YES, there is a typo, and I will NOT allow it to frustrate me! The Liver/Gallbladder are our organs of ultimate creative expression. They help us process stress, frustration, and anger. These are also the organs we tap into to help adapt to any life change.
The season that shows us the power of Liver/Gallbladder is SPRING. In Spring, the energy of Earth awakens and thus begins the movement and breakthrough of growth: an invisible to visible transformation!
This is Natural law, for the cycle of life to continue, plants must face the resistance of Earth (or even concrete!), seed/bulb casings, and open up fearlessly expressing their true potential in buds, blooms, and leaves.
When we experience resistance, anger / frustration, or feel stuck, we are at our own growing edge. We are feeling the push to breakthrough and fully express ourselves in life. We are feeling the push to become more flexible and responsive to the energies and messages around us.
A strong Liver/Gallbladder energy allows us to be centered in the midst of chaos and see the infinite paths and possibilities. This is how we can tap into our ultimate creative expression in all of life. In our home and work AND within our body.
WIND
In Nature, we can also see the power of the Liver through Wind. It suddenly appears and moves everything around, with unseen force and power. It comes from any angle and any resistance it comes up against simply shifts its path. In life, our Wind moments are when we are seized by the desire to make a sudden change that completely shifts our life path. This could be a job, a relationship, a move, etc.
There is nothing that can stop us in these Wind moments. Recalling these moments can help awaken the power of your Liver energy when you are feeling stuck.
THUNDER/LIGHTNING
The Gallbladder can be seen through the power of Thunder and Lightning. Similar to the power of Wind but even more intensely direct. In life these are moments of conviction that rise up and clear out all wavering and doubt. This is much like a powerful general leading an army against all odds.
Again, recalling such moments can awaken the power of your Gallbladder to help you take charge of your life path!
Zen of the Gallbladder
The Gallbladder is the longest energy line of the meridians and traverses the body in zig zags from the side of the head, down the side of the chest, through the butttocks and down to the fourth toe. Due to location, its field impacts the entire body. The Gallbladder Spirit is like the flowing line BETWEEN Yin and Yang. If it is strong and balanced we glide through life making choices with clarity. If the Gallbladder is stagnant, we can feel very stuck and have difficulty making decisions or we may feel frantic ping ponging back and forth.
Our Gallbladder is also unique because of its connection to the San Jiao meridian. This is the only meridian without an associated organ. Energetically it is thus considered to be the most free to travel all levels of the body and beyond. This is our “DRAGON” meridian!
The Key to Liver/Gallbladder Health: EXPRESS YOURSELF!
The Liver/Gallbladder/Wood energy has to express itself, just like Spring must come for the cycle of Nature and all of life to continue. Many of us have blocked this expression because we are uncomfortable with anger or do not know how to express it. For some, perhaps we are afraid of this power and how it will be seen, received by others. This is why you must make it a solo practice to play with releasing this energy until you feel comfortable with the process.
Imagine the energy of a stagnant Liver/Gallbladder like a volcano that is on the verge of erupting. You can not meditate your way out of a volcano, so you have to work with this energy and practice releasing it. The voice is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to release the stagnation. Take a few moments to tune in and feel where you are holding tension, then play with allowing sounds to come out. It could be grunts, moans, howls, hisses, or a blood-curdling scream. The car is a great place to solo practice. Do this for several minutes until you feel a release of tension. Practice this daily! Soon, you may find yourself naturally releasing the voice in a way that the whole family can enjoy!
Watch this video and discover how you can tap into your expressive super power and “unstuck your uck!” https://vimeo.com/549422519
Another fun way to release this tension is by throwing eggs at trees. The tree energy is Liver/Gallbladder, so they LOVE it! Throw over hand to engage the Gallbladder Meridian line that runs along the side of the body and allow the voice to come out when you throw. Also, stand close enough to hit the tree or you might become more frustrated!
Watch the video! https://vimeo.com/508114113
Yet another fun exercise is: “Shaking the Tree!” When Wind comes through, the trees respond by staying rooted in Earth but shaking their branches in all directions, sometimes even subtly bending at the trunk! Also, the Wind creates all sorts of sounds!
Start by squating down to the floor. As you rise up shake everything, up, up, up, flinging the arms into the sky. As you do this movement also allow the voice to rise up making a yelp, scream, any sound that wants to come out! Repeat this exercise at least four times!
Enjoy this Video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OakgNXU7QSA
Intentional Tension & Release
In this exercise, you draw in all of your tension, contract your muscles, clench your fists, grind your teeth / clench your jaw, draw in the breath with sound…ahhhiieeyeahhhhhaaaa! Then when you are at the peak of holding in all that intentional tension…you let it go! Fling it out through the arms toward the earth, let the breath fly out with an ahhhhhhhhhhhh…Repeat this exercise at least four times!
You can view a tutorial of this and learn more about how to release the Liver through the video below Qigong for Anger Management:
Connection
Connect to the Spirit and energy of Liver/Gallbladder/WOOD by becoming an observer of all things that grow: trees, plants, flowers. How do they respond to the elements such as wind? Do they hold back their process if the weather changes or the environment does not seem favorable to long term growth? Do they stop growing when they are cut back or when part of the plant or tree appears to have died? Become an observerer of the power of SPRING. Spring shows us the visible awakening, breakthrough, and transformation of all of life.
Creativity
The Liver/Gallbladder is happiest when we are expressing its gifts through every aspect of our life. Allow yourself to be playful with this, no rules or competition, and there is no way to do this wrong! Allow your creativity to flow through singing, dancing, writing, playing an instrument, listening to music (Liver/Gallbladder loves all string instruments: violin, cello, guitar, piano), doing art of any form, cooking, styling your hair (or not!), your personal dress style and colors you choose (Liver/Gallbladder loves green!), your gait/how you walk, etc etc. Every moment is a chance to be creative. Creativity brings flow and flow brings greater connection to LIFE ITSELF!
Enjoy this video: Emotions & Imagination: Drawing Upon Wood / Liver / Gallbladder
You can also enjoy my session with creativity coach Mara Belzer: Express Your Heart Through Art!
Healing Foods
In general, anything green or sour goes supports the Liver/Gallbladder. Specific healing foods: eggplant, lemon, bamboo shoots, vinegar, bee pollen, lotus, broccoli rabe, garlic, safflower oil, dandelion greens, ginger, scallions, green pepper, fennel, mung beans, strawberries, mint, goji berry, green apples. Please visit my eating for healing page to learn more on how to support your digestive system and discover easy, delicious recipes.
Spring’s Essence: COLD
During Spring, the energy of Earth is awakening and rising. The visible level temeperatures and weather patterns in many parts of the country are like a rollercoaster ride between Cold / Warm. Essence is an energetic concept in Chinese Medicine. Even though the temperatures of Spring can swing warm, the essence remains cold until we shift to summer.
Exposing ourselves to cold essence, requires immense energy (not unlike what is required of the fellow in the photo) but we may not “feel" the effects immediately. When the cold essence sneaks in it can contribute to pain, headaches, allergies, make your immune system more vulnerable, and even worsen underlying conditions.
So even when we have those blessed 70 degree days in Spring, layer up! It is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy!
LIVER/GALLBLADDER FUNCTION
Remember all symptoms and signs are your body’s creative expression! They are guiding you to connect into the deeper emotional and spiritual aspects of each organ from which they arise.
“The Body Never Lies!” Grand Master Nan Lu
The Liver/Gallbladder are connected to how all energy flows in the body. This flow is directly impacted by stress and how flexible we are in our experience of it. If Liver/Gallbladder flow is stagnant, it can show in the tendons and ligaments resulting in sports injuries. Since this energy wants to rise up and express itself, it will do so through the body creating symptoms such as migraine headaches, joint pain, contributing to hyperTENSION (high blood pressure), and even blood clots and high cholesterol. The Liver/Gallbladder help us express/balance all emotions.
The Liver/Gallbladder shows us the promise of life as Liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself! We also see this promise in the growth of our hair and finger nails.
The function of the menstrual cycle is directly impacted by our Liver/Gallbladder flow. Each cycle reveals how much stagnation has built up in this system. The cycle is also an opportunity to release the stagnation through menses. All menstrual symptoms such as cramping, clotting, changes in flow, mood swings, etc are a sign of a Liver/Gallbladder imbalance. Fertility is also dependent on Liver/Gallbladder function. Read more on Women’s Health.
Every organ system has a window connecting to the outside world. For Liver/Gallbladder this is eye. Every level of our vision is connected to how strong this system functions. This includes how we “see” experiences in our reality. The more flexible and creative we are, the more we will be able to see all the possibilities available to us moment to moment.
Co-operative Relationships
You can see through the chart above that each system is connected in relationship. The Liver/Gallbladder/Wood has a sensitive co-operative connection with Stomach/Spleen/Earth. Just as all things that grow must connect into the Earth to do so. When energy stagnates in the Liver/Gallbladder, digestive system imbalance can arise such as heart burn, IBS, bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and even yeast overgrowth.
The other co-operative relationship is between Lung/Large Intestine/Metal and Liver/Gallbladder. Just like a Metal tool can help keep a growing plant healthy, through pruning, so too do these organs support each other. Emotionally, allowing tears to flow (crying is associated with Lung/Large Intestine) is a beautiful way to soften the intensity of Liver/Gallbladder.
Parent/Child Relationships
The “mother” of the Liver/Gallbladder is the Kidney/Bladder/Water. She must nourish and nurture her child unconditionally. The Kidney/Bladder is where our Life Force resides. Learning how to create balance in the Liver/Gallbladder is essential to protecting and conserving this precious energy. Together these organ systems empower our resilience in life.
The “child” of the Liver/Gallbladder is the Heart/Small Intestine/Fire. Learning how to create balance in the Liver/Gallbladder is essential so the Heart can be nourished and nurtured.
For More on Five Element Theory
For More on Emotions and Five Element Theory
Energy Exercises
Once the volcano has released, you can build your Liver/Gallbladder energy with Qigong energy exercises such as The Four Energy Gates, Qigong for Coronavirus Prevention, and the Dragon’s Way Qigong pose, The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth. These exercises are essential to support your body, mind, and spirit, if you wish to reach the highest level of healing.
Our body has an energy grid called the Meridian System. Like highways, this system connects every cell and tissue and impacts the function of every organ. According to Chinese Medicine, when energy is moving and flowing in the Meridians disease cannot enter and healing naturally follows.
The purpose of Qigong energy exercises is to open the energy flow within the Meridians. Below are two practices: Qigong for Coronavirus Prevention and The Four Energy Gates. Begin these practices daily and share them with your family. The goal is that they become your “healing habit.”
Qigong for Coronavirus Prevention
Energy Movement to Strengthen Lung Function
SPIRIT
The pandemic is challenging all of us at a level most of us have never experienced. And we must meet this challenge to heal. To do so, we must go to the level of Spirit. The pandemic is here for a higher purpose for ALL of us. Open your beliefs to this possiblility and it will reveal itself to you! In addition, practicing the meditative Qigong pose “The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth” will help you build energy and support you to taking your practice to the level of Spirit. In Chinese culture, the Dragon represents absolute fearlessness, mystery, and the power to breakthrough ANYTHING! When you stand in this powerful pose, it is like you are plugging yourself in or opening up for an update.
Begin by standing with your feet hip distance apart. Raise the hands to chest level and point your thumbs at each other in a loose fist. Draw your hands back to the chest, maintaining the position. Now, allow the elbows to relax so that it also relaxes the shoulders and neck. Not horizontal and not dropped fully to the sides. Feel that sweet spot inbetween. Bend your knees slightly and close your eyes. You can practice with or without music / meditation and in or outdoors. Allow your breathing to be natural. If balance is an issue you can open your eyes or stand against a wall or a piece of furniture.
The longer you hold the pose, the more benefit and energy you will receive. Start with 5 minutes and push yourself to hold the pose continuously for 15, 20, 30 minutes and beyond! Learn more about Dragon’s Way Qigong.
Join us everyday at 12 PM holding this pose connecting our healing consciousness across space and time!
Watch this video to learn the pose from Grand Master Nan Lu
https://www.tcmworld.org/dragon-stands-between-heaven-and-earth/
All of us were born with a natural ability to allow emotional energy to flow; however, at some point we disconnect from this inherited power. Observe how children express tantrum energy with great ease moving from floor pounding (sibling punching) frustration, to a flood of tears, and a return to joy and play. We can choose to create a practice of taoist emotional cleansing daily to exercise this gift. Create a safe space where you can express yourself without limit. The car works beautifully!
Phase One: Move the voice
During phase one allow your voice to move. Tune into yourself, focusing on your tension, frustration, fear, anxiety. Then manifest an image of what this emotional energy looks like within your mind. Finally, freely allow sound to be released. This may begin as grunts, howls, hisses, yelling, and screaming. Go easy allowing the energy to flow out of the throat. Our throat is a sensitive energetic location. If you feel stuck in your throat or develop hoarseness, practice Energy Gate One and drink mint tea (two bags) with honey. If you wish, you can put on a song the evokes your frustration and anger. I personally love “Shake it Out” by Florence and the Machine.
Phase Two: Allow tears
"One tear drop can wash away a thousand years of sadness. One tear drop can welcome a million years of joy” Taoist Proverb
Tears are alchemy. We take the invisible energy of emotion and we transform it into visible matter. We then release this matter, cleansing the body. Allow yourself to bend forward or crouch on the ground covering your face in your hands. This position helps the tears to rise. Again, allow yourself to envision an image of your emotional energy within your mind. If you wish, you can put on a song that evokes tears. I tear up anytime I hear the work of Max Richter.
Phase Three: Smile / Dance
Now that we have released emotional stagnation, we can move to a new level of peace and joy. Allow your smile to come from your Heart. Observe yourself in a mirror so you can feel the difference and see the difference when you smile in this way. If you feel moved to do so, put on joyful music and have a little dance party with your beautiful self.
Learn more on the Taoist Emotional Cleansing:
https://www.tcmworld.org/taoist-emotional-cleansing-practice/
For more information on how to care for your Liver/Gallbladder please visit TCM World, explore Dragon’s Way Qigong, dive into Grand Master Nan Lu’s new website, and explore Grand Master Nan Lu on Youtube
