Seven Gates of the Body according to Chinese Medicine

There are seven gates of particular importance in Qigong practice:

 

1^st Gate: Perineum (Conception Vessel 1, or CV1) located between the sex glands and the anal sphincter muscle.

2^nd Gate: Gate of Life or Mingmen (Governing Vessel 4, or GV4) located on the spine, exactly opposite to the navel.

3^rd Gate: Shendao (Governing Vessel 11, or GV11) located between the shoulder blades.

4^th Gate: Fengfu (Governing Vessel 16, or GV16) located at the base of the skull.

5^th Gate: Crown Point or Baihui (Governing Vessel 20, or GV20) located at the top of the head.

6^th Gate: Mouth Point or Yinjiao (Governing Vessel 28, or GV28) located at the junction of the upper lip and the gum.

7^th Gate: Sea of Qi or Qi Hai (Conception Vessel 6) located about an inch and a half below the navel.

A third important Extraordinary Meridian is the Belt Vessel, which encircles the body at the waist.

Stimulating and regulating the flow of energy in the vessels helps regulate flow of energy throughout the body in all the regular meridians. The meditation known as the Micro-Cosmic Orbit, or the Jupiter Cycle Meditation or Small Heaven Breathing, specifically activates the Governing and Conception Vessels.