In Chinese Medicine, the Pericardium and Triple Burner (San Jiao) are paired.
When looking at organs through the lens of Chinese Medicine, it’s important to remember that it’s concerned with relationships, interactions, and functions more than with physical location. So whenever the organs are discussed in Chinese Medicine, what’s usually being referred to is an array of functional relationships.
Each primary organ has a corresponding meridian, or energetic channel. The meridians are where Qi is said to flow. This Qi nourishes the body and helps maintain its relative balance.
Physically, the pericardium is the outer protective layer around the heart, which is a little left of centre in the chest.
The Triple Burner, also called the San Jiao, is not recognized as an organ in Western anatomy. There is some dispute over what the Chinese meant by the San Jiao. Still, among Chinese physicians, it’s widely believed to refer to a relationship between organs rather than an organ in itself.
Energetically, the pericardium acts as a buffer, protecting the heart physically and psychologically. It’s very closely connected to the Heart, so many indications and functions are similar. Learn about the Heart meridian here. The Heart is particularly important because it stores the Shen, or “spirit,” and helps regulate the mind.
Watch the video to learn about the location of the Pericardium and the Triple Burner meridians and some acupressure points you can use in your yin yoga or active yoga practice:
Location of the Pericardium Meridian:
- Starts on the chest, lateral to the nipple.
- An internal pathway enters the diaphragm and the upper, middle, and lower cavities.
- The primary pathway descends the medial aspect of the arm to the elbow crease.
- Descends down the middle portion of the palmar aspect of the forearm to the palm of the hand.
- Ends at the middle finger.
Location of the San Jiao (Triple Burner) Meridian:
- Starts at the ring finger and travels along the dorsal aspect of the hand to the centre of the dorsal wrist crease.
- Ascends the arm to the elbow, then ascends the lateral aspect of the upper arm to the shoulder.
- An internal pathway enters the chest and goes through the pericardium and the diaphragm. From there, it travels down through the upper, middle and lower burners (cavities).
- The primary pathway continues from the neck, where it circles the ear and ends at the outer side of the eye.
Acupressure Points for Yoga
During your yoga practice, some poses may compress these points, and others will release the compression. You can also place gentle pressure on these points before, during or after your practice.
Pericardium 6 (SanYinJiao):
A good point for opening the chest, regulating the heart, and calming the mind. It can be used for emotional troubles and is most well-known for its effect on the stomach in cases of nausea and motion sickness.
LOCATION: In the centre of the inner wrist, two thumb widths up the arm, away from the wrist crease.
San Jiao 5 (WaiGuan):
This point is used to dispel “wind” and “heat” if an external pathogen is the cause of symptoms. It also helps to activate the arm for pain and stagnation.
LOCATION: Two thumb widths from the wrist crease. In the center, on the dorsal side of the arm.
