What's THE DER?

Sherri A. Nicholas Author

DER is short speak for "The Daily Energy Routine". Do you Do the DER? Do you know the DER? This post is Sherringenergyteez take on The DER.

Why do the DER?

The DER is short speak for "The Daily Energy Routine". 

Do you "Do the DER?"

Do you know the DER?

Who exactly is Donna Eden?

The DER is a set of exercises or techniques that were used often by Donna Eden in her practice way back in the 20th century. Donna was trained as a Touch for Health practitioner back in the 70's and took that education and infused her massage practice with Chinese Medicine's Five Elements. 

The Nine Energy Systems

Donna's abilities to see the body's energies allow her to see nine energy systems. Here is a brief description of these systems.

• Meridians-Energy pathways with 14 channels with acupuncture points. Carries energy to organs.

• Chakras-Energy centers connected to the organs and code experiences.

• Aura-Energy protection, acts as a filter and a two-way antenna.There are 7 layers of the aura.

• Radiant Circuits-Hyperlinks, referred to as extraordinary vessels or strange flows in acupuncture, an intelligence that can activates inner joy.

• Triple Warmer-Coordinate the immune response and fight flight mechanism, mobilizes during perceived threats.

• Celtic Weave-Draws all energy systems into a network communication through crisscrossing of figure 8’s comparable to a web. It sits in the 7th layer of the aura.

• The Five Rhythms-The Chinese five elements represented by water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The five rhythms are also associated with personality types and emotions.

• Electrics-Connects to all major energy systems at the body’s electrical level, act as a bridge, not an independent system. Energy goes where it is needed.

• Basic Grid-The foundation of all other energy systems and innermost energy in embedded throughout the body, dense and slow moving.

Energy Medicine 

In 1999 the book Energy Medicine was published by Donna Eden and David Feinstein. David is a psychologist and interviewed Donna as they wrote the book. David asked Donna what patterns she noticed as she saw many people of many illness. She notices that there were certain energy tests that when tested positively the people seemed to have more resilience and wellness. Those that didn't or whose energies corrected by doing certain techniques regularly gained resilience and wellness. These techniques became the Daily Energy Routine. 

Here's a summary/cheatsheet on The DER.

Stomach Thumps

• Energy Flow: Governs downward energy movement, symbolizing the flow from heaven to earth.
• Unique: The only yang meridian on the front of the body, balancing yin and yang.
• Function: Tapping the stomach point drives energy downward. Helps with grounding.

Kidney 27 Thumps

• Body’s Battery: First meridian created, acts as the body’s energy reserve.
• Testing: Walking forward/backward tests resource levels; strong indicates readiness, weak suggests the need for rest.
• Self-Care: Kidney energy is paramount for the whole body to function well. Recognizing when to rest is the self-care challenge.

Thymus and Circadian Rhythm

• Immune Function: Thymus is crucial for immune response, influenced by morning cortisol levels.
• Light Exposure: Morning sunlight helps reset circadian rhythm, improving cortisol regulation.
• Practical Tips: Spend 10 minutes outdoors in the morning, tapping the thymus to enhance function.

Spleen 21 Thump

• Information Broadcaster: Spleen 21 disseminates information throughout the body.
• Energy Uplift: Strong spleen meridian energy defies gravity. 
• Where is it: This specific point, Spleen 21, is located on the side of the ribs and on both sides of the body. If it's sore rub it more.

Cross Crawl/Homolateral Patterns

• Coordination: Integrates brain hemispheres for coordinated movement.
• Grounding: Essential for maintaining cross-crawl pattern. Homolateral isn't officially part of the DER but can be tested by a practitioner or if you have the Energy Medicine book there is a chapter in there. Homolateral is a big subject and will be another blog post and possibly a class in itself.

The Crossover Shoulder Pull

• Coordination: Energy, coordination, and clear and thinking. This is a quick way to get the body's energy  to cross the midline. 

Wayne Cook Posture

• Testing: Engage the brain with reading to test executive functions.
• Clarity and Calm: Clearing and focusing the mind and being able to see with better perspective.

Crown Pull

• Skull Movement: Releases tension in skull sutures, aiding cerebrospinal fluid flow.
• Technique: Press into sutures and pull apart; slide fingers through hair to open suture lines.
• Benefits: Restores natural pulsation, relieves muscle tension.

Connecting Heaven and Earth

• Stretching: Deeply stretches for spleen, liver, and stomach meridians.
• Proper Technique: Hold stretches for several breaths, keep knees soft(slightly bent).
• Benefits: Enhances joint health, opens the chest, balances energy.

Zip Up and Hook Up Exercises

• Central and Governing Meridians: Focus on these meridians to protect and stabilize the energies of the body.

Build Resilience

• Resilience: DER builds resilience, helping to recover quickly from setbacks.

Click on YOUTUBE video below to follow Donna Eden doing the Daily Energy Routine. 

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