Ears

It is believed that a person with thick, long ears will have a long, healthy life and that the personality will be more attractive. The following exercises can prevent hearing loss which occurs gradu­ally as we age. The ears are acupuncture maps of the whole body, containing 120 points. Many acupuncturists now use only the ear points to cure many ailments as well as for weight control.

1. Outer Ear

Repeat the method for bringing energy to the hands, contracting the left and right sides of the anus.

1. Front and back: Make a space between your index and ring fingers and simultaneously rub in front and in back of the ears. (Fig. 4.30(1))
2. Ear shells: Rub the ear shells with all your fingers. This will stimulate the autonomic nervous system and warm up your whole body, especially in the cold weather. (Fig. 4.30(2))
3. Ear lobes: Using your thumb and index finger, pull down on the ear lobes. (Fig. 4.30(3))
4. Ear drum exercises: For the outer ear drum, repeat the method for bringing energy to the hands, contracting the left and right sides of the anus. Inhale and then exhale completely. Put your index fingers in your ears; it should feel as if there is a vacuum in the ears. If it does not, then exhale more. Move your index fingers back and forth six to nine times at your own pace until you can feel that the insides of the ears are moving, and pull out the fingers with a quick movement. (Fig. 4.31) You should hear a “pop” sound, and you will feel that you can hear better and that your mind is clearer.

Inner Ear (Fig. 4.32)

Repeat the method for bringing energy to the hands, contracting the left and right sides of the anus.

The inside of the inner ear, being inaccessible, is usually not exercised and grows weaker with age. These two exercises use air pressure and vibrations to strengthen the inner ear. The ear canals, the nose canal, and the mouth are connected together, so in this exercise we are using the pressure that builds in the lungs and bringing it back up to the mouth, thus adding pressure to the inner ear drums. This is how to exercise the inner ear drums.

1. Blowing exercise: Inhale, fill your lungs and nasal cavity with air; close your mouth and pinch your nostrils shut with your index finger and thumb. Blow slowly out through your closed nostrils and then swallow air. You should feel your ear drums popping. Repeat two to three times. (Fig. 4.33) Do not blow too hard; they can get hurt. You must do every exercise gently for the most benefit.
2. Ear nervous system exercise: hitting the ear drum. Cover your ears with your palms, fingers pointing toward the back of your head. In this position, flick your index fingers against your third fin­gers so that the index fingers drum on the lower edge, or occipital bone of the skull. This will sound quite loud. The flicking of the finger that hits the bones will vibrate and stimulate the nervous system, the ears and the inner ears’ mechanism. Repeat nine or more times. (Fig. 4.34) The activity of the ear will be balanced and the mastoid sinus improved by this exercise.