Want to Feel Grounded?

The Earth Element time of year is when it is easiest to fortify the spleen and stomach meridians. These energy pathways nourish the organs, allowing us to feel grounded as our energy flows in a harmonious rhythm.

One of the healing practices included in the weekend workshops is Meridian Breathing, an ancient qigong healing technique. We incorporate this practice during meditation, as well as in yoga and qigong poses, to give the mind an anchor to focus on, which helps cultivate a calm and clear meditative state.

Meridian breathing in Chinese medicine’s qigong (氣功) practice is a powerful way to cultivate, circulate, and balance qi (life force energy) through the body’s meridian system, which is the same energetic network used in acupuncture.

Here’s how it helps:

1. Unblocks Stagnation in Meridians

Meridian breathing directs your awareness and breath along the body's energy channels (like the Lung, Heart, or Stomach meridians). This:

• Clears stagnation and blockages

• Enhances energy flow to areas of deficiency

• Promotes smooth movement of qi and blood (which are tightly linked)

Think of it like “flushing out” stuck energy using the rhythm of breath and intention.

2. Balances the Nervous System

When breathing is coordinated with the meridian pathways:

• The parasympathetic nervous system is activated (rest and repair mode)

• Heart rate slows

• The body enters a state of deep relaxation, allowing healing and regeneration

This is especially helpful for anxiety, insomnia, and emotional imbalance, all seen as disruptions in qi flow in Chinese medicine.

3. Nourishes Specific Organs & Elemental Systems

Different breathing practices focus on different meridians/organs:

• Breathing along the Kidney meridian replenishes jing (essence) and strengthens willpower

• Breathing the spleen meridian provides qi nourishment that will ground our energy

• Breathing through the Lung meridian enhances vitality and supports grief release

• Following the Liver meridian helps with detoxification and emotional release, especially anger and frustration

4. Cultivates Awareness of Internal Landscape

Meridian breathing sharpens your inner sensitivity, or “internal vision.” You start to feel:

• Where energy is strong or weak

• How emotional or physical tension shows up in the meridians

• Subtle shifts in the body’s energy field

That awareness is the first step to healing—what you feel, you can heal.

We are ultimately responsible for our own healing.

When in any backbend:

~ Inhale golden threads of light up the spleen meridian, from the big toes up the inner legs to the armpits.

~ Exhale down the stomach meridian, from the cheeks down the front body, the front legs to the second toes.

Qigong and yoga help to stabilize energy flow and bring us into a peaceful, contented state.

From my heart to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie