Chi Nei Tsang massage is a powerful method for promoting kidney health. It combines traditional Chinese healing techniques with modern massage therapy. This practice focuses on the body’s energy, or *Qi*, which is essential for overall well-being.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of Chi Nei Tsang. We’ll discuss its connection to kidney function and how to integrate this massage into your wellness routine. Understanding this practice can enhance your physical and emotional health.
Emotions of the Kidney
Each major organ holds energy, which manifests differently depending on whether it’s in balance. The kidneys can hold fear when they are out of balance. When they are in balance, they bring feelings of stillness and gentleness. This is similar to the stillness of winter and the gentleness of a doe.
Left kidney issues can be related to our genetic roots or the root of our being. Issues with the right kidney may be linked to intense anger. This anger can stem from events that are too emotionally charged for the liver to handle. This makes sense to me since fear often underlies anger.
The Season of the Kidneys
If you have read my previous Chi Nei Tsang (CNT) article on the liver, you may recall that each organ holds particular energy. Each organ also has a season when it is most active. The kidney season is winter. Winter is a time to go inward and conserve energy for the impending spring when the earth sprouts new life and growth. A plant doesn’t flower all year-round; it needs a period to send energy deep into its roots to build vitality and strength. The same is true for us humans; we need time to replenish and restore. We have a lot to learn from nature.
If you struggle to slow down in winter or find it challenging to embrace the season, I recommend practicing Hygge. Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word that describes a cozy, contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality. Here’s a Hygge book with tips on incorporating this lovely practice into your life. I also found this Hygge game to be a great way to build meaningful connections.
Listen to your internal cravings. Part of being in tune with nature is changing our eating habits. When it’s frigid and frosty outside, we crave internal warmth, so soups and stews are natural food choices during the colder months.
Chi Nei Tsang Healing Sounds
Each organ responds to a particular sound—a unique vibrational quality—that, when made, helps release stored stress. CNT uses healing sounds to help release emotional and physical stress from the internal organs. When I practice the healing organ sounds before going to bed, I like to end with the kidney sounds. Smiling down feelings of stillness and gentleness is an excellent way to fall asleep while sinking into the depths and comfort of my body. The healing sound for the kidneys is wooooo. These sounds can be done sub-vocally, so only you can hear them. The kidney sounds transform emotional energy into gentleness.
Kidney Meditation
Lie on your back. You may also do this while sitting in a chair or standing. Breathe in while expanding your ribcage in a circumference. Feel the intercostal spaces open up on the backside of your ribcage around your kidneys. Every time you breathe this way, you bring chi to the kidneys.
Form an “O” with your lips as if preparing to blow out a candle. With a long, slow exhalation, produce the sound “wooooooo.” Imagine the sound emanating from the kidneys, releasing any stress that has been held there. Repeat three to six times.
Now direct your smile down to your kidneys. That’s right, smile down to your kidneys :-), they are working hard for you, it’s time to give them some loving attention. Imagine a soothing blue light illuminating and surrounding your kidneys. Smile down feelings of stillness and gentleness, like the stillness of winter and the gentleness of a doe. While you’re smiling down at your kidneys, using your mind’s eye and loving attention, notice how they feel, or look. Don’t try to change anything, just be present, listening with an open heart as you would listen to a good friend in need. Keep the thinking mind out of the meditation. Instead, focus on shapes, colors, emotions, and sensations. Most likely, what you feel or see will move and transform, which is a good thing. It means chi (energy) is moving. Where our attention goes, our energy flows. Energy needs to flow through our organs for optimal function.
Aren’t your kidneys cute! Don’t you want to cuddle them? I know I do.
Want to learn more about the healing sounds? Check out Master Mantak Chia’s book, Taoist Ways to Transform Stress into Vitality: The Inner Smile * Six Healing Sounds
Or, how to free up trapped emotions in the body through Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha
In my training with Master Mantak Chia, I learned a lovely kidney/adrenal Chi Kung technique. The person receiving the treatment lies on their stomach. The practitioner then uses chi kung and massage techniques. These techniques focus on the back area, which is connected to the kidneys and adrenals. The back is gently massaged while the person is rocked back and forth on their belly. This continues for several minutes until their ears turn red. The ears are related to the kidneys, and they share a similar shape. This chi nei tsang massage increases blood flow to the area. It warms the kidneys and signals the adrenals to rest. I demonstrate the kidney massage and go over the details in the Pro Mini abdominal massage course.
Chi Nei Tsang Massage
You cannot perform this specific technique on yourself. However, you can try a variation of the massage for your own use. Using your loose fists, reach around to your back and gently massage and tap your kidneys. Do this daily to bring Qi and warmth to this neglected area.
You may also be interested in:
Kidney Qi and the Uterus
Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.