Tip of the Tongue / Roof of the Mouth

Many people have heard of this practice in the martial arts, meditation, yoga, and even while doing the thymus thump.(Tapping the sternum stimulates the thymus gland to produce T-cells and enhances the immune system.) The practice of keeping the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth helps keep your focus, while meditating, driving, chopping vegetables, etc., keeping you calm and centered.How this may work is easy to explain, and I am happy to offer corroborating evidence as to the efficacy of this practice.The system of acupuncture dates back thousands of years.There are 12 meridians that energize our organ systems.

Two meridians are known as the Master Meridians – they are in charge of all the rest.They are called the Conception or Central Vessel and the Governing Vessel.The very fact they are called “vessels” gives us a clue.A meridian is a line of energy; a vessel is some sort of container. These two meridians, the Master Meridians, are important because they “contain” the secret of energy and vitality.Both of these meridians begin at the perineum – that part of the body between the genitals and the anus. The Central Vessel travels up the front - through the soft tissues of the body - and ends at the tip of the tongue.The Governing Vessel travels up the back - through the hard bony tissues of the vertebrae, over the bones of the cranium - and ends at the roof of the mouth.To keep the tip of the tongue at the roof of the mouth completes the “microcosmic circuit” and allows the energy to flow.When we tap the sternum, we direct this flowing energy to the thymus gland, stimulating its function – producing T-cells, thereby enhancing the immune response.

With the tongue completing this circuit, we can also tap over the right lower rib cage to stimulate the liver, the cranium to stimulate the brain, etc. the tip of the tongue at the roof of the mouth!You will find a spot that feels comfortable about an inch behind the teeth.In the past I have been asked, “What if you wear dentures?”My response has been that intention is of primary importance, so hold your intention and don’t worry about it.Now I know better and answer differently…technology can be useful in ways you least expect.At the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, there is a machine called the H-wave.It is used to reduce pain, as well as to contract muscles relieving lymphatic and circulatory congestion.I gave a talk at the Institute one night about subtle energy fields and mentioned the tip of the tongue at the roof of the mouth.A few days later one of the guests mentioned that it really works.I asked her what she meant – thinking, like most people, she observed the calming, focusing effect.She said she was on the H-wave and her mind was wandering.She thought, “this would be a perfect time to have my tongue there; I’ll be attached to this machine for ½ hour.”

As soon as she put the tip of her tongue to the roof of her mouth, the contractions were noticeably more vigorous. Skeptical that such a simple thing could have such a profound effect, and thinking that her muscles were now “warmed up” and able to move easier, she took her tongue away.She was shocked when the contractions reduced their intensity.So she kept her tongue where it belongs for the rest of the therapy, and now keeps the habit throughout the day.She was at the Institute with her daughter and her mother.She mentioned this experience to her daughter who performed her own experiment and confirmed the results.

When the mother’s turn came, she noticed no difference at all!Then, realizing the mother was wearing dentures, the daughter asked her to remove them – and, sure enough, she could clearly see the difference!So now when anyone asks about dentures, the answer is: always remove the synthetic dentures when doing therapeutic work or meditation. This will allow the free flow of energy within the “microcosmic circuit.”So, unless you are eating, drinking or talking – when it’s impossible – always keep the tip of the tongue at the roof of the mouth!