What does peace mean to you?
For many, the word “peace” refers to a state in which wars end and nations learn how to get along. For others, it relates to harmonious relationships between friends and family members.
In Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong, peace can include both of these, but it also refers to a specific quality of energy that exists within yourself. Through certain practices, you can cultivate the energy of peace so it becomes stronger and more present in all aspects of your life.
In this blog, you’ll learn about the energy of peace from a Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong perspective. You’ll also learn a ten-minute Qi Gong routine that helps you nurture that potent energy within yourself.
According to Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong, the events that take place in the external world are a reflection of the quality of energy that exists within individuals.
In other words, if hate or internal conflict exist within the self, that energy will often seep out into the world around you and cause social conflict. On the other hand, when individuals are full of peaceful energy within themselves, the external world tends to be much more harmonious, and people get along.
This is a bit counter to many conventional views that see conflict or war as external problems. It’s not that there is conflict in the world, but rather, there is conflict and unhealthy energy in individuals, and that energy sometimes manifests in unhealthy ways.
So, what does it mean to have “peaceful energy” within yourself?
In Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong, peace is connected to your Kidneys. When your Kidney energy (Qi) is strong, the energy in your body will be more peaceful and harmonious.
If you’re new to Chinese Medicine, it may seem odd for an emotional quality to be connected to one of your organs. But, does it seem odd to say that your “heart is full of love”?
Of course, most people associate love with your Heart, and indeed, there is a connection between the two in Chinese Medicine. It may not be as obvious that the feeling of peace is connected to your Kidneys, but it’s really not any different than the connection between love and your Heart.
Based on this, if you want to cultivate peace it’s important to boost your Kidney Qi. Fortunately, Qi Gong offers specific exercises that are designed to strengthen your Kidneys. In doing so, you can experience an abundance of peace within your mind and body.
Below, we’ll share a ten-minute Qi Gong routine in both video and written form.
To begin this routine, stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and let your hands rest at your sides. Take a few deep breaths and check in with how you feel.
Pay attention to how peaceful or restless you feel. Notice if there’s anything that’s irritating you or leading you to feel “off.” At the end of this routine, you’ll check in with yourself again and see if there have been any shifts.
When you’re ready, begin the first exercise, Spinal Cord Breathing.
With your feet shoulder-width apart, inhale slowly and raise your hands upward towards your face until each hand is near your ear and look upward a bit. Try to move your tailbone back so your spine is arching back.
Then, exhale slowly as you bring your hands downward to your waist and bring your hips forward so your spine is arched forward.
Continue doing this exercise for a few minutes. On your inhale, bring your hands upward and arch your spine back. On your exhale, bring your hands downward and bend your back forward.
This is a great exercise for activating your internal energy and Kidney Qi.
Return to an upright position and bring your hands in front of you with the back of your hands facing each other. Then, bring your hands up until they pass your face and move slightly above your head. At that point, let your hands circle outward away from your body and then return to your waist.
Do that movement again and try to enter a state of flow. This exercise is called The Fountain because it mirrors the movements of a water fountain.
This exercise is wonderful for cultivating the Water Element which is connected to your Kidneys. Continue doing The Fountain for a few minutes and feel your body shift into a relaxed and peaceful state of being.
When you’re ready, bring your hands to your side.
To begin this exercise, bring your right hand behind your body and place the back of your hand against your spine.
With your left hand, start making slow, clockwise circles. As you did with The Fountain, try to find a sense of flow and relaxation in your movements. Try to find a sense that the energy is moving you rather than you’re doing the movements yourself.
Breathe slowly as you do this exercise. After a minute or two, switch hands and do the same movement with your right hand.
Place your left hand behind your back so the back of your hand is touching your spine, and bring your right hand in front of you. Do slow, counter-clockwise circles as you find a sense of flow with your movements.
When you’re ready, bring your feet together and let your hands rest by your sides. Take a couple of deep breaths and check in with yourself to see how you feel. Notice if you’re feeling a little more relaxed and peaceful within your being.
If you’re interested in learning more Qi Gong exercises designed to cultivate your Kidney Qi and help you experience inner peace, be sure to check out our on-demand Qi Gong for Winter Workshop.
Winter is connected to the Water Element, so our Qi Gong for Winter Workshop focuses on exercises that are specifically designed to boost your Kidney Qi and the Water Element. Similar to this routine, the exercises in the workshop with with slow, flowing movements that help you cultivate a feeling of relaxation and harmony.
Click on the banner below to learn more and experience for yourself how Qi Gong can help you experience a greater sense of peace in everyday life.
