Are you feeling stressed, fatigued, or out of balance? Maybe you've tried various forms of exercise or meditation, but nothing seems to bring you the peace and vitality you crave. Have you considered Qigong?
This ancient Chinese practice combines physical movement, breathwork, and focused intention to cultivate and balance your body's energy, or Qi.
At the core of Qigong is the theory of the Five Elements, also known as Wu Xing. They represent the five phases or energies of nature: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
The Five Elements correspond to different organs, emotions and seasons, and by working with them, you can harmonize your energy and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
By learning and practicing specific exercises, you can feel more ‘alive’, centered and in tune with nature. So, let's dive in and discover the power of Qigong and the Five Elements!
the 5 Elements and their relationship to energy
According to traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, each of the 5 Elements has its unique characteristics, and they interact with each other in various ways, creating a dynamic balance of yin and yang energies.
These elements are not only present in the natural world but also within our bodies and minds.
The Five Elements theory suggests that every living being has a unique combination of these elements, and their harmony or imbalance determines their health and wellbeing.
In Qigong, the Five Elements represent different aspects of our energy, and by understanding their qualities and relationships, we can cultivate and balance our Qi.
Each element has ‘gifts’, observed in the qualities of the different seasons, which we can consciously harness and strengthen within ourselves:
The Wood element corresponds with the season of spring, which is a time of new beginnings and growth. It represents abundance, generosity and creativity.
The Fire element relates to the summer season, which is a time of warmth and expansion. It is characterised by joy, love and passion.
The Earth element corresponds with late summer, which is a time of harvest and nourishment, as well as the ‘transitions’ between each of the seasons, including the equinoxes and solstices. It represents stability, nourishment, and grounding.
The Metal element is associated with the season of Autumn/Fall, a time of letting go and refinement. It brings us the gifts of inspiration, courage and confidence.
The Water element corresponds to the winter season, which is a time of introspection and conservation. It teaches us about peace, flow and adaptability
By working with these elements, we can tap into their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, achieving a state of balance and harmony.
the 5 Elements and their corresponding organs & ‘NeGATIVE’ EMOTIONS
In Chinese medicine, each of the Five Elements is associated with specific organs, meridians (the energetic pathways through which Qi flows) and particular emotions.
According to Qigong philosophy, all emotions, including the so-called ‘negative’ ones, are a natural and valuable part of the human experience. However, holding on to certain emotions, such as anger, sadness or fear, for longer than is necessary, can cause imbalances in our energy body, and may eventually manifest as disease or illness in our physical body.
By balancing the 5 Elemental energies within us, we can support the health and function of our organs and regulate our emotions.
The Wood element is associated with the liver and gallbladder, the meridians that run through them, and the emotions of anger and frustration.
The Fire element correlates with the heart, small intestine, pericardium and triple warmer meridians, and the emotions of anxiety and impatience.
The Earth element is associated with the spleen and stomach, the meridians that run through them, and the emotions of worry and overthinking.
The Metal element corresponds with the lungs and large intestine, the meridians that run through them, and the emotions of grief and sadness.
The Water element is associated with the kidneys and bladder, the meridians that run through them, and the emotions of fear and insecurity.
Qigong and the 5 Elements for specific health issues
At its most empowering, Qigong is practiced as a preventative measure for staying healthy and balanced - physically, mentally and emotionally. But it can also be a powerful catalyst for healing when practiced as a complementary therapy to address specific health issues related to each of the Five Elements.
To take care of your liver and gallbladder, practice Qigong exercises that focus on the Wood element to help improve the flow of Qi to these organs and regulate your emotions of anger and frustration.
To look after your heart and small intestine, practice Qigong exercises that focus on the Fire element to help strengthen your heart Qi and transform anxiety and impatience into joy and love.
To improve the health of your spleen and stomach, practice Qigong exercises that focus on the Earth element to help nourish your digestive system and calm your overthinking mind.
To take care of your lungs and large intestine, practice Qigong exercises that focus on the Metal element to help clear and strengthen your lung Qi and transform grief and sadness into inspiration and courage.
To keep your kidneys and bladder healthy, practice Qigong exercises that focus on the Water element to help tonify your kidney Qi and calm your fears and insecurities.
Qigong exercises for each of the 5 Elements
Here are some Qigong exercises you can do for each of the elements. (NB: If you are being treated for a medical condition, be sure to get the go ahead from your medical practitioner before starting Qigong.)
For each of the following exercises, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Breathe slowly and smoothly through the nose on the inhalations and the exhalations.
The visualisation of particular colours relating to each element is another energy-balancing technique used in Qigong to further strengthen and tonify the organs.
Wood Element Qigong Exercise - EMBRACING THE TREE MEDITATION
Embracing the Tree is a simple yet powerful standing meditation exercise that has been practiced for centuries in China. Slowly raise your arms in front of you until they are at chest height, with your palms facing inward. Keep your back straight and your chin tucked in and imagine that you are hugging a tree. Hold this position for several minutes, focusing on your breath and relaxing your mind and body. Tune into the abundant, life-giving energy of a beautiful tree and feel the emotions of kindness and generosity growing inside you. Finish by placing your hands in front of your liver (right side of your ribcage) and breathe healing green light into your liver.
Fire Element Qigong Exercise - COMING HOME TO THE HEART
Bring both arms in front of your chest, with the back of the hands facing each other. As you inhale, spiral the hands toward your heart centre, as elbows come down by your ribs and your chest rises up. As you exhale, glide your hips back a little and circle both arms out and around in front of you again, bringing the back of the hands toward each other. Inhale love, joy and compassion and spiral the energy into your heart centre. Repeat several times. Finish by placing your hands in front of your heart (slightly left of the centre of your chest) and breathe healing red light into your heart.
Earth Element Qigong Exercise - PEBBLE IN THE POND
As you slowly move your hips back and down, float your arms out in front of you, palms face down, circling them outward at waist level. Inhale as your hands start to return back to the centre of the body and exhale as your hands move out in front of you. As your hands go out on the exhalation, send out positive energy to all beings, and as your hands come back in toward you, breathe in a feeling of being stable, centred and grounded. Repeat several times. Finish by placing your hands in front of your spleen (left side of your ribcage) and breathe healing yellow light into your spleen and stomach.
Metal Element Qigong Exercise - Buddha Holds up the Earth
Round your arms in front of you at waist level, palms facing up. Inhale as you bring your hands up and when they reach the lung area, slowly turn the hands so palms face upward as you continue to raise the hands above the head. Elbows should remain soft without locking. Look up between your hands to receive the energy of inspiration, courage and confidence from the Universe. Exhale as you bring the hands down slowly, turning the palms at the level of the lungs and continue to lower the hands to waist height. Repeat several times. Finish by placing your hands in front of your lungs and breathe healing white light into your lungs.
Water Element Qigong Exercise - THE FOuNTAIN
Gently move your hips back so your spine tilts forward and drop your arms down in front of you, with the back of your hands toward each other. As you inhale, bring your hips forward, gliding your hands up to the collarbone. As you exhale, let your hands circle out to the sides and you drop your hips back once again. Move from your centre, relaxing your whole body and let the energy flow through you like water in a fountain. Tune into the peace and tranquility of the movement. Repeat several times. Finish by placing your hands on your lower back and breathe healing blue light into your kidneys.
THE BENEFITS OF BALANCING YOUR ELEMENTS
With all the pressures of the modern world, where ‘dis-ease’ (in both body and mind) is rampant, it is clear that, as a species, we have fallen out of balance with our natural flow and the rhythms of nature.
By incorporating Qigong and the Five Elements into your daily routine, you can cultivate and balance your body's energy, improve your health and well-being, and feel more connected to nature and the universe.
Whether you are dealing with specific health issues or simply seeking a more harmonious and fulfilling life, Qigong and the Five Elements offer a powerful and holistic approach to energy balancing.
So, take some time to explore these practices and see how they can transform your life. May you be healthy, happy, and in tune with the Five Elements!
About the author: Kerrie Womersley is a Certified Advanced Holden Qigong Teacher and Advanced Soul Realignment ‘Akashic Records’ Reader, helping people discover their true Divine nature. Connect with her by visiting www.findyourselfnow.com.
The Find Yourself Qigong Online Studio is a safe and sacred space, especially for empaths, introverts and highly sensitive people who struggle with the negative energy of others and their environments. Become an Online Studio Member and refine your natural intuition for a divinely inspired life.