A Longevity Practice To Keep You Young and Vital: How To Conserve Your Qi.
As the cold weather approaches we need to address our energy reserves. In the Meridian Flow, we combine yoga and Chinese medicine, which both agree that our energy, known as Chi, is the most subtle, yet profound part of our being. Our energy, Chi, is received through the lungs and stored in the kidneys. The lungs are energetically running the strongest in the autumn, the kidneys are running strongest in the winter. Each season energetically feeds the next season. So the lungs are energetically the mother to the kidneys.
Prolonged stress depletes our kidney chi which speeds up the aging process. When our energy reserves are low, especially in the wintertime, this can show up as fear and insecurity, achy joints, hair, memory loss, and chronic fatigue. These are all symptoms of deficient kidney Chi.
We’re currently transitioning from autumn to winter so we need to make sure we have ample kidney chi. This way we can enjoy the winter, rather than dread it, and have ample energy reserves which provide longevity.
How do we do that? Where the mind goes the energy flows. Both yoga and Chinese medicine agree on this concept.
Try this:
~Inhale a long slow deep breath into the bottom of the lungs.
~Exhale while visualizing leading the Chi in a spiral around the kidneys. Then pack it and store it.
This is referred to as leading, spiraling, and packing, a practice to be done throughout the winter.
This is an ancient Chinese medicine approach that’s very effective and makes us feel confident and secure in our bodies. When inhaling, expand the back waist, the kidney bandwidth, where the largest lobes of the lungs reside. On the exhale, the naval presses back and up to the spine, which lifts the pelvic floor. This action compresses all of that energy into the kidneys.
This breathing pattern and visualization is a great way to start meditating. Having a direct visual to work with helps center the mind and direct the energy with purpose. We can continue this throughout our practice or wherever we are. While walking, especially when it’s cold out, breathe in the cold air to fill the bottom of our lungs and exhale to pack it into the kidneys.
Do this while you’re driving as it creates a very calm peaceful inner atmosphere. It’s especially helpful to reduce stress.
This is particularly useful during the holiday stress. Combining this breathing visualization of leading, spiraling, and packing our kidneys, fills our energy tanks.
This practice can be supported with an inner smile.
The inner smile is another ancient Taoist technique to open and brighten the mind. Research has shown the inner smile increases our endurance to sustain peace and calm n the midst of discomfort. We need this in the winter, especially with the holiday madness and pressure.
And what we practice gets stronger…. So smile and pack your chi!
If you, or anyone you know, could use relief from the negative mindset, anxiety, depression, or auto-immune issues please check out the Meridian Flow Program.
In the Meridian Flow, we give the mind a focus to guide the energy through the meridians while breathing and moving. This creates a Zen-like mind where wisdom resides and a balanced nervous system so healing can take place.
If you are a seasoned yogi or yoga teacher and want to add the appropriate seasonal meditations, breathwork, yoga, kundalini, and qigong practices into your practice check out our Masters Path and the 300 hour Teacher Training. This group of yogis, from their 20s-70s, is so CHI-filled and inspired to enhance their practice with these ancient Taoist and Vedic teachings, which align us into homeostasis.
From my heart light to yours~
Namaste,
Maggie