Your Metal Element is responsible for letting go of old energy, boosting your immune system, and helping you feel clear and focused. With so many precious gifts, it’s essential to cultivate strong and vital Metal energy within yourself.
There are many different ways to boost your Metal Element, but one of the most direct ways is to practice Qi Gong. Specifically, exercises designed to activate and cultivate the Metal Element in your body.
In this blog, you’ll discover why the Metal Element is so important for staying healthy and balanced. You’ll also learn a five-minute Qi Gong practice to boost your Metal Element.
Why Is the Metal Element Important?
In Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong, five specific elements compose your being. These are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each of these have their own unique gifts.
The Metal Element is associated with your lungs, large intestine, and skin. These organs are responsible for helping you process and release old energy. Your lungs absorb oxygen into your body and release carbon dioxide. Your large intestine plays an important role in digesting food and moving waste along in your digestive tract. Your skin lets go of energy through the process of perspiration. All of these functions reflect the Metal Element’s unique ability to process and release old energy.
The Metal Element also helps you experience greater clarity and conviction in your life. It allows you to be in touch with your inner truths so you can move through the world with confidence and directedness. These are important qualities for leadership and decision making.
For a more in-depth discussion about the Metal Element’s positive qualities, be sure to check out our previous blog on how to harness the gifts of the Metal Element.
Five-Minute Qi Gong Practice to Boost Your Metal Element
This five-minute routine includes two standing Qi Gong exercises. To get started, stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Since the Metal Element is connected to your lungs, we’ll start with a breathing exercise designed to help you release old energy and take in fresh, nourishing Qi.
We’ve included this practice as a video as well as in written form.
Slow Deep Breathing
Start by taking slow, deep breaths with one hand over your belly and the other over your chest. On your inhale, make sure you’re breathing deeply and taking oxygen into all parts of your lungs. You should feel your lower abdomen, ribs, and chest rise slowly as you fill your lungs with air.
On your exhale, slowly release air from your lungs. As you breathe out, envision yourself letting go of old energy. Feel any stagnant emotional energy or self-defeating thought patterns leave your body through your breath. By releasing old energy that doesn’t serve you, you can create space for new opportunities.
On your inhale, imagine that you’re taking in an abundance of nourishing energy. Feel the fresh, rejuvenating oxygen fill your lungs with energy and vitality. Your lungs are the ‘gateway of Qi,’ so they’re a powerful organ for cultivating energy.
Continue taking slow, deep breaths for about two minutes. Release old energy on your exhale, and take in fresh, nourishing Qi on your inhale. When you’re ready, return to a still position and let your hands rest by your side.
The next exercise will build on this one by integrating a gentle flowing movement with slow, deep breathing.
Buddha Holds Up the Earth
Bring your hands in front of you so they’re next to your thighs, and position your palms so they’re facing up. Then, raise your hands in front of you and slowly inhale. As your hands move past your chest, rotate your palms so they’re facing the earth. When your arms are fully extended, and your hands are above you, you should be at the top of your inhale.
Then, slowly exhale as you lower your hands back to their original position. Rotate your hands as they pass your chest when you lower them so your palms are again facing up. When you reach the bottom of your exhale and your hands are by your thighs, repeat the process.
Synchronize your movements with your breath. Inhale slowly as you bring your hands up, and slowly exhale as you bring your hands down. Make your movements as flowing as possible to fully relax your body and release any tension or tightness.
This exercise is designed to energize your lungs and boost your Metal Element. Continue doing the movement with your breath for about three minutes. When you’re ready, bring your hands to your side and take a moment to pay attention to how your energy feels. You may notice a slight tingling or a sense of lightness in your body.
If you enjoyed these brief exercises and want to learn more Qi Gong routines to boost your Metal Element, be sure to check out our on-demand Qi Gong for Fall Workshop.
Let Go of Old Energy and Boost Your Immune System with our Qi Gong for Fall Workshop
In our on-demand Qi Gong for Fall Workshop, master teacher Lee Holden shares a variety of powerful Qi Gong practices designed to boost your Metal Element. When your Metal Element is strong, you can release old energy, create space for new opportunities, and cultivate a healthier immune system.
This is an on-demand workshop, which means you can enjoy the recordings from the comfort of your home whenever you want. And because you’ll get lifetime access, you can go back and enjoy the lessons for many years to come.
Click on the banner below to discover how Qi Gong for Fall can help you boost your Metal Element and feel your best.