightness, numb and cold limbs, rapid and irregular heartbeat, or other severe healing reactions appear during Lajin, stop for a while and slap heavily on the inner elbows and Neiguan acupoint near the wrists (see Chapter IV, Section I Acute Symptoms). The more pain a person feels during this process, the more necessary it is to continue Paida.
6. Women can practice Lajin at any point of the menstrual cycle. Those suffering from menstrual pain will feel better if Lajin is practiced during their period.
7. Stay attentive when doing Lajin. When pain is felt at different parts of the body during Lajin, do some Paida as well. It will have a greater healing effect. In particular, for those having difficulty in Lajin, slapping the joints, hands, and feet can help relieve the pain felt during Lajin.
Section IV General Principles of PaidaLajin (Click Here)
What is Lajin?
Lajin (拉筋; pinyin: lā jīn): La, to stretch; Jin, tendons and ligaments. To put it simply, Lajin is to do a simple and effective exercise to stretch the tendons and ligaments that connect the skeleton and organs in the body. It helps to make the tendons flexible, remove meridian blockages, and enable smooth Qi and blood flow. Persistent practice heals various contraction-induced diseases, including the most obvious pains that affect the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs.
While Lajin, compared with medication and acupuncture, is not widely practiced as a major therapy, various stretching exercises have long been existent in yoga, sports, Taoism, Kungfu, Qi Gong, and Chinese medicine.
How does Lajin work?
A baby has strong Yang energy and a very soft body. As a person ages, the body gets stiffer, the tendons get shorter and the Yang energy gradually declines. In old age, a person becomes hunchbacked and thus shorter. When a person is dead, the Yang energy is used up and the body is completely stiff. The same is
true with animals and plants. Green branches and leaves are tender, flexible, and exuberant; withered ones are hard, fragile, and lifeless. Flexibility indicates abundant Yang energy; stiffness signals weak Yang energy.
The importance of having flexible Jin is reflected in these Chinese adages:
“Where the bones are in place and Jin is flexible, Qi and blood will flow smoothly.” “Extending Jin by one inch will prolong life by 10 years.” “A person thrives when Jin is flexible and perishes when Jin contracts.” In order to live a long and healthy life, we should make the tendons softer, longer, and more flexible.
Jin-Suo (tendon stiffness and contraction) may seem to only affect bodily movements; in actual fact, it negatively impacts all internal organs. Our bones, limbs, and internal organs are linked together by tendons, ligaments, and meridians. And the 12 main tendons run alongside the 12 main meridians. Jin-Suo causes meridian blockages and health problems. And it does not occur in certain parts of the body, but in the entire body and throughout a person’s life. Jin-Suo is related to all illnesses; Lajin helps to heal pains and diseases.
The concept of Jin-Suo is yet to be recognized in Western medicine. Many people with diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases are still being treated through control of indicators like blood glucose or blood pressure levels; the root causes remain undetected or are overlooked even after years of treatment.
Such causes can be easily revealed through Lajin; and when combined with Paida, they can be diagnosed more accurately. Many pains are caused by Jin-Suo, which can be instantly relieved by doing Lajin. As the therapy is generally not known, nor adopted by medical professionals, medication and surgery are used instead to suppress the symptoms.
It is commonly believed that when a person complains of pain, stretching needs to be stopped so as not to injure the bones and tendons. However, it is precisely because of tightened tendons that stretching is needed to avoid further tightening. Lajin removes blockages and alleviates the pain, for “no pains, no blockages.”
It should be noted that Lajin duration and intensity is to be gradually increased. It will have a better effect when Lajin is combined with Paida, proper diet, and/or other natural therapies. Daily Lajin is one of the best fitness exercises.
How do I detect Jin-Suo?
If your body manifests one or several of the following eight symptoms, then you are suffering from Jin-Suo:
https://imgv2-2-f.scribdassets.com/img/document/343171433/original/ae72c56fb3/1513367510?v=1
[Test 1] [Test 2] [Test 3] [Test 4]
[Test 5] [Test 6] [Test 7] [Test 8]
[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 strides? Do you find it increasingly difficult?
[Test 3] Can you bend from the waist easily?
Each time, bending becomes increasingly difficult 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 realized it?”
[Test 6] Can you stretch and bend the arms?
Try holding the rings on a bus or train.
[Test 7] Can you stretch your legs in a seated posture?
“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?
Flexible Jin contributes to good health. Once Jin becomes stiff and
shrinks, the body will manifest one or several of the following symptoms:
Neck pain and stiffness
Lumbar pain and stiffness
Inability to bend down
Back pain and stiffness
Leg pain and paralysis
Inability to squat
Uneven legs or short steps
Radiating pain in the heels
Stressed tendons at the hip joints
Inability to raise the thighs forward or sideways
Difficulty in turning around
Contraction of muscles
Inability to extend or bend the elbows
Pain, numbness, swelling sensation, or inflexibility in the arms, legs, elbows and knees
Signs of Jin-Suo: Legs curling, lowered leg cannot touch the ground, arms cannot rest on the Lajin bench
Lajin is both precise diagnosis and self-healing in action.
What problems are related to Jin-Suo?
Apart from those mentioned above, Jin-Suo also contributes to the
following problems:
Excretory disorders, such as hemorrhoids, prostate disorders, urinary blockage, urgent, frequent, or involuntary urination.
Reproductive disorders, such as menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, ovarian cysts, uterine flesh tumors, or infertility in women; impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, or decreased libido in men.
Inexplicable pains of internal organs, including stomach pain, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, children’s belly pain, etc.
Cold, pains, numbness, and swelling sensation in hands and feet.
Cardiovascular disorders and cerebrovascular diseases, such as
hypertension, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat.
Liver and gall bladder disorders, such as Type A hepatitis, Type B
hepatitis, Type C hepatitis, and inflammation of the gall bladder.
Skin diseases, such as psoriasis, neurodermatitis, and allergic dermatitis.
Diabetes.
Stroke sequelae.
Seven common Lajin postures and their effects
Figure 1: Lajin in reclining posture
Figure 2: Lajin in squatting posture
Figure 3: Lajin on a stand board
Figure 4: Lajin in standing posture
Figure 5: Lajin in Y-shape posture
Figure 6: Neck Lajin
Figure 7: Lajin during sleep
1. Lajin in reclining posture
This is the safest and most comprehensive Lajin exercise. It stretches the most tendons and ligaments and dredges all meridians in the body, though to varying degrees. Do it on a specially made Lajin bench.
Standard posture (see Figure 1): Lie flat on a Lajin bench, with both arms stretched straight backward, close to the ears and on the bench; the raised leg should be parallel to the pole and secured onto the pole with a strap just above the knee; the foot of the raised leg should be at a 90-degree angle with the pole and turned slightly inward; the buttocks, the back of the knee, and the heel of the raised leg should be pressed against the pole, with hip joints on both sides flat on the bench; the entire sole of the lowered foot should be on the ground; move the legs closer together; add sandbags or other weights to both feet and hands so as to increase the intensity. Stay in this posture and stretch for 10-40 minutes, then switch legs. When sore, numb, painful, and swelling sensations are felt, continue Lajin, for that is when it is taking effect. The effect of Lajin can be determined from the facial expressions of whoever is on the Lajin bench—the more painful the expressions are, the better the healing effect is. Of course, it should be kept within the person’s pain tolerance.
A beginner may not be able to stretch in the standard posture because of tendon stiffness and contraction. This is normal. Do it as a daily exercise and gradually increase the duration and intensity of Lajin. Many pains and diseases will be relieved and eventually healed during this process.
In the absence of a Lajin bench, use chairs to
stretch by a wall or doorframe. However, it is only a temporary substitute. The disadvantages of using chairs are: lying on chairs is not as safe, even, and comfortable as on a Lajin bench; the raised leg cannot be strapped onto the wall or doorframe; the height and structure of chairs may vary, resulting in discounted Lajin effect. Some people, after practicing Lajin on chairs for quite a while, did not feel much improvement. But once they switched to the Lajin bench, the healing effect was significantly enhanced.
Benefits of Lajin in reclining posture:
1. All meridians are directly or indirectly dredged, particularly the Heart, Pericardium, Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Gall Bladder and Urinary Bladder meridians. This helps to detoxify, heal diseases, and improve immune and sexual functions.
2. Pains are instantly relieved, for instance, pains in the head, neck, back, waist, hips, legs, knees, feet, liver, stomach, gall bladder, and menstrual pain.
3. It significantly improves chronic and critical
diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland), skin, liver, kidney, and stomach diseases, hemorrhoids, constipation, stroke sequelae, and so on.
4. Its “by-products” include increases in height,
weight loss, beauty, fading freckles and wrinkles, as well as the disappearance of acne. Young and middle-aged people may experience an increase in height after Lajin; and the most striking improvement is seen in the elderly, as many of them suffer from shrunk tendons and are hunchbacked.
5. According to some female owners of beauty salons, Lajin in a reclining posture combined with proper breathing and arms stretched as far back as possible, has a visible effect on overweight women with sagging breasts.
6. In addition to healing lower back and leg pains, persistent Lajin helps a meditator sit cross-legged more easily.
7. There is still no telling exactly how many diseases can be improved by practicing Lajin in a reclining posture. The list above is a summary of the feedback from people who practice it on their own.
2. Lajin in squatting posture
This is the oldest natural stretching exercise, and
it clears multiple meridians along the legs and feet, including the Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Stomach, Gall Bladder, and Urinary Bladder meridians. The parts most stretched are heels, ankles, calves, knees, buttocks, and waist. The bent knees, hips, and waist are a good massage for the internal organs.
Simply squat down on the ground for 5–40 minutes. See Figure 2.
Beginners may find it easier to squat with feet spread apart. The level of difficulty increases when the feet are closer together. For best effects, try to squat as low as possible, put the feet together, lower your head and hold your arms around the knees. It is also known as “baby hugging,” similar to the posture of a baby in its mother’s womb. It is more difficult to squat with bare feet, and the effect is also better.
Chinese people used to do many things squatting down: they ate, chatted, and even held meetings in this posture, as can be spotted in many old movies. Yet, influenced by waves of modernization, even squat toilets have been replaced by seated ones. Passing stool using a squat toilet is the most natural way—it clears meridian blockages, and massages the intestines and internal organs, contributing to a better bowel movement. The seated toilet may look graceful and comfortable, yet it deprives us of the chance
to do some natural massage and stretching. No
wonder more and more people now have lower
back and leg pains, and find it difficult to squat
down.
Benefits of Lajin in squatting posture:
1. It is a typical “carpet bombing” exercise: Tendons not (fully) stretched in the reclining posture are fully stretched by squatting down. Tightened tendons at the following regions are being stretched: heels, ankles, calves, knees, hips, hip joints, tail bone, waist, back, chest, shoulders, and neck. It helps to stimulate bowel movement, enhance Qi and blood circulation, and clear all major meridians in the body.
2. It helps to improve most known diseases, such as hemorrhoids, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, constipation, gastroenteritis, heart disease, prostate disorders, gynecological disorders, lower back and leg pains, and so on.
3. For people in a “sub-health” condition, it is a
very good fitness exercise.
3. Lajin on a stand board
Stand on a sloping stand board with graded levels of difficulty, raise the toes, try to stand straight and keep your balance. It’s best to hold hands high above the head; you can also place them behind the back, or let them hang down naturally (see Figure 3). Stand in this posture for 10–60 minutes. People with severe meridian blockages and thus grave illnesses can feel more sore, numb, painful, and swelling sensations in the beginning. And they may find it hard to stand straight and need to tilt the hips back to keep balance. With more practice, the buttocks will go back to their normal positions and they will be able to stretch longer. Then the level of difficulty can be increased. This Lajin posture stretches almost all major tendons and meridians from the feet, up to the calves, buttocks, waist and kidneys, especially those along the soles, heels, ankles, back of feet, and calves.
Benefits of Lajin on a stand board:
As a person ages, the legs will show signs of aging first. Three Yin and three Yang meridians run along the feet and legs. These meridians are most susceptible to cold, and are blocked the earliest. And many toxins and wastes are deposited on the feet because of gravity. Stretching on a Lajin stand board is a thorough cleaning of the many meridians and acupoints on the feet and the calves, which cannot be stretched well in other Lajin postures. It can help relieve foot pain, leg pain, waist pain, and various chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, prostate disorders, liver and kidney problems, stroke, cancer, and more.
The Lajin stand board is very small, and it takes very little space. It is a very convenient tool for health preservation, both at home and in the office. Some people stand on the board chatting, reading, watching TV, or even working on a computer and doing other office work.
4. Lajin in standing posture
Stand in a suitable doorframe, raise the hands to hold the sides of it, and stretch the arms as much as possible. Place one foot forward to do a bow step, and straighten the other foot behind as much as possible. Keep the heels on the ground. Keep the upper body parallel to the doorframe, with head erect and eyes looking straight ahead (see Figure 4). Do this for 5–8 minutes, and then switch legs.
Benefits of Lajin in standing posture:
Lajin in a standing posture acts on the meridians around the shoulders, back and legs, primarily on such diseases as neck pain, frozen shoulder, back pain, mammary gland diseases, hyperthyroidism, and lung diseases. The Urinary Bladder meridian at the back of the calves is also stretched.
5. Lajin in Y-shape posture
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 posture for 3–30 minutes, and then switch legs.
Also, you can lie on a bed or a mat 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 posture for 3–30 minutes (see Figure 5).
Benefits of Lajin in Y-shape posture:
1. Try Lajin in Y-shape posture in case pain in the lower back and sacrum still persists after Lajin in reclining posture.
2. It is a powerful way to dredge the Liver, Spleen
and Kidney meridians along the inner side of each
leg, and to enhance functions of the three
corresponding organs.
3. It can make the legs slimmer.
6. Neck Lajin
Lie flat on a bed, chairs or a Lajin bench, move your head, neck, and upper part of the shoulders off the edge, let them hang down naturally, and stretch your arms as far backward as possible (see Figure 6). Stay in this posture for 5–8 minutes.
Benefits of neck Lajin:
It is practiced primarily to relieve diseases related to the neck vertebrae, shoulders, the upper back, and the chest vertebrae, diseases with the five-sense organs, particularly headaches, dizziness, asthma, rhinitis, cataract, glaucoma, blindness or other eye diseases, humpback, neck stiffness, chest tightness, frozen shoulder, thyroid gland diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and hyperplasia of mammary glands. As the head is hanging in the air in an inverted posture, more Qi and blood flow to the brain, eyes, nose and ears, thus healing diseases on the head and face. By hanging down part of the chest vertebrae in this posture, diseases related to the chest vertebrae, heart, and lungs can be alleviated.
Reminder:
For people with dizziness, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is advisable to do this exercise gradually.
7. Lajin during sleep
It is also known as “bone setting during sleep.” Sleep on a hard bed or a hard mattress, preferably without a pillow (see Figure 7). This will stretch your neck and entire spine, and realign your bones. It can be practiced by sleeping in any posture. Because your head tends to lean forward for a long time when working, neck problems arise. Lajin during sleep reverses the direction of gravity on the neck. It is a gentle yet effective Lajin exercise. If you always use a pillow, you may need a few nights to get used to it.
Many people, after gaining instant effects from Lajin or bone setting, may find their pains and diseases reoccurring later on. One reason is that they have not changed their habit—they still sit in soft couches or sleep on soft mattresses. Sitting and sleeping on mats or wooden beds are traditional Chinese practices that are unfortunately no longer popular in China. However, these traditions are still very much alive and well in Korean and Japanese cultures.
Some may complain that sleeping on a hard bed
causes them pain. However, they are benefiting
from both Lajin and bone setting, as the hard bed
does not adjust itself to the dislocated, sunken,
or crooked joints or vertebrae, but acts against
the body weight in a natural manner to realign
the bones.
If a hard bed is not available, simply sleep on the ground (note that it should not be cold and damp). Sleeping is when we absorb energy from the Earth. Sleeping on the ground, especially on the ground floor, is thus more healthful. In short, sitting and sleeping on hard surfaces is natural stretching and bone setting.
Benefits of Lajin during sleep:
1. It is a safe and natural self-help exercise. Stretching happens naturally during sleep, and the force comes from the body weight. Make it a habit, and minor vertebrae dislocations can be realigned naturally.
2. It is a simple diagnostic method to locate health problems: where there is pain, there is probably a health problem.
Why was antique Chinese furniture square-shaped? Because it enabled a person using them to keep the body straight and stretch naturally. People who watch TV or chat while curling in comfortable couches or soft beds for long periods of time are more likely to have a hunched back, waist pain, knee pain, dislocations of bones, stiff tendons, and blocked 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.
Will Lajin cause damage to tendons and muscles?
No. Lajin is a natural, rational, self-help exercise. You can adjust the duration and intensity so as not to injure yourself from overstretching; you can never damage the tendons, ligaments, or muscles by practicing Lajin. Beginners, those with critical diseases, and the elderly need not stretch too much in the beginning, but should gradually increase the duration and intensity.
Pain, numbness, soreness, swelling sensations,
and other reactions indicate that Qi and blood
cannot flow smoothly in the body, so it requires
Lajin practice to facilitate their smooth flow.
Some people say their tendons have been stiff since childhood. In fact, stiff tendons sound an alarm against physical disorders, indicating that something is wrong with the liver, as your liver governs the tendons. These people should practice Lajin more so than others.
If you do not feel any pain, numbness, or swelling sensations however much time or whatever Lajin exercise you practice, it suggests that your bones are in place and your tendons are flexible, thus Qi and blood can flow naturally. In that case, you do not need to practice Lajin any longer.
Lajin duration and intensity
It is not possible to set an absolute standard for
Lajin duration and intensity because each person
differs in age, physique, and health condition.
Patients and the elderly cannot be expected to
stretch in a standard posture at the first attempt.
What is important is to stretch until sore, numb,
painful, and swelling sensations are felt. The
stronger the sensations are, the better the
effect of Lajin is. Otherwise, it is of low or no
effect.
Countless clinical evidence shows that the healing effect is greater if Lajin is practiced for up to 20 minutes. The effect of a 20-minute Lajin session is better than two 10-minute sessions; the effect is even better when doing Lajin in reclining posture with 7–22 lb. sandbags on each leg.
Some people feel excruciating pain soon after they get on the Lajin bench, revealing severe health problems with them. These people need to persist in Lajin, and gradually stretch longer and with more weights. For those who practice yoga or dance regularly, 10 minutes of Lajin is no big challenge; however, if the duration of Lajin for each leg is extended to 30-40 minutes, sore, numb, painful or swelling sensations, sweating, farting, belching, bowel movements, or other sensations will be felt. These are good healing reactions, indicating that it is taking effect. Thus, Lajin should be continued, and it is better to do Paida as well.
The record time of Lajin in reclining posture is
two hours a day—stretching each leg for one
hour and with 22 lb. sandbags on each leg. The
result of this intensive practice is that the man’s
gout, hypertension, and heart disease have been
self-healed, and all medicines were stopped.
It should be noted that Lajin duration is counted only after the sensations of pain, swelling, soreness, numbness, and tightness are felt. This is when the self-healing mechanism works best. It is no use stretching for a long time if you feel none of these sensations. If you stop stretching after feeling a little pain or numbness, or just lie comfortably on chairs or on a Lajin bench without straightening the raised leg, how could it
possibly work? Chairs or other tools can be used
as temporary substitutes for doing Lajin in
reclining posture. However, the effect is much
discounted compared with stretching on a
standard Lajin bench. And there is a safety
concern. Therefore, we strongly advise using the
Lajin bench.
A few things to note about Lajin
1. When practicing Lajin outdoors, avoid wind and chills; when practicing it indoors, avoid direct wind from electric fans or air conditioners. Sweating during Lajin is beneficial, and it is NOT necessary to cool down deliberately. The waist and knees should never be exposed because the body is relaxed and pores are opened up during Lajin. It is best to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to stay warm, particularly when the air-conditioner is on; otherwise, the cold may enter through the open pores, affect the joints, and induce more diseases.
2. There is no fixed standard as to how long or how intense a Lajin session should be, which vary according to a person’s age and health condition. The overall principle is that for better and faster effects, stretch with more weights and for a longer time. For people who dance or practice yoga, or have a very flexible body, each leg may be stretched for 30–50 minutes or more.
3. If, in a reclining posture, your sole cannot touch the ground, you can slightly move your lowered leg outward to ease the pain. But once it can touch the ground, move it inward until both legs are close together to avoid splayed feet.
4. People with hypertension, heart disease, the frail, the elderly, and the critically ill should take it more slowly, as the pain induced in Lajin will increase the pulse and blood pressure. Even though these are normal reactions and signs of improvement, it is advisable to gradually increase duration and intensity. A small pillow may be used to prop up the head in order to avoid blood rushing to the brain.
5. If headache, dizziness, pale face, cold sweat, chest tightness, numb and cold limbs, rapid and irregular heartbeat, or other severe healing reactions appear during Lajin, stop for a while and slap heavily on the inner elbows and Neiguan acupoint near the wrists (see Chapter IV, Section I Acute Symptoms). The more pain a person feels during this process, the more necessary it is to continue Paida.
6. Women can practice Lajin at any point of the menstrual cycle. Those suffering from menstrual pain will feel better if Lajin is practiced during their period.
7. Stay attentive when doing Lajin. When pain is felt at different parts of the body during Lajin, do some Paida as well. It will have a greater healing effect. In particular, for those having difficulty in Lajin, slapping the joints, hands, and feet can help relieve the pain felt during Lajin.
Section IV General Principles of PaidaLajin (Click Here)
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