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Opened: One experiences feelings of openness, abundance, and generosity.

Adrenal Center

The adrenal center (T11), located between the eleventh and twelfth thoracic vertebrae opposite the solar plexus, lies between the two adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands, which produce adrenaline and noradrenaline as well as a variety of other hormones, are the primary energy source for the sympathetic nervous system, and are activated whenever there is stress and the instinctive “fight or flight” response.

Closed: One feels either hyper or listless. Old fears can return and begin to shape our experience and behavior.

Opened: One feels a sense of vitality and confidence.

Center Opposite the Heart

This center, which is located between the fifth and sixth thoracic vertebrae between the shoulder blades, has a close relationship with the functioning of the heart and thymus gland.

Closed: One feels a sense of burden and hopelessness. One also feels a sense of chaos.

Opened: One has a feeling of freedom, as well as a deep-felt sense of living.

Center Opposite the Throat

This center, located just below the seventh cervical vertebra (C7), is the central junction box where the energies, nerves, and tendons from the upper and lower parts of the body meet. Any blockage of this center restricts the flow of energy up the spine to the higher centers in the head. You can easily find this point by bending your head forward; the vertebra that protrudes the most is C7.

Closed: One feels disconnected from both oneself and others. One feels a sense of stubbornness and inappropriateness.

Opened: One feels able to embrace both oneself and others with humanity.

Small Brain Center

Sometimes called the jade pillow, this center lies above the first cervical vertebra in the hollow at the base of the skull. This center includes the cerebellum and medulla oblongata, which help control muscle coordination, as well as respiration and heartbeat. For the Taoist, this center is a storage place for the earth force and for refined sexual energy.

Closed: One feels dullness, burden, and suffocation. One may also experience neck pain.

Opened: One feels inspired.

Crown Center

This center is at the top of the head, where an imaginary line from the top of one ear to the top of the other intersects with the midline of the head. This center has a special relationship with the pineal gland, as well as with the thalamus and the hypothalamus. The crown center is connected with the central nervous system, as well as with the sensory/motor system.

Closed: One may fall under the influence of illusions or delusions, losing oneself either in a false sense of pride or the feeling of being a victim. One may have erratic mood swings and headaches.

Opened: One radiates a deep happiness, and feels that one is receiving guidance from higher forces.

Pituitary Center

This center, sometimes called the third eye, lies midway between the eyebrows approximately three inches inside the skull. This center produces hormones that govern a wide range of bodily functions. The Taoists believe that this center is the home of the spirit.

Closed: One feels a lack of aim, of decisiveness. The mind wanders and is unable to make decisions.

Opened: One feels a sense of real purpose, as well as a sense of direct knowing, of intuition.

Throat Center

This center, which includes the thyroid and parathyroid glands, is located in the V-like space at the bottom of the throat just above the sternum. The functions of this center include speech, dreaming, the production of growth hormones, and the regulation of the metabolism.

Closed: One feels choked up and unwilling or unable to communicate or to change.

Opened: One is able to communicate clearly, even eloquently, and one’s dreams are more lucid.

Heart Center

From an energetic standpoint, the heart center is between the nipples in men, and approximately one inch up from the bottom of the sternum in women. The opening to the heart center is very small, so