It’s All In Your Kidneys.
I struggle with chronic pain, which is why I get on my mat every day.
Through my many years of chronic low back pain, I knew it was a deeper issue than just physical. It was an energetic deficiency, and I needed to take the healing into my own hands.
Low back and knee pain are often related to weak kidney qi (energy).
According to ancient Eastern wisdom, as we age, the best thing we can do is fortify our kidney Qi. The kidneys are our bio-batteries, and their energy depletes as we age.
When kidney qi is weak, it shows up as:
Fearful and insecure
Poor memory, decline of cognitive abilities (the brain is directly related to kidney qi)
Lower backache
Knee troubles
Loss of hearing, tinnitus, and vertigo (the ears are the sense doors to the kidneys)
Loss of head hair
osteoporosis/ osteopenia (the bones are the bodily tissue energetically associated with the kidneys and water element)
The winter is the season that the kidneys are energetically running the strongest and the best time to strengthen kidney Qi.
So how do we strengthen and fortify kidney qi?
We use our yoga and qigong practices as an acupressure treatment to stimulate the qi flow. In yoga poses and qigong sets in the winter, we specifically choose the ones that will activate the connective tissue that the meridians of the kidney and bladder (the kidney’s energetic pair) run through.
With deep abdominal breathing, as the lungs are the energetic mother to the kidneys, the lungs receive the qi, and the kidneys store it.
Using our mind and breath to focus on breathing through the meridians (the energy pathways of the organs). This is an ancient qigong technique known as Yi Qi Li, guiding energy with consciousness. Not only are we guiding our energy, but soothing the mind in this meditative pattern.
Tapping on the meridians, the kidneys, and the bones, as tapping stimulates blood and qi flow in our organs, meridians, and bones!
When our kidney qi is well nourished and strong, we naturally have willpower and endurance, sharp memory, ample energy, strong bones, and a tranquil mind.
And the good news is it’s not too late to fortify and build up kidney qi!
On Jan 13-14 our Re-Vitalizing workshops are focused on building kidney qi and restoring it - so we feel energized and confident with a calm and tranquil mind.
Did you know that your left and right kidneys have different energetic functions?
The left kidney is the yin kidney and nourishes all kidney tissue with a cooling essence. Hot flashes during menopause are not necessarily about excess yang fire but more about yin deficiency, resulting in heat build-up.
The yin kidney nourishes and supports the movement of fluids. The left yin kidney rules the life cycle, growth, maturing, and aging. It’s the water of life for the liver, heart, and lungs.
The right yang kidney governs the heat and moves the qi. Lower abdominal breathing raises steam, nourishing the endocrine system, including the pineal gland in the brain.
If the yang fire kidney isn’t strong enough to move the chi and create steam, we practice deep abdominal breathing to light it up.
The yang kidney essence leaves the body during menstruation and childbirth for women and ejaculation for men. Excess stress depletes the yang kidney.
This is the time of year to fortify your kidney qi, and strengthen your bones.
The winter is when the water element is front and center.
The water element energetically corresponds to the kidneys, brain, bones, ears and endocrine system, which makes it the best time of year to fortify and strengthen.
Join us for the winter longevity practices, on January 13 for a Qigong workshop in the late morning to activate kidney qi and the Meridian Flow workshop in the afternoon to fortify the kidneys, brain, endocrine system, and bone density.
Sunday, January 14 for the Wisdom of Yin, exploring the Tao te Ching.
And remember, we are ultimately responsible for our own healing.
Come learn these practices - and join a group of yogis on the path of living long and WELL through the Master's Path or 300-hour Teacher Training.
This practice has been so helpful to those suffering from auto-immune issues, chronic pain and anxiety.
Let's build some kidney qi and age gracefully with solid bones, a sharp mind and ample energy!
I hope to move and breathe with you next weekend.
Blessings~
Maggie