The Triple Burner – ‘San Jiao’

The ‘Triple Burner’ is a concept found exclusively in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong. It does not have a corresponding organ in the Western Medicine system. It is very well known, however, within the Qi Gong community. It is believed that its function is related to the body fluids, and the transmutation of vital energy between the three burners. The upper burner relates to the organs in the thorax (thymus, heart, lungs), the middle burner relates to the digestive system and the lower burner relates to the organs below the abdomen and the urogenital organs. If the three burners function properly, then all the organs are in balance. The burners connect all the organs to each other.

Balancing the Triple Burner – ‘Monkey Palm’

This palm builds the strength of the Triple Burner system. The palms are held wrist together, facing forwards, in front of your heart area, extending towards the center of the circle (see image below). Keep your elbows relaxed but firm, slightly bent.

It is a special method to correct any imbalance of Yin and Yang in the triple burner meridian. Symptoms: dizziness, tinnitus, upper heat and lower cold, cold hands and feet, fatigue, irritability, skin allergies, muscle and joint pain, weakness and loss of appetite.

Direction: An equal number of steps in each direction (clockwise and anti-clockwise).

Breathing: Inhale when moving anti-clockwise. Exhale when moving clockwise.

Recommended Number of Steps: A minimum of 100 in each direction (with a total of 200 steps).

Excessive Triple Burner Energy – ‘Monkey Hugging Tree palm’

This palm works in combination with other palms (that are practiced for releasing excessive energy). When there is too much ‘fire’, the energy produced by the body is wasted. Symptoms: strong appetite, weight gain, obesity, sore throat, excitement, restlessness and insomnia.

The arms are held out in front of the abdomen, towards the circle. The face of the palms is angled downwards, as if holding a ball under the palms.

Direction: Clockwise.

Breathing: Exhale with every step.

Recommended Number of Steps: A minimum of 100.

Deficient Triple Burner Energy – ‘Monkey Palm’

This palm must be practiced to increase the efficiency of the energy flow through all the organs. When there is not enough ‘fire’, the digestive system doesn’t work properly. Combine this palm with the practice of other palms used for deficiency. It is specially used to supplement the energy in the triple burner meridian. Symptoms: migraine mimics, dysmenorrhea, chills, cold hands and feet, weakness, sweating when moving, loose stools.

The arms are held up, wrists together, in front of the face, towards the circle. The palms face upwards (see image below).

Direction: Anti-Clockwise.

Breathing: Inhale with every step.

Recommended Number of Steps: A minimum of 100.