Self-Care for Winter: Kidney 1
Located on the bottom of the foot, Kidney 1 is seldom needled but holds major significance. Called Yong Quan (涌泉), it’s referred to often in qigong and tai chi practice as “bubbling spring,” “bubbling well,” or other translations. This is the major point through which we connect with the earth, rooting down with our qi. We can also draw qi up from the earth through this point, just as a tree draws nutrients up from the soil through its roots. Simply standing in wu stance, we can activate Kidney 1 by bringing our awareness to it. Learn more about how to find and activate this point below.
Location: Find this point on the sole of the foot, in the V shape formed between the second and third metatarsals—the bones extending down from second and third toes. If you divide the foot into thirds, it’s about one third down from the toes. Sometimes it can also be found in a depression formed by curling the toes forward.
Uses: The only point of a major meridian on the bottom of the foot, this can have a strong grounding effect. As the Wood point and first point on the Kidney channel, it can also be very invigorating and revive consciousness or “rescue yang.”
How to activate: Apply acupressure by pressing your knuckle or the pad of your thumb into the point, ensuring you feel tenderness. Hold or pulse pressure. You can also use the specific techniques noted below for different issues.
To sedate: To calm the mind, body, and spirit, apply pressure in a clockwise circle to draw qi downward to this point.
Restless mind, trouble sleeping—massage this point or soak your feet in warm water for a half hour directly before going to bed
Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes
High blood pressure, headache (particularly at the crown of the head)
To stimulate: To invigorate the mind, body, and spirit, apply pressure in a counter-clockwise circle to send qi upward from this point. If you have the tools for it or see a practitioner, you can also receive moxibustion on this point.
Cold/numb/paralyzed feet or legs
Infertility, impotence caused by depletion
Emotional paralysis, inability to overcome fear of taking the next step
In general, it’s good to keep the whole foot warm—wear wool socks in the cooler months and soak them in warm water nightly.
Note: avoid strongly stimulating this point during pregnancy, unless trying to promote labor.
These are just some uses of Kidney 1. Try for yourself and see what you feel!
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