Bob Lehnberg
Embryo Qi
Bob Lehnberg

Embryological Mesoderm and the Middle Dantain

All vessels connect with the heart

Register and enroll here. Live online series February 20th – March 27th, 2023, 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Eastern Time.

Description

We will consider our embodiment of space. During the early embryological process, mesoderm was created in the polarity of the endoderm and ectoderm. A two-layered embryo disc transformed into a three-layered disc. The mesoderm forms our vascular system, muscles, bones, and connective tissue. The center of our vascular system resides in the heart. The middle dantian, middle energy center, is in the area of the heart and relates to the sense of emotion.

Blood originates in the mesoderm. As a yin tissue, it offers us a sense of grounding and connection with the earth; iron in blood has an affinity with the iron in the center of the earth. Embryologically, development of channels and vessels support the movement of blood which swirls and creates the heart center. The heart resides at the center of spirilic movement, clarity and rejuvenation.

Embryologically, positioning and development of the heart precedes and guides organization of the brain. Development of the thoracic diaphragm and heart are also deeply connected. Coordinating breathing and heart rhythms can lead to deep serenity and One-ness.

One intention of cultivating qi is developing relationship to the physical, emotional, and energetic aspects of our being. Developmental, movement and embryological principles of Body-Mind Centering© will be applied to simple-to-do qi-movement forms and embryonic breathing practice.

Original embryology illustrations are included with the live course.

Register and enroll here.

Curriculum

Class 1: Mesoderm. Arising from interplay of endoderm and ectoderm to become extraembryonic mesoderm and intraembryonic mesoderm.

Class 2: Primitive Streak. The primitive streak gives rise to the notochord and the foundation of the early heart

Class 3: Blood Islands. Blood islands form in the mesoderm of the connecting stalk and yok sac. Vacuoles form, coalesce to create channels and early blood vessels. These early vessels have an inherent peripheral pulsation.

Class 4: Heart Formation. The heart forms outside of the embryo and then draws down into its location in the center of the cathedral of ribs. This is the seat of the middle dantian.

Class 5: Thoracic Diaphragm. The heart and thoracic diaphragm are formed of tissues from several origins. Breathing and heart rhythm have an early embryologic connection.

Class 6: Bone Marrow. Blood is eventually formed in the bone marrow and balances the energy expended in the brain and upper dantian.

Register and enroll here. Live online series February 20th – March 27th, 2023, 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Eastern Time.

Related Posts:

  • About Somatics Somatics is a term that has only recently been coined. If you asked ten people what it is, you will likely get ten different responses. In a nut shell, it is the connection between our living physical body (our soma) and our mind. It is the study and practice of experiencing greater unity of these aspects of our selves, which at times may seem disconnected but are two sides of ourselves. When they are integrated, there is but one entity. There are many traditional disciplines which support the integration of soma and mind such as hatha yoga, tai chi and…
  • Don’t Bend Your Knees, Fold Your Kwa She knows so well how her kwas (hips) are folded deeply. Her knees are directly over her ankles with the feet flat on the ground. She does not think about this but simply squats naturally. Using one of the most powerful parts of our body, our kwa, may bring us strength, mobility, and balance through the years. As an added element, when we squat using our kwa, our tail (though not as long as the monkey's tail) reaches back to help this folding. To come up, the tail engages a gentle push as the kwa unfolds. The engagement of the tail is an…
  • Sitting and Breathing Utter stillness is perhaps one of the deepest meditations. We can cultivate “stiller stillness” with pre-birth breathing. When we are internally still, our subconscious mind-noise subsides and the deeper vibratory patterns which are beyond our true selves have the possibility to arise and disperse. This is no easy feat. Once we are seated for meditation (sometimes no easy feat in itself) we can focus our attention on our breathing. There are a myriad of ways to do this. One option is to choose between pre-birth breathing and post-birth breathing. In this article, we will attend to pre-birth breathing. Pre-birth breathing…