Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Steven Blair, an acupuncturist and expert in traditional Japanese medicine with over 20 years of experience.
Trained in London and having perfected his craft during 5 years in Japan under the tutelage of Edward Obaidey Sensei, Steven has been running ShinSei Acupuncture in Sitges for 15 years, where he combines acupuncture, moxibustion, shiatsu and herbal medicine in personalised treatments.
We wanted to talk to him because at Happy Belly Barcelona, we've always felt a deep connection with the Eastern traditions that inspire our star product: the haramaki. Let's discover together what he has to tell us about caring for our energy centre.
Steven, in traditional Japanese medicine, there's a lot of talk about the "hara". Could you explain why this area of the body is so important from an energetic and health perspective?
Generally speaking, the hara is the area where the vital organs are present. As an acupuncturist, this area is palpated to determine a Sho, or treatment pattern. For example, the left of the navel is related to the wood, or liver. The right side is related to the lungs or the metal element. There is a fascinating reason behind this phenomenon. The emperor was considered to reside in the south, and so you would face the emperor with your back facing the north. The Chinese character for back, is made up using the character for north (背).
With this in mind, when physically facing south, the sun rises in the east (left) and sets in the west (right). When we include a cultural philosophy, it can help explain the phenomena. Clinically, it is often correct as the left side reflects the yang (heat) and the right the yin (cold). In a liver yin deficiency syndrome (where there is more yang than yin), the abdomen will often be tight on this side. The right side often develops cysts, which originate from cold. A cyst, for example, can develop as the body's way to warm up the area (that is cold).
In Oriental medicine, how is cold understood as a cause of imbalance or illness? Which areas of the body are especially vulnerable?
I have explained this above; it usually manifests on the right side of the lower abdomen. We look at this as coming from the lungs. Cold as a pathogen, it first enters the lungs. Cold can also manifest as a blood deficiency in women. They will typically have cold hands and feet, and most of their yang energy will be above the hara, which can manifest as poor sleep, palpitations, headaches, and stiff shoulders.
With regards to a "cold pathogen", I often tell women patients not to walk around the house barefoot, especially on floor tiles, as cold can travel up the legs. Another simple thing to avoid, and a lot of women do this. Blow-dry your hair after a shower and do not let the cold hair sit around the shoulders! This causes a stiff neck and shoulders.
During your training in Japan, did you observe any specific traditional practice to protect the abdominal area from cold? How does this relate to preventive health?
Many women use the haramaki. It's not so common for men to have them; however, from a Daoist cultivation perspective, both men and women can benefit from them. We also have to consider the lower back, not just the lower abdomen, to understand that. Another thing that needs consideration is the philosophy behind the cultural tradition. The lower body is like the "family jewels", and can be thought of as not only the cultivation of the self, but the preservation of a generation. The lower back for men is as important as the lower abdomen is for women.
Originally, in the 15th century, the haramaki actually referred to a type of armour worn by foot soldiers. It fastened at the back and protected the torso while allowing mobility. So originally, the word wasn't about warmth at all—it was about protection in battle.
We know you've used Japanese haramakis and now also ours from Happy Belly. From your experience as an acupuncturist, what therapeutic benefits can continuously keeping the hara area warm provide? Which organs and body systems especially benefit when we keep the abdomen protected and warm?
Personally, I only recommend that the haramaki be worn below the navel. This area is the powerhouse for both yin and yang energy for the rest of the vital organs. In particular, I'm interested in the Kidney energy, which can be divided into Yin and Yang. Protecting this area front and back, remember, the haramaki is actually a wrap (hence the name maki), then it's not just the front of the body I am considering.
Are there relevant acupuncture points in the area that a haramaki covers? What functions do they have?
That's a good question. There are a lot of acupuncture points and meridians in that area. I don't think you can really consider that the haramaki will have a specific effect on an acupuncture point, as we can't really consider wearing a haramaki as an acupuncture treatment. I would prefer to look at the haramaki in a general context, which will help with the flow of energy in all of the meridians.
Many of our customers use the haramaki during menstruation and tell us they feel relief. From an Oriental medicine perspective, why does warmth in this area help during the cycle?
During menstruation, the body is letting go of its yang energy. Covering an area is asking the body to use its own natural resources to warm up. If, for example, you place a hot water bottle there, it will feel nice, but once the heat source is removed, the area will cool again. Using a hot water bottle isn't necessarily a bad idea, but the temperature has to be "just right" and not too hot. I call this the Goldilocks principle. Most women will know what is just right for them, as I consider them generally more sophisticated than men.
How can keeping the abdomen warm influence processes such as digestion, bloating or abdominal discomfort?
The right kidney is considered Yang and is connected with what we call the ming men, which is important for keeping the digestion warm. As long as there is sufficient yang energy moving up from the ming men, this will allow the digestion to function better. I think there is a nice image of a fire beneath a pot of water to emphasise this.
You mention that you practice Shiatsu, Do-In and Anma massage. Is there a simple self-massage technique we could recommend to our readers to complement the use of the haramaki?
Heel walking. It's not really self-massage, I think it's better than self-massage, which is why I will mention it.
This is a very simple, yet profoundly sophisticated exercise that has its origins in Qi Gong. Preferably, you do it without shoes. You walk backwards and forwards on your heels. You do it for as long as you can, until the anterior tibialis starts to ache. You stop and sit down. Relax and go about your daily duties calmly and without haste.
Here's why it's so good. Walking on your heels lowers the sacrum and activates the yang aspect of the kidney area known as the ming men. The stomach meridian runs along the anterior tibialis muscle. In a lot of people with kidney deficiency, and especially problems with the lower back, this meridian is often tight, including the muscle below it. Most people are subconsciously adapting a position of aggression. This means that they are often on the balls of the feet, as a way of lunging forward, or attacking the world as they move forward in their daily activities. The anterior tibialis muscle is the one that is most active when professional sprinters move from the blocks, it's not just the gastrocnemius muscles. If you were in a life threatening situation, such as about to get hit by a bus, you'll use this muscle to get out of the way.
When you walk on your heels you are engaging the contractive yin energy of the kidneys and because the muscle is over contracting, it will go the opposite way and relax. This is a natural progression of Yin to Yang. This simple practice can increase energy and cure long standing lower back issues. Since you asked about self massage, gently rubbing the lower back with your warm hands after doing this heel walking could be nice. Your upper body must be totally relaxed during heel walking, with the arms literally hanging at the sides.
We have a special line of haramakis for pregnancy. How important is it to care for this area during and after pregnancy from a Japanese medicine perspective?
Post partum, from a Japanese medicine perspective, women become "liver yin deficient". It may sound strange, but giving birth and dying are very closely related energetically because they are both a kind of letting go which is under the control of the kidney energy. I can usually tell from the kidney pulse if the baby will be late. We look at it as the contractive energy of the kidneys that need to soften. If it is still strong, the birth will usually be later than predicted. Once the pulse softens, the birth is usually close.
If there is a backache, then wearing a haramaki is good, and also during the winter months before birth, it's especially good because it increases the expansive yang energy of the ming men.
Post birth, as I mentioned just now, is a liver yin phase, and is when there will be more demand for breast milk. The mother will not have a period until she stops breastfeeding. This is quite interesting as it is very good for women to stop their period for a while. Women who have more children tend to be quite healthy and live longer. When you consider what I have just explained, it makes sense that women tend to outlive men.
Is there any relationship between protecting the hara and managing stress or anxiety? Why do many people feel a sensation of "security" or "calm" when wearing something that embraces their abdomen?
Yes, definitely. Women essentially have "two" livers. The actual anatomical liver, and the uterus itself, which we consider a kind of liver, especially with its involvement in blood. The Chinese character for liver is made up of (肝), which is an image of flesh on the left, and a shield or staff on the right. The liver is connected very much with the defensive mechanism, and in particular, is in the domain of the subconscious (in oriental medicine, we link it with the tendons and the flight and fight mechanism, which is part of the autonomic nervous system). Women are generally more fearful walking alone at night than men. I think protecting this area increases "calm" and "security" in women.
Some women have what we classify as a liver-type constitution and archetype. They will generally be more sensitive and like attention to detail and working alone. Of course, some women are quite resilient and less bothered by this kind of threat. They will have a different constitutional type.
I think protecting the lower abdomen is good for both men and women, as it can also prevent energy leakage. What you perceive as energy is open to interpretation, but it is basically a step towards self-preservation and disease prevention.
In your practice, how important is prevention? Can small gestures like protecting the abdomen from cold make a difference in the long term?
It depends on how you look at it. The "cold pathogen" in oriental medicine tends to affect mostly the upper body, in particular, the lungs. I mentioned above that cold is often present on the right side of the abdomen, which can have its source in lung deficiency. Keeping the lower body warm is good for the "yang" energy in general and is a deterrent against general cold. This is why we tend to say that warm drinks are better than cold drinks, especially for people prone to cold.
Many people associate the haramaki only with winter. However, are there situations or conditions where it would be beneficial to use it also in summer or warm weather? For example, with air conditioning, temperature changes, or certain health conditions.
That's a good question. I haven't really thought about it. In summer, the air conditioning is a cause of many cold conditions that start from the upper body. Sometimes I advise patients to keep their neck covered. It's an area that is particularly prone to the cold pathogen. I don't think wearing a haramaki in summer is comfortable (at least here in Sitges), but some countries have pretty cold summers, so I guess it depends on location and climate.
Would you recommend using a haramaki as a complement to acupuncture or moxibustion treatments? In which cases specifically?
If the patient wants to conceive, I recommend it, especially if it's due to what we term as blood deficiency. It's also good for women who may have period pains or cramping. I also recommend it to men with lower back issues that are aggravated by cold. People who are prone to type 2 diabetes will also benefit, as they generally have cold lower backs.
To finish with something more personal: we know you yourself use a Happy Belly haramaki in your daily life. When did you decide to incorporate it into your routine? What benefits have you noticed? And as a health professional, do you recommend it to your patients?
As part of my constitution, I am prone to kidney deficiency. If I get sick, I usually move into the syndrome known as kidney yang deficiency. I stand a lot in my clinic. Standing for long periods can weaken kidney energy. Wearing a haramaki really helps and prevents lower back pain. I started wearing haramakis in Japan many years ago, so these days, during the winter months, I wear one every day and night.
To close, what advice would you give to someone who wants to start caring for their energy and health more consciously from an Oriental perspective?
I think we shouldn't take good health for granted, so when you are feeling healthy is actually the best time to look after yourself. It's one of the reasons I like the haramaki; it's simple, yet over a long period of time, it will yield positive health benefits. Often, people develop serious health problems gradually, such as a certain way of thinking or behaving. These days, people spend a lot of time looking at their phones. This increases the energy in the upper body, away from the lower abdomen. I don't think this is having a good long term effect on people's health.
We greatly appreciate Steven for sharing his wisdom with us. His words reinforce what we've always intuited: that the haramaki is not just a fashion accessory, but a self-care tool with deep roots in ancient traditions.
If you want to know more about Steven's work, you can visit his clinic ShinSei Acupuncture in Sitges or contact him through http://www.stevensacupuncture.com/
And if you want to start caring for your hara with one of our haramakis, visit our catalogue :)
