by Shawn Kirby L.Ac.

Over the years I have recommended moxibustion to scores of practitioners because I thought moxa would be the best treatment modality for the particular patient and/or condition they were asking me about.  But people often tell me that they can't use "real moxa" in their office because of the smell.  The thing is, most people think "real moxa" means those giant sticks that are mostly green shwag rolled up in Chinese newspaper that smell like a tire fire when lit.  In direct contrast,  Japanese direct moxibustion will work in all but the pickiest offices.  If you can get away with lighting up a little Shoyeido incense in your office, you can perform this technique without any problem.

"But surely those little tiny cones aren't doing anything?" you say.  As I mentioned in my earlier blog, Practice Makes Perfect, Japanese direct moxibustion is the technique I reach for over any other, hands down.  It is a little fussy to learn, but once you have your technique down it is unparalleled for its efficacy.  My suspicion is that this technique drives more of the plant resin into the skin than other techniques, and therefore creates a more marked physiological effect by bringing more histotoxins to the area.  This is all theoretical though - as always for this blogger, I base my opinion on my personal experience and not theoretical speculation.

Which brings me to my second point - this video below also illustrates something else I'm passionate about.  PRACTICE.  Theory is important.  Studying is good.  Books are cool.  Facebook is a wonderful thing.  But there is no such thing as an armchair practitioner.  I think that the current emphasis in the modern west to legitimize our profession by having a solid and respectable academic foundation for our profession is good.  It's important.  It's also not nearly enough.  I guess you could say that I'm in favor of putting the "gym class" back into our profession.  And when it comes to becoming a master of moxibustion, the key to your success is 99% practice, 1% theory.

You'll notice that gentleman in the video is running drills.  He also states that, with practice, you should be able to bang out 60 of these cones in 3 minutes.  (!)  For me, running drills like this, treating yourself to hone your technique (a favored practice of one of my heroes, the incomparable Shudo Denmai) and always working to increase you quality of touch and needle technique are where it's at.  This video is absolutely beautiful.

Thanks to Felip Caudet, moderator at the "Moxibustion: The Power of Mugwort Fire" Facebook page for posting this youtube link to me.  You're the man Felip!

Over the years, I have posted many blogs on the theme of  "Keeping it Real."  Click the links below for more info.

How to Needle Like a Mosquito... Without Sucking

How to Roll Your Own... Moxa Rolls that Is!

In the Footsteps of the Masters: Waichi Sugiyama

Sol et Luna: Alchemical Principles of True Wisdom