the extraordinary BRIDGE flow and it's role in balance, equilibrium and stability.

BRIDGE FLOW

THE BRIDGE FLOW QIAO MAI (pronounced Chow)

HEEL FLOW (qiao means heel)

MOTILITY VESSEL

WALKER VESSELS

As we move through the years, one of life’s quiet challenges is maintaining stability, equilibrium, and uprightness — not only in our body, but in our spirit.

The Yang Bridge Flow (Yang Qiao Mai) is one of the body’s extraordinary vessels, an ancient energy pathway that governs our ability to move, balance, and stand tall in the world.

It’s called a “Bridge” because it connects and coordinates — linking Yin and Yang, left and right, inner and outer, movement and stillness.

When the Yang Bridge flows freely, our steps feel confident, our body feels aligned, and our energy feels alert yet centred. One of it's alternative names is WALKER, so that gives us a clue that it might be useful when we are looking at physical stability when walking.

NB BRIDGE FLOW has 2 flows that work together, in a sacred partnership: YIN along the front of the body and YANG along the back.

Together, they regulate how we move — balancing muscle tone, posture, coordination, and the alternation of rest and activity.

The Yang Bridge governs the body’s Yang energy in motion — the muscles that keep us upright, our ability to walk, and our capacity to respond quickly and gracefully to shifts in balance.

The Yang Bridge coordinates the muscles on the outer side of the body — ankles, knees, hips, and spine — which help us stand, turn, and adjust to gravity.

Balances left and right sides of the body. If one side feels weaker, tighter, or less coordinated, this vessel helps re-establish harmony between both sides.

When strong, it helps us respond fluidly to sudden changes in movement or environment — an essential part of fall prevention and stability as we age.

Its pathway reaches the inner corner of the eye, linking vision, spatial awareness, and the vestibular (balance) system — vital for equilibrium.

Its route along the back body harmonizes with the Governing Vessel and Vagus nerve, blending alert, upright energy with calm awareness.

When this flow becomes blocked or depleted, we might notice:

·       Stiffness or weakness along the outer body (hips, legs, shoulders).

·       Difficulty balancing or quick fatigue when walking.

·       Postural issues (leaning to one side, stooping, or uneven gait).

·       Restlessness or inability to relax — the “Yang” can’t disengage.

·       Dizziness or disconnection between what the eyes see and the body feels.

Energetically, it can feel like we’re “losing our footing” in life — unsteady, over-extended, or struggling to stay centred.

Activate the Starting Point – Bladder 62 (“Extending Vessel”)

Located just below the outer ankle bone, in a small hollow.

This is the opening point of the Yang Bridge Flow.

Sit comfortably and gently press or massage this point on both ankles for 30 seconds.

Breathe deeply and feel energy rising up the outer legs to your hips and shoulders.

You may sense an awakening of alertness or lift in your posture.

Combining this with Kidney 6 (on the inner ankle, opening the Yin Bridge Flow) balances inner and outer stability — Yin grounding with Yang mobility. see below.

Integrate Vision and Motion

Because the Yang Bridge links directly to the eyes, simple eye exercises — like slowly following your thumb as it moves side to side — strengthen the connection between visual awareness and body movement. See video below.

Energetic Companions

·       Gallbladder Meridian: The Yang Bridge flows through and harmonizes with the Gallbladder meridian — both vital for coordination and lateral movement.

·       Kidney Meridian / Yin Bridge: As stated above, working both together (Bladder 62 and Kidney 6) harmonizes activity and rest, supporting balanced stability.

·       Earth Element: Grounding practices, such as massaging Kidney 1 (Bubbling Spring), complement the Yang Bridge by anchoring your mobility in the Earth’s stability.

Over time, muscle tone, joint mobility, and proprioception naturally shift.

By gently stimulating the Yang Bridge Flow, we:

·       Keep outer muscles responsive and supple.

·       Improve coordination and postural alignment.

·       Enhance balance reactions and prevent falls.

·       Cultivate graceful, confident movement.

The key is gentle, regular practice — soft activation rather than force.

It's about reminding your body how to flow, not commanding it.

activating BRIDGE FLOW

Follow the video at the start of this blog.. written instructions below.

The Yang Bridge loves space and extension.

Side stretches, gentle hip circles, and “windmill” arm movements open its pathway, encouraging fluidity and strength along the outer lines of the body.

As you stretch, breathe into your lateral lines — the places where tightness can subtly pull us off balance.

Don’t forget: smile, breathe, visualise and be the voice of the goddess (or god).

 A bit more about Bladder 62 – (“Extending Vessel”) Awakening Balance and Coordination

As mentioned above, Bladder 62 lies in a small hollow just below the outer ankle bone — the gateway to the Yang Bridge Flow (Yang Qiao Mai), one of the body’s extraordinary vessels that governs balance, posture, and coordinated movement.

When this point is activated, it gently “wakes up” the outer body — the muscles and fascia that help us stand upright, adjust to gravity, and move with grace and stability.

It’s especially valuable for older adults who wish to maintain confidence in walking, turning, and staying steady on their feet.

·       Opens and strengthens the Yang Bridge Flow, which controls how the body’s outer muscles respond to movement and equilibrium.

·       Harmonizes the connection between eyes, inner ears, and legs, improving balance and spatial awareness.

·       Encourages alert, poised energy — awake but grounded.

·       Sit comfortably and find the point just below the outer ankle bone (lateral malleolus) in a soft hollow.

·       Press or massage gently with your thumb or knuckle for 30–60 seconds on each ankle.

·       As you do, take a few slow breaths and visualize your outer body — ankles, hips, shoulders — aligning and stabilizing.

When Bladder 62 flows freely You feel steady yet light, strong yet supple — able to walk, bend, and balance with confidence.

Like its name, Shenmai — “Extending Vessel” — this point helps your energy extend outward with grace, carrying you forward through life with agility and assurance.

Also mentioned above is pairing it with Kidney 6 (remember both Kidney and Bladder are a 'married couple' in the Water House).

Kidney 6  (“Shining Sea”)

All about grounding Inner Balance and Stability.

Just below the inner ankle bone, nestled in a soft hollow, lies Kidney 6 (Zhaohai) — the opening point of the Yin Bridge Flow (Yin Qiao Mai).

If Bladder 62 awakens our outer support and responsiveness, Kidney 6 nourishes the inner stillness that allows us to feel calm, centred, and steady within.

This point connects us to the deep Yin currents — grounding, moistening, and restorative — that help us stand with quiet strength and move with ease.

It’s particularly valuable for restoring equilibrium when life (or aging) feels like it’s pulling us off centre

·       Sit comfortably and find the soft spot just below the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus).

·       Gently press or massage the point for 30–60 seconds on each side.

·       As you breathe, imagine roots of calm energy descending from the point down into the Earth, anchoring you deeply.

For full balance, follow by pressing Bladder 62 on the outer ankle — awakening alertness to complement the inner calm of Kidney 6.

Don’t forget: smile, breathe, visualise and be the voice of the goddess (or god).

.Once you've opened the Bridge Flow - deepen it's balance and efficiency by tracing it (as in the video above).

·       Start at the back of the head on the base of the skull on the occipital bone – these points (GB20) provide entry/exit points for Qiao Yin to the brain

·       Trace up over the head to the inner edges of the eyebrows – pause slightly

·       Down over Bladder 1 on the inner edge of the eyes themselves

·       Down either side of the bridge of the nose

·       Down to the cheekbone – the middle of the plump bit that is formed when you smile. This is also a Stomach grounding point, so you might be tempted to pause and tap.

·       Down to the jawline

·       Cross over the throat to K27 – the points located in the right angle between the collar bone and the breast bone

·       Buzz/tap or massage K27 for a couple of seconds (gets energies running in the right direction and stimulates the Kidney meridian)

·       Move down to the bottom of the sternum [breastbone] and from that point ..

·       Trace a huge heart over your torso x 3

·       After the 3^rd heart trace down the front of the legs

·       Shift your weight slightly to the outside of your feet so that you can ..

·       Wrap your fingers underneath your feet [soles] and stretch arms, feel the stretch in your back.

Tracing the flow on your back is virtually impossible even if you are an Olympic gymnast!

(Actually, talking about athletes, because of its association with the heel, it is said to improve the performance of runners.)  

So, use your imagination: put your hand out in front of you, either one will do. Fingers form a triad, [thumb, index and middle finger bunch together] close your eyes and trace horizontal Figure 8’s in front of your fact – imagine they are actually moving down your back from head to foot and back up to the head.  Some students of mine devised a nifty way:  trace the 8s in front of your, turn around and back into them, go through the energetic imprint.

Here are two illustrations: Bladder 62 and Kidney 6 - you will be massaging an 'area', not inserting needles, so you don't have to be pinpoint exact, which means you can relax as you work the areas. If you enjoy pinpoint accuracy a great source is the online Deadman app. These illustrations are from there: https://amanualofacupuncture.com/