肺 “Lungs”

The Lung Channel in Chinese medicine has multiple components, the external channel covers the pectorals and latissumus muscles, travels along the lateral edge of the biceps muscle, crosses the elbow and follows the radius to the tip of the thumb. While the internal channel begins in the intestines, passes through the diaphragm, enters into the lungs and ascends into the pit of the throat before emerging out of the delto-pectoral triangle (the spot just below the collar bone before the line goes upward and onto the shoulder).

Think of the lungs as the organ that generates energy in the chest to be distributed throughout the entire body. The lungs are paired with the large intestine and they relate to the Metal element in five element theory. Metal is known to generate water, think of molten steel cooling and when it reaches room temperature water vapor forms on the surface, this is Metal generating Water. In the human body, the energy of the lungs generates the energy of the kidneys, the Water element. The lungs attach to the surrounding structures in the body through a suction system, the kidneys sit at the lower end of the spine, just below this suction system. In a healthy breathing pattern varying pressure differentials in the chest and abdomen and increased levels of oxygen into the blood creates an internal massage for the kidneys improving their overall function while keeping them nourished with steady blood supply.

Kidney breathing is a term often used to describe deep abdominal breathing, a hallmark of meditative practices. Breathing in this way promotes a deep state of relaxation, activating the parasympathetic nervous system and promoting a state of resting and digesting. In modern society most people suffer from issues related to chronic stress. Kidney breathing is a way to combat chronic stress and strengthens the relationship between the lungs and kindeys. Over time new pathways are created in the nervous system which makes the mind-body more resilient to future stressors and improves our ability to self-regulate or down regulate in times of stress / chronic stress.

Stay tuned for more on the kidney, its channels & pathways and other things pertaining to the five elements, thanks for reading.