Five Element Exercises

                    Traditional Chinese medicine believes in the theory that ones bodily health is centered on the balance of energy in the five Yin organs or, more precisely, the lakes of energy of these five organs. There are primary rivers or meridians that flow through the limbs and torso of the body. They also connect and feed the five main organs of the body, namely the kidneys, liver, heart, spleen and lungs. These organs are called the five Yin organs. Each organ resides in a pool or lake of energy. Each pool or lake has an energetic quality and is associated with one of the five elements, which exemplifies its essence. For example, the heart is associated with fire, and the heart energy is considered warm and fiery. The kidneys are linked to water, and the kidney energy is cool. The liver is symbolized by wood, and the liver energy is expansive and volatile. The spleen is matched with earth, and the spleen energy is even and stable. The lungs are married with metal, and the lung energy is airy and wind like.

                        These lakes of energy influence not only the health of their corresponding organs, but also the health of the complimentary Yang organs that are located near the Yin organ’s lakes of energy. The Five Element Exercises are designed to dilate the rivers of energy that flow to and from the Yin organs. The specific movements of the arms and torso help pump energy through the rivers of energy that connect with a specific organ. The movement of each exercise also stretches and warms the region of the body where that particular organ is located.

The following is a description of the Five Elements Exercises.

The Kidney Meridian

Water Exercise (Kidney) Part One

Stand with the feet wide apart. Roll the hips under and push out the lower back. Place the back of your hands on the lower back, just above the belt, on both kidneys. Turn the hips back and forth to the right and left. Let the hips, not the waist, do the work. Feel the stretch in the pelvis and groin area. Allow heat to accumulate in the kidneys and the back of the hands. As you inhale imagine blue energy coming up from the earth, up the legs and into the kidneys. See the kidneys as beautiful, transparent, deep blue glass jewels. As you exhale imagine dark energy leaving the kidneys, descending through the legs and down into the ground.

As you turn from side to side, make sure you rotate from the center axis, keeping your spine straight. Gently press up the Crown Point at the top of your head and imagine that you are suspended by a string.

Water Exercise (Kidney) Part Two

In the same standing position hold the arms like a hoop above the head with the fingers facing each other. Slowly and carefully bend at the waist and rotate the torso. Try to make your rotations as large as possible. Feel the waist, lower back, and sides being stimulated and stretched. Inhale at the top half of the rotation and exhale at the bottom half.

As you inhale feel and see blue energy being drawn up from the earth, up the legs and into the kidneys. Visualize the kidneys glowing a vibrant, bright blue. As you exhale feel dark, negative energy flowing down the legs. Feel the kidneys being strengthened and cleansed.

The Liver Meridian

Wood Exercise (Liver)

                        Stand with the feet parallel and the toes pointing forward. Tuck in the buttocks and roll the hips under. The hands start out facing down at the level of the hips. Breath out and push the palms out to shoulder height, as if you were pushing someone away from you. As you inhale, imagine green energy coming up into the legs, into the right side just below the rib cage, and into the liver. Visualize the liver as a translucent emerald green jewel. Feel the liver being energized and nourished. As you exhale, imagine dark, stagnant energy being expelled from the liver and out through the palms. Feel the liver become lighter and more active.

                        As you push out, gently pull the fingers back, stretching the palms. This will help expel the negative energy out through the hands, and out the palms.

The Heart Meridian

Fire Exercise (Heart)

                        Stand comfortably. Pull the hands upward from the waist with the palms facing the body. As the palms reach the solar plexus, push them out to the side and exhale. Stretch the fingers and feel the center of the palms being stimulated. Feel the stretch in the chest, back, and sides. Let the hands drop down, continuing to exhale. Repeat. As the hands come up the torso, breath in. As the hands press out, breath out.

                        As you inhale, imagine red energy coming up the body and into the chest. As you exhale see dark energy push out from the heart, into the arms and out the palms. Visualize the heart region glowing a deep ruby red. Feel a warm glow as the heart center is rejuvenated and cleansed.

The Spleen Meridian

Earth Exercise (Spleen)

                        Stand with the legs wide apart. Twist the body to the right. The right arm goes behind the back. The left arm tucks into the midsection. Accentuate the turning motion by twisting the left hand counterclockwise. Exhale as you twist and stretch while feeling the lower abdomen being squeezed like a pump.

                        Uncoil and return to the neutral position. Inhale gold energy up the legs and into the spleen. The spleen is located on the left side of the body just under the bottom of the rib cage. Now twist the body to the left. The left arm goes behind the back. The right arm tucks into the midsection. Rotate the right hand clockwise. Exhale as you turn and compact the body. Breath and squeeze dark, negative energy out of the spleen. Imagine that the spleen is transforming into a bright gold shape. Feel the spleen being activated and stimulated. Inhale as you twist, exhale as you unwind. Alternate between turning to the left and turning to the right.

The Lung Meridian

Metal Exercise (Lungs)

                        Stand with the feet wide apart, wrists crossed in front of your chest. Circle the arms up, back behind you and then out to your sides, stretching the chest. As the arms come back in they cross in front of the chest. Stretch the fingers and feel the pull in the palms. Make the circles as large as possible. Feel the back and arms stretch.

                        Inhale and pull heavenly, white energy into the palms, through the arms, and fill up the lungs. Exhale and let dark, heavy energy flow out and down the body into the earth. See the lungs turn to a bright, pure white. Feel the lungs expand and rejuvenate.

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