The Ren Mai and Du Mai in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts

In the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) one often encounters reference to the Ren Mai and Du Mai (Mai is the Chinese term for Meridian). These meridians also play an important role in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, especially in the Internal Arts of Taiji, Xing Yi, and Bagua.

While the pathway of the Ren and Du meridians is the same in both TCM and Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, there are important differences. TCM views the Ren and Du meridians from a perspective of curing disease. In Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, the Ren and Du meridians are considered a means of developing and refining Qi and of integrating mind and body to achieve a higher level of combative skill.

The Ren and Du meridians exist in everyone. The difference for the practitioner of Qi Gong and of Internal Chinese Martial Arts is the role that these meridians play in the cultivation and refinement of Qi. This internal process is intangible and invisible, but it can be felt and experienced with guided and persistent practice.

The Ren meridian, also known as the Conception Vessel, descends, and it governs Yin Qi. The Du meridian, also known as the Governing Vessel, ascends, and it governs Yang Qi. These concepts are the same in TCM and Qi Gong. Over time, traditional Chinese Martial Arts have incorporated many of the Qi Gong methods derived from Daoist philosophy.

In Taiji, Xing Yi, and Bagua, as well as other styles of Chinese martial arts, the Ren and Du meridians, descending and ascending, are consistent with Yin-and-Yang theory; that is, Yin falling and Yang rising. When this concept is combined with proper breathing techniques, the circulation of Qi forms what is known in Daoist practice as Xiao Zhou Tian, or Small Heavenly Circulation.

The practice of circulating Qi through the Xiao Zhou Tian is an important part of Internal Chinese Martial Arts as well as Qi Gong, although the goals differ. In martial arts the goal is to develop and achieve higher potential and skill. In Qi Gong the goal is more meditative.

The concepts of Ren Mai and Du Mai are a broad and deep field, and I encourage you to explore the matter further on your own. This writing is meant to give a brief introduction to the differences these meridians play in TCM and Chinese Martial Arts. Please refer to the blog entry called Introduction to Xiao Zhou Tian – The Small Heavenly Cycle.