Chi Nei Tsang

by Mary Ellen Derwis-Balaz LMT
(Cleveland, Ohio)

When one first hears the words Chi Nei Tsang a quizzical expression crosses their face. Chi!! Most of us understand that it is a word that describes the indescribable energy that influences life. What about the rest of it? Literally, Chi Nei Tsang means abdominal chi massage. This is what I teach.

Chi Nei Tsang is not abdominal massage as most western therapists see it. It is a modality that uses breath, massage, and movement of chi as tools to bring awareness back into the organ systems of the body. You might say what does that have to do with massage? Well may I suggest to you the Taoist Medical Chi Kung perspective that all disease emanates from the disruption of chi. And, one of the most powerful way to physically balance that chi flow is through abdominal manipulation via Chi Nei Tsang.

Our first experience of chi as a human being is from our navel where nourishment, both physical and energetic comes from within our mother’s body. A spiraling out of all tissues begins upon implantation of the egg in the uterine wall. It presents itself within our bodies as a spiraling of tissues. Muscles are not connected nor do they work in a linear fashion. They spiral thus offering flexibility. Taoist medical chi kung practice recognizes this spiraling nature and offers ways to address it through specific manipulations, breathing, and Chi Kung practice.

Chi moves within the fascia. It communicates within the fascia. Fascia covers every cell of the body therefore through it Chi communicates with all body systems including the muscular system. Both smooth, cardiac and skeletal. This being said, Chi Nei Tsang is one of the most effective treatments for sciatica, headaches, back pain as well as constipation, bloating, and stress related disorders.

When one performs a Chi Nei Tsang treatment things begin to happen!
•By the very nature of physical touch detoxification of abdominal contents begins
•Imbalances of visceral structure and congestion of structural patterns release and seek a more healthy position and function within the abdominal cavity
•Unprocessed emotions trapped within the digestive system are attended to, Many psychologists have sought out CNT practitioners as physical support for their clients
•Through massage and breath the client becomes more self aware and now has choices available in lifestyle that they did now know existed.

Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage gives one the tools to support this process.

Choosing to pursue this modality as a practitioner requires a conscious choice to approach massage therapy through the taoist five element system of fire, water, wood, earth, and metal and the eastern perspective of bodywork.

The classes I teach are based in the teachings of Mantak Chia and Gilles Marin. There is so much more to learn than I can possibly cover in a short article.

Mary Ellen Derwis-Balaz LMT. Chi Nei Tsang Instructor www.beinthetao.com