Ilchi Lee Blog Network

Headache Relief from Brain Education

Sometimes it can seem to come out of nowhere like a blinding flash of pain, other times it starts with a dull ache and gradually builds until it is unbearable. A headache, whether it is common or a migraine, usually has its roots in tension caused by stress or poor posture. It begins when the energy flow of your body is reversed. The natural flow of energy in your body is cool energy flowing up to your head from your kidneys and warm energy flowing down from your heart to your lower abdomen. When warm energy flows to the head, your head can feel hot and blocked, causing a headache.

You can do a quick self-check of your energy flow by putting one hand on the back of your neck and the other on your lower abdomen (Dahn Jon). If your neck is warmer, your energy flow is reversed.
When you have a headache or other symptoms of reverse energy flow, you can do some of these Brain Education exercises to bring the hot energy down from your head and feel better.

Two acupressure points you can press at the start of a headache are the Gallbladder 20 (PoongJi) points at the base of your skull in the back of your head. Press up into your skull strongly with your thumbs at these points. Repeat until you feel your pain lessen or disappear entirely.

Toe Tapping
Toe tapping restores the natural flow of energy in the body and helps you sleep more deeply and restfully.

1. Lie down on your back with your heels together and ankles flexed.
2. Tap your big toes together, then open your feet so that your little toes tap the floor. Repeat as rapidly as you can.
3. Begin with 100 repetitions and increase the number as you practice.

Pressing Temple (Tae-Yang) Acupressure Points

1. Using your thumbs, press your temples five times slowly.
2. Then using the pad of your hands, tap your temples thirty times.

Holding strong postures designed to draw energy down from your head, such as Sleeping Tiger, are also effective for relieving headaches. Sleeping Tiger is a lying posture done on your back with your arms straight up into the air, elbows bent slightly and wrists bent at right angles so that the palms face the ceiling. The legs are also raised with the hip, knee, and ankle joints at 90-degree angles. Stay relaxed and focused on the lower abdomen. Exhale through the mouth while you hold the posture. Start with holding it for five minutes if you can, and then increase the amount of time as the posture becomes easier.

While holding the posture, you may experience various sensations such as muscle fatigue, joint pain, heat, cold, burning, shaking, and vibrating. You may also experience emotional responses such as anxiety, fear, calm, and peace. These sensations often change. Within reason, it’s best to hold the posture for as long as possible. Ilchi Lee advises, “Try to enjoy these physical responses, as they are actually positive signs that the body is releasing toxic energy and becoming healthy and strong.” The emotional responses are also signs that blockages unhealthy energy is clearing.

To help prevent headaches from beginning in the first place, strengthen the energy center in your lower abdomen (Dahn Jon) with ongoing practice. Intestine Exercise, Dahn Jon Tapping, Sit-ups, and Jung Choong Breathing are very effective for creating and maintaining a strong center and a healthy energy state. Whenever you do these exercises, keep your mind focused on your dahn-jon, which is two inches below your navel and two inches inside your abdomen.

Intestine Exercise
Benefits: This exercise will increase the flexibility of the intestines and facilitate efficient circulation of both energy and blood. If you also tighten your rectal muscles during this exercise, you will be able to gather energy and feel warmth much more quickly.
Note: You should not overdo this exercise in the beginning since it may result in some discomfort.

1. This exercise can be performed standing up or lying down. When standing up, keep your knees slightly bent and toes turned slightly inward. When lying down, lie on your back with your legs shoulder-width apart.
2. Form a triangle by touching your thumbs and forefingers together and place them lightly on the lower abdomen.
3. When pulling in, pull as if the front wall of your abdomen is trying to touch your back. Tighten your rectal muscles at the same time.
4. Then, push your lower abdomen out slightly, making it more round. You will feel outward pressure in your lower abdomen.
5. Repeat the movement. Start with one set of 50 and work your way up to a set of 300 as you advance.

Dahn-jon Tapping
Benefits: By rhythmically patting the lower abdomen with the palms of both hands, blood and energy is distributed throughout the entire body. Abdominal exercises will assist in the prompt removal of excess gases and waste from the body, and you will feel increased warmth in the Dahn-jon, as well.

1. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees slightly.
2. Lengthen and relax your spine. Relax your shoulders, neck, and arms.
3. Point your toes slightly inward and feel a slight tightening of the lower abdomen.
4. Rhythmically strike the lower abdomen area with both palms.
5. Begin with 100 strikes. You may increase the number and force of the strikes with more practice.