THE DRAGON Water Element - Kidney

五元氣功

3

“Symbolizing power, strength, vigor, vitality, wisdom, resilience and growth, the dragon thus reflects positive values, and the values of independence, perseverance and dedication.”

The mythical Chinese Dragon is a symbol of the power of the emperor, of divinity, mys-ticism, blessedness and benevolence. It is the kind of power only gained outside of the realm of the physical world - like the sun kings of Europe and the deified royalty of the Maya. The emperor was more than human, but possessed of something that transcended this earthly plane.

Dragon myths exist all over the world, from South America to the British Isles, India, South-east Asia and the great dragons of China. Some breathe fire, others slash with their claws, some have feathers and others are like giant snakes. The kingdom of Bhutan is known in local language as the land of the dragon, and the Bhutanese leaders are called Thunder Dragon Kings. In China, the dragon has closely been associated with the emperors, who took the dragon as their emblem, and the Chinese people are sometimes called “Descen-dants of the Dragon.”

Relying on the wisdom of the old humaneness, the Tao of the ancient emperors (now practiced by strategic leaders) is put forth; this still has great relevance in an age of rapid changes, and hence its appeal. Positive and harmonious relationships are emphasized, with the country (the world) and its citizens enjoying the ‘Big Peace’10.

The Dragon form targets our original Jing essence - centered in our kidneys. This is one of the keys to longevity. As we twist to our maximum range of motion through our spine, we wring out the kidneys and stimulate flow in the spine. This builds our capacity to retain this basic life force, given to us by our parents, of which most of us have a finite amount that we use up during our lifetime. The emotion associated with the kidney is fear; this is the place that is most impacted when we are afraid, and in this world of deep fears, as well as constant media bombardment that triggers those base survival instincts, our kidney Jing is in danger of being depleted.

10Low, K C Patrick, Applying Strategic Leadership, the Way of the Dragon (January 6, 2010).

5 Element Qigong4

I have taught this animal with great success to people with lower back pain and soreness. I worked with martial arts teachers who train in Muay Thai and Krav Maga, who told me this helped open up their lower back and eliminate back pain. One of the common ailments that athletes who train intensively complain about is lower back pain. This is a great solu-tion.11

If good kidney function makes an individual feel strong, agile, and energetic, the descrip-tion of kidney qi deficiency, with lower backache, soft bones, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and forgetfulness, means it is all just part of the aging process. When we age, or have a decrease in kidney essence, the hair thins and hearing is impaired. The term essence is sometimes used to mean semen. Since aging is the result of a progressive decline in reproductive hormones, it is evident that the TCM view of the kidneys must include the reproductive system.

Instructions

From the standing meditation posture, open by raising both arms forward to the chest level and then dropping them back down to the waist. From here, turn both hands as if “holding a ball”, with the right hand above the left at the level of the navel. Step out with the left foot into a horse stance and then sink the turn into the “bow stance” while the right palm pushes up towards the sky and the left hand moves out laterally to the left as if throwing a frisbee.

11 Optimal Healing, Patricia Tsang M.D., 2008

5

Try to turn completely around while keeping both feet planted firmly in a “bow stance.” This is the full extent of the motion. Hold this posture for three to nine seconds while com-fortably holding a full breath and directing the eyes to the left palm.

From this position, slowly turn back to the front into horse stance, bringing the left foot back so that the feet are again at shoulder width and the arms are parallel to the ground with fingertips facing upwards. In addition to the step, simultaneously circle the arms back to “hold the ball” except this time the right hand is on the bottom. Remember, what is on the outside is also on the inside, so feel the points from your lower Dan Tian to your mid-dle Dan Tian becoming full. Repeat this motion on the right side to complete one whole round; three repetitions on each side make a full set. Once a full set is complete, end the sequence by opening the hands down, out, and up and then closing (see closing chapter for precise instructions). Finish with Zhan Zhuang.

5 Element Qigong6

Check Points

Stance:

• Both feet firmly pushing into the ground • Front foot facing forward • Back foot turned inward to a 45-degree angle • Back leg straight and front bent

Upper Body:

• Top palm facing the sky over the head • Back hand facing the sky and at the shoulder level • Both arms straight • Maximum twist in the spine

Anatomical and Physiological Benefits

Not only is the twist of the spine good for our kidneys, but the stance Gong Bu (Bow Stance) brings energy to the kidneys as the back leg pushes the force right up into the kidneys. This, combined with the deep twist,

Kidneys

7

gives a good squeeze of the kidneys from the bottom up and a twist squeezing them at several angles (see figure for the placement of the kidneys). As you sink deep into the stance, you can feel it stimulating your lower back and kidneys. Do not slack, and make sure to sink deep into this stance to reap maximum benefit.

Effects on the Fascia As you can see in figure, to engage the kidney meridian you need to firmly plant your back foot into the ground. If the foot is turned out too far you won’t get the prop-er tension needed on the kidney meridian. The twist in the Dragon wrings out the meridian as it travels up your centerline of the body. The arm positions aid in a further opening of the kidney meridian as well as the psoas. It is important to look at your hand or beyond that to engage the Spiral Line all the way up into your neck.

The lifting of the arm on the side of the body being stretched adds more stretch to the Spiral Line while the lower arm is going in the direction of the contracted part of the Spiral Line, thus acting to increase the contraction. By engaging the Dragon deep into the deep fascia, you will engage the Deep Front Line through the psoas.

Deep Front Line Psoas12 Deep Front Line12

Spiral Neck Line

12 Reprinted from Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists, 3E, Thomas Meyers, 2014, with permission from Elsevier

5 Element Qigong8

The deep twisting engages the Spiral Line.

Effects on the Meridians

The kidney and bladder meridians are engaged by having the foot at a 45-degree angle, turned inwards with the leg straightened. As you twist you can feel “lines” from your feet going up the legs and into the torso twisting. To distinguish this try turning the foot out to a 90-degree angle and twist. You will not feel the twist of the “lines” in the legs. I have my students do this often to show them how to more precisely feel the meridians.

13 Reprinted from Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists, 3E, Thomas Meyers, 2014, with permission from Elsevier

13

9

About the Meridians

The Kidney Meridian - Root of Life, Reservoir of Energy, and Seat of Courage & Willpower

Function and Qualities

The kidney meridian is a yin meridian (flows upwards), paired with the bladder meridian. It controls the growth and development of bones and nourishes the marrow, which is the body’s source of red and white blood cells.

A weak kidney is therefore a prime cause of anemia and immune deficiency.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the spinal cord and the brain are forms of marrow, and therefore poor memory, inability to think clearly, and backache are all regarded as indica-tors of impaired kidney function and deficient kidney energy.

The kidney meridian’s vitality is reflected externally by the condition of head and body hair and is associated with the entrance hole of the ears. Tinnitus (ringing ears) is thus a sign of kidney dysfunction14.

The kidneys are also the seat of courage and willpower, and therefore any impairment in the kidney meridian results in feelings of fear and paranoia, and can have an impact on the bladder. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste metabolites from the blood and moving them onwards to the bladder for excretion in urine. As such, intense fear can cause involuntary urination, a phenomenon also known to Western medicine.

Along with the large intestine, the kidneys control the balance of fluids in the body.

Element: water

14 http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/kidneymeridian.html

5 Element Qigong10

Physical Imbalances: chest pain, asthma, abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, impotence, hernia

Emotional Imbalances: hysteria, paranoia, depression, fear, loneliness and insecurity

When Balanced: wisdom, rationality, clear perception, gentleness and self-under-standing

Peak Hours: 5-7pm

RouteThe Kidney Meridian starts from the inferior side of the small toe. Crossing the middle of the sole and the arch of the foot, it circles behind the inner ankle and travels along the innermost side of the lower leg and thigh, until it enters the body near the base of the backbone. After connecting with the kidney, it comes out at the pubic bone. Over the abdomen, it runs externally upwards until it reaches the upper part of the chest (the inner side of clavicle). A second branch emerges from the kidney and moves internally upwards and passes through the liver, diaphragm, lungs and throat, finally terminating at the root of the tongue. Another small branch divides from the lung to connect with the heart and the pericardium.

The Bladder Meridian – Guardian of Peace

Function and Qualities

The bladder meridian is a yang meridian and is paired with the yin kidney meridian.This meridian is the longest and most complex meridian.

Element: water

Physical Imbalances: headaches, back problems, urinary problems including excessive urination and incontinence, pain in the eyes, tearing and colds.

11

Emotional Imbalances: lack of energy, being inflexible and fearful. Resisting change and basic negative attitude are also expressions of bladder meridian imbalance.

When Balanced: Hopeful, looking forward, calm and peaceful

Peak Hours: 3-5pm

Route

It starts at the inner portion of the eyelid and travels across the front of the head to the back of the head. It then forms two branches that travel down the back to the sacrum along the spine. It then goes along the middle of the butt, and then to the back of the thigh. The two branches then meet behind the knee and travel between the calf along the Achilles tendon to the outside of the foot. The Bladder Meridian ends at the outside of the baby toe.