Living the Fall Element Part 2: The Breath of Autumn

Part 2: The Breath of Autumn — Strengthening Lung Qi and Immunity

In our exploration of the Metal Element, we began with the emotional work of autumn, which involves establishing boundaries and releasing grief. Now, we turn to the element’s primary physical expression: The Lungs.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Lungs are considered the most delicate of the organs, as they face the outside world with every breath, yet they hold the key to our immunity and vitality.

The Lungs: Governor of Qi and Defense

The Lungs are responsible for two crucial functions that dictate your health during the cold season:

1. Governing the Qi (Vital Energy)

The Lungs take the "pure Qi" from the air and mix it with the "pure Qi" extracted from food (by the Spleen) to create usable, circulating energy for the body. This is why when your Lungs are weak, you feel generally weak and fatigued.

2. Controlling the Wei Qi (Protective Qi/Immunity)

The Lungs disperse Wei Qi (pronounced 'way-chee')—our protective energy—outward to the surface of the body, creating a defensive barrier. This is your immune system shield, residing just under the skin. When the weather changes quickly, or you encounter a virus, strong Wei Qi locks the gate and keeps pathogens out. Weak Lung Qi means weak Wei Qi, making you susceptible to colds, dry skin, and allergies.

The Golden Rule of Autumn: Nourish your Lung Qi to strengthen your Wei Qi.

Protocols for Autumnal Lung Health

The Metal element asks us to inhale purity and exhale waste. These simple, daily practices work directly on the Lung meridian to boost your immune defense and emotional resilience.

Technique 1: The Abdominal Clarity Breath (Diaphragmatic Breathing)

Since the Lungs draw in the essence of the season (clarity), proper breathwork is paramount. This technique maximizes your lung capacity and helps move stagnant grief out of the chest.

Protocol:

1. Posture: Lie on your back or sit upright in a comfortable chair. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen*, just below the ribs.
2. Inhale: Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of four. You should feel the hand on your abdomen rise, while the hand on your chest remains still. Imagine drawing in cool, pure autumn air.
3. Exhale: Purse your lips slightly and exhale slowly for a count of six. Gently contract your abdominal muscles to ensure all the air (and old, stagnant energy) is pushed out. Imagine releasing any lingering worries or sadness with the breath.
4. Repetition: Practice 5-10 full cycles daily, especially upon waking or before sleep.

*To incorporate more of the Metal Element, place one of your hands on your chest and the other on your Dan Tien, which is two finger widths below your navel. When you exhale, focus on pulling your lower belly muscles in towards the back of your spine.

Technique 2: Activating the Lung 7 Point (LU-7) for Immunity

Lung 7 is one of the most powerful acupressure points on the Lung meridian, frequently used to prevent and treat colds, coughs, and sore throats. It is also excellent for connecting with the emotion of courage.

Protocol:

1. Locate: Hold your hand out with the palm facing up. Run your finger up your arm from your thumb, stopping just above the wrist crease. Measure 1 to 1.5 thumb widths from the crease of your wrist and find a small depression; you may also find a tender spot. The point is above the most prominent wrist bone.
2. Pressure: Apply light pressure (use what is most comfortable to you; a gentle touch works well) to this point with the tip of your middle finger on your other hand for 1-3 minutes.
3. Focus: As you hold the acupressure point, visualize a silver-white light (the color of Metal) flowing from the point up into your chest, clearing and strengthening your Lungs.
4. Repeat: Switch hands and repeat on the other side. This is a wonderful self-care practice to integrate during cold and flu season. It is also a good acupressure point for headaches.
5. Resource: If you want a visual of the location of this acupressure point, you can use Google or your favorite search engine for the image. 

Technique 3: Movement-Open Chest and Flow Freely & Human Touching Divine-EEM (Alternative Technique Releasing Stagnation)

Grief and sadness cause us to contract, hunching the shoulders and restricting Lung capacity. This simple movement releases tension and opens the chest, allowing Qi to flow freely. This technique has elements of Eden Energy Medicine’s Human Touching Divine.

Protocol: Open Chest and Flow Freely

1. Inhale: stand tall and interlace your fingers behind your back.
2. Exhale: Lift and Gaze: As you inhale, gently straighten your arms, drawing your shoulders back and down. If comfortable, lift your interlaced hands slightly away from your back and lift your gaze toward the ceiling.
3. Hold: Hold the posture for 3-5 deep breaths, feeling the gentle stretch across your chest and the front of your shoulders.
4. Release: On the final exhale, gently release your hands. Notice the feeling of expansion and lightness in your chest.

EEM- Human Touching the Divine

1. Rest your hands on the outside of your legs. (where your pant seams are)
2. Outstretch your hands on either side of your body and palms facing forward.
3. Inhale: lift your chest, opening your front and allowing your arms to reach back behind you. Get a really nice full breath
4.  Exhale: with the sound of “Sssssssssss” like a tire or balloon losing air, slowly round your arms and curve your chest as if you are holding a large beach ball. Feel the fullness of the ball that you are holding and allow your fingers to meet about 2 feet apart from each other.
5. Inhale: lift your chest, opening your front and allowing your arms to reach back behind, let your head drop back to see the heavens, and fill your lungs with love and hope.
6. Exhale: with the sound of “Sssssssssss”, round your arms and chest into holding the ball once again, as you bring your hands closer, allow your fingers to almost touch, about 3 inches apart from the tips. As you round your body, imagine the ball is the world. Let go of your worries and sadness about the world.
7. Inhale: lift your chest, opening your front and allowing your arms to reach back behind you as far as possible. Let your head drop back to see the heavens, and breathe in love, compassion, and kindness.
8. Exhale: with the sound of “Sssssssssss”, round your arms and chest, this time allow your finger to touch, imagine it is everyone and everything that you love the most in life, and you are lovingly embracing it. Cross your hands one on top of the other and place your folded hands on your Heart Chakra.
9. Inhale one more deep breath with love and Exhale with love.

The Lungs thrive on purity, clarity, and adequate moisture. By committing to these three simple protocols—Breath, Acupressure, and Movement, you are creating a resilient internal environment that is strong enough to weather the physical and emotional transitions of autumn.

Next, we address the other half of the Metal pair: Part 3: The Art of Detachment — Supporting Your Large Intestine. This organ is responsible for physical and emotional release, ensuring the purity of your body’s inner sanctuary.

Namaste,

Lizz