If You’re Feeling Fear, Here Are Practices to Support You

A dear friend recently came to me after receiving a difficult diagnosis. She shared that she felt overwhelmed with fear, insecurity, and mental restlessness—like she couldn’t quite land in her own body.

In Chinese medicine, this is exactly what happens when the Kidneys, the organs of the Water element, become shaken. Fear is the emotion of the Kidneys, and when life surprises us, Kidney Qi can drop, leaving us ungrounded and unsettled.

Winter is the season when the Kidneys are most responsive to healing. Just as nature turns inward to rest and replenish, we’re invited to do the same. It’s the time of year when rebuilding our foundation (known as our Jing, or our roots) is not only possible but naturally supported.

I worked slowly and gently with my friend, focusing on practices that calm the mind and help the body feel safe again.

One of the Qigong breathing practices she loved is called 'Leading, Spiraling and Packing Qi' which visualizes light filling the lungs on the inhale. On the exhale, imagine the Qi light spiraling around the kidneys, then press the naval back to pack the Qi into the kidneys.

This ancient breathing technique is deeply grounding and provides a calm, clear mind.

Qi is energy with frequency and vibration. Sound also has frequency and vibration. We used the kidney-healing sound (Chuuu) while exhaling, which helps release fear and tension and clear the mind.

We practiced a combination of Qigong and yoga. She was surprised by how much warmth she generated when doing these simple, yet highly focused movements.

As we practiced, I explained it this way:

“Your kidneys hold your deepest energy reserves. When fear rises, your kidneys deplete Qi (energy). When you breathe, move slowly, and reconnect with your strength, your roots return— and the mind naturally becomes calm.”

After a few sessions, my friend told me, “I feel much more grounded again. My mind is quieter. I can rest and breathe easier.”

When we are in a calm and grounded state, which is the benefit of strong kidney qi, we are in a state of homeostasis, which is the ultimate space of healing.

This is the gift of winter practice: replenishing what has been depleted and remembering the steadiness within us.

Hope to breathe with you soon.

From my heart to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie