Yin Qiao Mai—Water
The Yin Qiao Mai puts the yin into dynamic motion. Together with the Yang Qiao Mai it is responsible for graceful movement of the limbs and the body. The Qiao Mai relate not just to body movement but the movement of yin and yang in all aspects of life, eg the flow from night to day. The Qiao Mai are very important for the regulation of biorythms and sleep.
The characters for Qiao Mai relate to being able to stand in a dynamic way or walk and a pavilion with lofty heights.
Another character that is sometimes used for Qiao relates to being firmly rooted in the earth. This link to the earth suggests they provide a stable foundation. However, the pavilion component of the character suggests that they raise this energy to the heights. One of the functions of the Qiao Mai is to attract the energy of the earth to the top of the body.
The characters together symbolise moving with agility and grace. The characters are used sometimes in reference to horses – and the ease and grace for which they move.
The Qiao Mai are particularly important for walking and walking gates. The Yang Qiao Mai affects the lateral aspect of the leg and torso, the Yin Qiao Mai the medial aspect of the leg and torso. The balance between medial and lateral leg is affected by these vessels.
These vessels also play an important role in the balance of yin and yang, interior and exterior. They both arise at the centre of the heel, meet at the eye and end in the brain. This sharing of beginning and end points is similar to the pairing of Ren and Du Mai. The Yang Qiao Mai is said to be coupled with the Du Mai and the Yin Qiao Mai with the Ren Mai, which is further emphasises their role in balancing yin and yang. The Qiao Mai are particularly involved in regulating the ascending and descending of yin and yang, the balance of yin and yang on the left and the right.
The Yin Qiao Mai allows the yin, especially Kidney yin, to rise to the face, eyes and brain. It helps to irrigate (face, brain, muscles) and build vitality. It is particularly important for the distribution of ying (nutritive) qi.
The Yin Qiao Mai connects to our introverted side, and allow us self reflection, and how we stand up to ourselves. It supports healthy relationship to our bodies to prevent distorted body image. It help us connect to our sexual identity. Provides grounding & self trust for those with self doubt, or those who feel scattered.
Pathway
Begins in the middle of the heel, goes to Ki2, Ki6, Ki8 (xi cleft point), ascends the medial aspect of the leg, passes through all yin organs, emerges at St19, follows the Stomach channel to St12, the passes through the neck and face to emerge at Bl1 (where it meets the Yang Qiao Mai) and penetrates the brain.
Treatment
It irrigates and moistens, used for arthritis, somnolence and insomnia, coma, epilepsy, glandular fever, impotence, white vaginal discharge, frigidity, pregnancy complications, uncomfortable urination, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation in women, chest feeling big, breast abscess, oedema, weakness in women, generalised pains, inability to open eyes.
Master and Coupled Point:
