Exercise #231 – Exercises and Acupressure Points for Emotional Healing, Part 7

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…the award-winning blog of seated Taiji and Qigong exercises to manage stress and balance mind, body and spirit for people of all ages and levels of fitness.

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We’re going to target the kidneys with this week’s exercise.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are thought to be associated with the emotion of fear.  Everyone experiences fear from time to time.  However, when the emotion of fear becomes a constant in our lives, we may find ourselves unable to make decisions or isolate ourselves from others and our health will definitely be effected in adverse ways.

Touching the toes:

1. Sit straight in your chair by pulling up your rib cage but try to remain relaxed.  Your back should be fully supported by the back of the chair, feet shoulder-width apart and flat on the floor.
2. Breathe in and out through your nose slowly before you begin the exercise 6 to 12 times.
3. Breathe in again through your nose then as you breathe out through your mouth, slowly bend your back toward your toes beginning with the lowest part of your spine (in other words, don’t arch your spine, round it instead).
4. If you can reach your toes, take hold of them and use the leverage to increase the bend.
5. “Roll” back up to your beginning position as you breathe in again through your nose.
6. Continue to roll down, touch your toes and then roll back up for 6 repetitions if you can.  Don’t forget to relax and match your breathing as much as possible to your movements.

Illuminated Sea (K 6):

• Locate the acupressure point labeled K 6 on the illustration above from Michael Reed Gach’s book, Acupressure’s Potent Points.
• Bend your knee so that your legs are crossed with your foot easily reachable.
• Press firmly with your thumb on this point on the inside of the ankle about one thumb width below the anklebone.  Keep pressure on this point for at least one full minute.  You may change legs and repeat on the other ankle.

Don’t forget to drink water after you finish the exercise or at any time you feel thirsty.  Word of Caution…If you have kidney problems, follow the advice of your physician as to the amount of water you can safely drink.

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This blog is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.