In the winter the Kidney and Bladder Meridians are highlighted
The element in Water, the colour is Blue and the emotion is Fear.
Here are two videos showing the location of the Kidney and Bladder Meridians
Here is a one hour long Yin Class with the theme of rest and self care.
Butterfly
Dragon
Sphinx
Child
1/2 Dragonfly
Caterpillar
Reclining Twist
Shavasana
Here are two Nidas for the Kidney and Bladder Meridians, one uses Images of you active and at rest, the other an image of a tree through the seasons. Both were recorded live.
The kidney meridian is highlighted in the Winter - the most yin of the seasons, in the winter it’s darker, colder and quieter, these are all yin qualities. This “downtime” is an important part of the cycle of life. In nature very little is growing, it’s all about resting and composting and getting ready for the spring. We also need a fallow period to support the growth and expansion. Supporting kidney energy in the winter is really important - it’s the basis of everything - without this strong foundation nothing else can function well.
Self inquiry: What’s your relationship to winter?
Kidney energy is strongest in the evening and at night, the yin time of day, especially between 5-7pm. It’s good to start winding down for bedtime in the evening.
The element is water - the most yin of the elements - water fits itself to what’s surrounding it - it finds the lowest level. The invitation is for us to become more yin - to rest - stay more in doors, be quieter - take stock - restore. In summer it’s time to go out and expand - winter is time to go in and be quiet. If we’re stuck in the yang of doing our body will give us a sign - headaches, digestive problems, anxiety, fatigue.
Self inquiry: Reflect on the balance of yin and yang in your life. Are you able to rest and have down time? What are your self care practices? Do you take time to be still and quiet? If we can’t feel - we can’t care for ourselves.
Often we have an attachment to doing - society promotes doing - often we feel guilty or restless if we rest - just notice that in yourself - awareness is an important part of the game.
As we age our kidney energy gets less. Menopause is kidney yin deficiency. At these times important to get good quality rest and nourishment. Kidneys are the storehouse of our energy - our Jing or inherited energy and the energy we get from our lifestyle. Being more yin means we can nurture our energy - our will power - our strength…
Water is the element of the emotions - calming the water element can help to calm agitation or upset emotions - a powerful point is K3 - good for many things - one of them is calming after a fright or upset.
Giving ourselves time to be yin - to rest deeply - allows the nervous system to balance - so we can be up and energetic but also we can rest - this is vital to our immune system - a balanced immune system rests directly on a balanced nervous system - if the nervous system is over-stimulated we get imbalances like too much inflammation and then the immune system can’t function properly.
Kidney emotion is fear - and winter time could be a good time to look at what makes us fearful. I’m not suggesting we try to get rid of fear, we need it, it’s useful, it gives us information and flags things that we could address. But maybe we can listen to our fears - invite them to the table and listen (hearing is the sense of the kidney meridian), when we’re in balance with our fears we are open - we are soft and flowing - fear comes with a closing and a hardening.
We tend to think of some emotions are positive and helpful and some as negative - but can be just be with what’s there without judgement - fully feel and then we can flow.
Sleep is key to supporting Kidney energy - sleep is really the foundation of good health - if you don’t sleep well - or wake up feeling un-refreshed - it’s worth doing something about it…
Things to avoid close to bedtime:
Alcohol
Stimulating tv
Screens and blue light
Sugar
Eating
Caffeine
Smoking
Things that can help you to wind down:
Mentally de-clutter - write a journal - write to do list
Meditation
Yin or Restorative Yoga
Yoga Nidra
Calming Pranayama
Make sure your bedroom isn’t too warm