The Water Element and Qigong Practice: Mindful Ways to Align with Nature This Winter
With just a week until the Solstice, the longest night of the year, it’s the perfect time to explore the Water Element—a cornerstone of Chinese Five Element Theory—and nourish our deepest wisdom. Winter invites us to rest(dare we rest?) and reflect, aligning with maximum Yin energy. Let’s dive into the essence of Water and discover its mysteries and movements.
The Water Element in Five Element Theory
Water, one of the five elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), symbolizes adaptability, depth, and renewal. Here’s an overview:
Season: Winter—a time for introspection and conservation.
Organs: Kidneys and Urinary Bladder—guardians of vitality and purification.
Emotions: Fear, Willpower, and Wisdom—from survival instinct to deep understanding.
Color: Black or deep blue—representing mystery and depth.
Taste: Salty—a flavor that stimulates Water energy.
Virtue: Deep listening, stillness, and resilience—qualities that anchor and nourish the spirit.
“Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it.”
Lao Tzu-Tao Te Ching – Verse 78
Water’s Soft Strength and Fluidity
Water teaches us that strength lies in adaptability. Whether navigating life's currents or moving in Qigong, embodying fluidity allows us to flow around obstacles and harness our power gently. Water’s soft strength encourages us to yield, reflect, and persist.
The Body and Water
Water is vital to our existence, comprising about 60% of the human body. It is found in every organ and system, including:
Blood and lymph: Carrying nutrients and oxygen.
Joints: Providing cushioning and mobility.
Organs: Enabling function through hydration and filtration.
Cells: Maintaining structure and facilitating biochemical reactions.
Wuwei: Effortless Action in Qigong
The Water Element embodies the Taoist principle of Wuwei, or effortless action. In Qigong, this means moving with natural flow and minimal resistance, allowing the body’s energy to circulate harmoniously. By practicing Wuwei, we align with Water’s essence—relaxed yet purposeful.
“In the stillness of the water, we see ourselves.”
-Chinese Proverb
Water’s Deep Listening, Silence, and Stillness
Water invites us into silence and reflection, creating space for profound listening and insight. In TCM, this deep listening is key to accessing the wisdom stored within the kidneys, our reservoir of life energy (Jing).
The Kidneys and Urinary Bladder: Guardians of Vitality
The kidneys are the home of Jing, our original essence and source of vitality. Jing determines our constitutional strength and resilience. The urinary bladder, meanwhile, plays a crucial role in purification, eliminating toxins and waste.
When we nurture these organs, we support our foundational energy. Practices like Qigong and mindful hydration benefit the kidney and urinary bladder meridians, fostering vitality and balance.
Emotions of the Water Element
Fear: Arises when Water energy is imbalanced, leading to insecurity.
Willpower: A balanced Water element enhances determination and perseverance.
Wisdom: Water’s stillness fosters clarity and insight, guiding us to wise decisions.
Join Me to Embody the Water Element
In the coming weeks, I’ll be introducing Qigong movements to embody Water’s flow and resilience. These practices benefit the kidney and urinary bladder meridians, harmonizing mind and body.
Join my live-streamed Qigong classes every weekday morning from 8:30 to 9:00 AM MST and dive into the healing wisdom of Water.
