---

Staying healthy and focusing on the current season: its meridians, its organs, and its elements. The organs, emotion, and bodily functions of the current seasonal network are most receptive to qigong practice during that time. When we live in harmony with the phases, we will be naturally healthy.

Thus, as an example, a person with kidney or bladder imbalances should pay special attention to doing Winter Qigong because these organs are open to stimulation at that time! Keeping that in mind, it’s time to turn up our water intake. The organs most open to stimulation during this season are the kidneys and the bladder. Send energy to these meridians so they can do their jobs of nourishing our bodies.

Winter falls under the water phase. Consider our current season: the life force in nature is the roots. The air has been cleaned and brightened by the winter winds. Flowing water slows and begins to freeze. For people, the Qi moves from the outer paths of the body into the bones, kidneys, and lower abdomen (behind the belly). During the solitude, we have the opportunity to nurture and strengthen our positive mindset and rid ourself of negativity and harmful habits. Winter Qigong will benefit a person who may be burdened with worry and fear. This seasonal practice can not only remedy an existing problem, but can also prevent new problems from arising.

Winter QiGong is for nurturing the kidneys and the bladder, conserving and enriching our essence, and cultivating wisdom of the mind. The kidneys are the prime motivating force for growth and movement, and the water element of the kidneys disperses fear. The kidneys store essence and nourish the rest of the human make-up.

Remember, the practice of QiGong involves 3 aspects: body movement, mental intention, and rhythmic breathing. Good health comes in part from taking in fresh environmental Qi, and to do that we must be aware of how our nature constantly reshapes our world throughout the year. When nature’s energy changes, as it does with each season, it also changes accordingly within us. We must take advantage of this out-pouring of energy from sky and earth into our most important Qi reservoir.

See you in the next blog!

Ana* (pronounced AH-nuh)

*going by Ana now!