By Ausar Paumamki
Personal Trainer & Health Coach
In Chinese 5 Elements Qi Gong there are 5 organ systems utilized to maintain optimal health: the Heart and Small Intestines; the Stomach and Spleen; the Lung and Large Intestines; the Kidney and Bladder; and the Liver and Gall Bladder. These are not only organs but systems of Qi or solar energy that travel throughout the body. For example a rash around the eyes could be attributed to an imbalance of stomach spleen energy system which may manifest both in the stomach and on the face. Likewise, joint pain of the tendons and ligaments could be due to a serious issue of the Liver Gall Bladder System.
Now that we have officially entered winter, the Kidney Bladder Energy System is in full activity. This means it is now time for us to rest and fully internalize. This system of Qi is the root of all energy systems that power our body. Its element is water and plays big role in keeping us alive. It is what starts our day and gives us the resilience to step up to challenges. Although it is not advised to participate in serious activities in the winter, it can be augmented by strengthening the Kidney Bladder Energy System. Exercises such as Qi Gong, Yoga, and Meditation are great tools in cultivating this system.
One way of purifying the kidneys is through the use of the healing sound shree (pronounced shiree) of Qi Gong.
1. One should sit with their back straight on a chair or ball during the evening time or middle of the day.
2. Place your hands on top of your thighs.
3. Put your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
4. Slightly tighten the anal sphincter.
5. While visualizing the color sea blue at night, breath in diaphragmatically (potbellied) through the nose for 4-8 counts (longer if you can).
6. Reach back to rub the kidneys (lower back above the waist below the mid back) with palm
7. While rubbing the kidneys, breathe out by squeezing the air out with the stomach muscles (One should not force it. It should be done naturally and with ease) and make the sound shree (pronounced shiree) for the same 4-8 counts (longer if you did).
8. On the top of the out breath, rub the hands down the side of the thighs, pass the knees and return them to the top of the thigh.
9. Repeat this 50 times or more.
To start your day right you should gather Yang Energy. Yang Energy is used with the Kidney\’s to get the body going.
1. Stand with the feet underneath the shoulders and bend the knees until one cannot go further.
2. Bring arms up slightly as if two tennis balls were under your arm pits.
3. Twist your torso right to left allowing the arms to swing and slap against the body.
4. Swing from right to left for about 100 times.
Yoga\’s Downward Facing Dog is a great Kidney Tonification (strengthening) Exercise.
1. Come onto the floor on your hands and knees. Set your knees directly below your hips and your hands slightly forward of your shoulders. Spread your palms, index fingers parallel or slightly turned out, and turn your toes under.
2. Exhale and lift your knees away from the floor. At first keep the knees slightly bent and the heels lifted away from the floor. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of your pelvis and press it lightly toward the pubis. Against this resistance, lift the sitting bones toward the ceiling, and from your inner ankles draw the inner legs up into the groins.
3. Then with an exhalation, push your top thighs back and stretch your heels onto or down toward the floor. Straighten your knees but be sure not to lock them. Firm the outer thighs and roll the upper thighs inward slightly. Narrow the front of the pelvis.
4. Firm the outer arms and press the bases of the index fingers actively into the floor. From these two points lift along your inner arms from the wrists to the tops of the shoulders. Firm your shoulder blades against your back, then widen them and draw them toward the tailbone. Keep the head between the upper arms; don\’t let it hang.
5. Rest in child\’s pose.
