If you live on the West Coast of the US or Chiang Mai you are probably familiar with Chi Nei Tsang abdominal chi massage. If not, this may be your first contact so to speak with this amazing healing modality. I will attempt to demystify it for you.
Chi Nei Tsang is based in the teachings of Mantak Chia as originally taught to him by Taoist monks. It is a practical useable system that combines massage, breath and Chi Kung in such a way that a practitioner can teach their client basic practice that can be incorporated into their everyday lives. (Yes I do mean breath, Chi Kung, AND massage). This system empowers individuals to take an active part in maintaining their health.
GrandMaster Mantak Chia in his wisdom and generosity has shared this information with all willing to listen. ‘I invite you to listen.’
Chi Nei Tsang literally means massage of viscera with chi. Sounds ominous, but in practice it is one of the most balancing experiences you can have. When you become familiar with the modality your practitioner will guide you to work on your own belly and demonstrate Chi Kung practice that will support the work.
Chi Nei Tsang is not abdominal massage as most western therapists see it. It is a modality that uses breath, massage, and movement of chi as tools to bring awareness back into the organ systems of the body. You might say what does that have to do with massage? Well may I suggest to you the Taoist Medical Chi Kung perspective that all disease emanates from the disruption of chi. And, one of the most powerful ways to physically balance that chi flow is thru abdominal manipulation via Chi Nei Tsang.
Our first experience of chi as a human being is from our navel where nourishment, both physical and energetic comes from within our mother’s body. A spiraling out of all tissues begins upon implantation of the egg in the uterine wall. It presents itself within our bodies as a spiraling of tissues. Muscles are not connected nor do they work in a linear fashion. They spiral thus offering flexibility. Taoist medical Chi Kung practice recognizes this spiraling nature and offers ways to address it through specific manipulations, breathing, and Chi Kung practice.
Chi moves within the fascia. It communicates within the fascia. Fascia is a connective tissue that covers every cell of the body therefore thru it Chi communicates with all body systems including the muscular system. Both smooth, cardiac and skeletal. This being said, Chi Nei Tsang is one of the most effective treatments for sciatica, headaches, and back pain as well as constipation, bloating, and anxiety to name a few.
When one performs a Chi Nei Tsang treatment thing begin to happen!
• By the very nature of physical touch detoxification of abdominal contents begins
• Imbalances of visceral structure and congestion of structural patterns release and seek a more healthy position and function within the abdominal cavity
• Unprocessed emotions trapped within the digestive system are attended to. Many psychologists have sought out CNT practitioners as physical support for their clients.
• Through massage and breath the client becomes more self aware and now has choices available in lifestyle that they did now know existed.
Choosing to pursue this modality as a practitioner requires a conscious choice to approach massage therapy thru the Taoist five element system of fire, water, wood, metal, earth and the eastern perspective of bodywork. Fire represents energy at its highest peak, Water represents energy that seeks the deepest level, Wood represents energy that is growing and rising upward, Metal represents energy cooling and contracting and Earth represents energy that is stable and in balance. One works within this construct to create a safe space for someone to experience themselves and attain health.
Choosing to pursue this modality as a client requires a willingness to make lifestyle changes as one begins to feel better to support the process.
Simple, yes. Profound, yes. Simple things usually are. When one gets back to the basic flow of energy, embracing its elemental qualities as it moves, very simple, profound things happen. Chi Nei Tsang creates Earth, safety, balance; basically a home base where one can experience health on many levels and integrate that experience into daily life.
Mary Ellen Derwis-Balaz Lmt., Cht., Cnt3 is a Reiki Master, Licensed Massotherapist in Ohio and Hawaii, certified Hypnotherapist, Level 3/Assistant Teacher with the Chi Nei Tsang Institute and Certified Practitioner with the Universal Healing Tao.
Her immersion in the healing arts spans 2+ decades. She has traveled coast to coast and Hawaii to study with teachers of many disciplines in order to develop a cohesive healing system that supports many different paths to self healing.
She offers courses in several massage modalities and is a national Ncbtmb certified instructor (451057-09). Her webpage is www.beinthetao.com.