Qigong for Kidneys and Bladder

A water element routine to nourish the kidney and bladder meridians. Kidneys and bladder govern  our general energy levels as well as our sexual organs, and over the winter months we pay attention to them.
If you like, you can imagine the kidneys, bladder and sexual organs surrounded by a very deep blue colour, or even black.

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SWINGING ARMS
Also known as Knocking on the Gate of Life. The fists are loose and knock on the lower back and belly and then on the lung points at the front of the shoulders. The arms are relaxed so that they swing out with the turn of the waist. Breathe deeply and enjoy the energising effect!

SHAKING AND TAPPING THE KIDNEYS
A clearance exercise. Shaking out tension, and then knocking gently up and down the lower back, over the kidney area. The kidneys are located each side of the lower spine.

KIDNEY BREATH
Inhale as you come up onto the balls of the feet. This activates the Bubbling Well of Life point, the start of the kidney meridian, on the sole of the foot. The hands are used to draw energy up to the lower back. Imagine energy coming up from the earth, through the legs and into the kidneys.

TWO HANDS HOLD THE FEET
From the classic Eight Pieces of Brocade set, this activates both meridians and gives a beautiful stretch. Only bend as far as you comfortably can - in qigong we're moving energy, so the length of your stretch doesn't particularly matter.
Place both hands on the belly, legs wide and knees bent.
Exhale and draw the hands round the waist to rest over the kidney area.
Inhale and bend slightly backwards, looking up, as the knees straighten. Imagine you are drawing energy from the earth, up the legs and into the kidneys.
Exhale and bring the hands round to meet in front as the knees bend again.
Inhale and lift the hands to the heavens.
Exhale as you bow down to the earth. The hands can go to (or towards) the feet or to the ground, connecting to the earth.
Inhale and straighten, bringing earth energy up the body and back to the belly.

THE FOUNTAIN
We use the hands here to lead energy along the kidney meridian, which runs from the ball of the foot, up the inside of the leg and then straight up to the inside edge of the collarbone.
Inhale, drawing energy from the earth, up the inside of the legs and to the collarbone.
Exhale as the hands come out and round and down, releasing old or stagnant energy.

KIDNEY HEALING SOUND - CHOOOOOOO or CHOOOOO-EE
This is one of the most calming qigong moves I know. The negative energy of the water meridians is fear, so as you exhale imagine you are breathing out fear. You will feel a wave of peace coming in.
Stand with feet parallel and hip width apart, pointing forwards. The knees are bent and the tail bone dropped a little, as if you are about to sit on a high stool. This frees the spine. Tuck the chin a little so that the crown of the head reaches to the sky.
Place the hands on the lower back.
Inhale, drawing them up and drawing energy from the earth into the kidneys as you straighten the legs.
Exhale and imagine you are expelling fear.
Do this three times.
On the fourth time, inhale as before, but when you exhale, make the sound 'Chooooo' or 'Choooo-ee'. Bring the arms around in front of you as if you are hugging a tree. The knees bend.
We do this healing sound six times.

SELF-MASSAGE
We massage the belly, in both directions, and then rub gently over the kidney area.

BRINGING DOWN THE HEAVENS
Grounding and calming, a great way to end our practice.
Inhale as the hands reach to the sky, gathering heavenly energy.
Exhale and bring that energy showering down through the body, replenishing every cell.

COMPLETION
One hand over the other on the belly as we absorb the chi from our practice.

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ABOUT AMANDA
I've been practising tai chi and meditating for 25 years. I love sharing this knowledge, it's truly awesome.