How Qigong Harmonizes the Organs for Optimal Health

What Is Health in Chinese Medicine and How Qigong Practices Restore Balance and Prevent Disease

Practicing the Crane Form (Heart Element) by White Tiger Qigong

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), harmony refers to a dynamic balance among the body's internal systems, the external environment, and the universe at large. It is a state of equilibrium that ensures health, vitality, and longevity. When harmony is disrupted, disease arises.

Harmony of the Organs (Zang-Fu)

The Zang-Fu theory is central in TCM and outlines how internal organs interact functionally, energetically, and emotionally. The Zang organs (Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney) are Yin and primarily involved in storing and regulating vital substances (Qi, Blood, Jing, Shen). The Fu organs (Small Intestine, Gallbladder, Stomach, Large Intestine, Bladder, Sanjiao) are Yang and mainly responsible for transformation, transportation, and elimination.

Key Principles:

• Each organ has a specific physiological role, but it only functions properly when in harmony with others.

• A dysfunction in one organ can affect the whole system, leading to cascading imbalances.

Health is seen as a dynamic equilibrium among:

• Yin-Yang balance ensures proper body temperature, metabolism, and mood.

• Qi and Blood must flow freely; stagnation or deficiency causes illness.

• Imbalances (excess or deficiency) in any substance or organ system disrupt harmony.

The Five Elements Theory

The Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—are symbolic representations of patterns in nature and the human body. Each element corresponds to:

• A Zang organ

• A Fu organ

• Emotions, colors, seasons, tastes, and more as you can see on the image below.

Element	Zang Organ (Yin)	Fu Organ (Yang)	Emotion	Season
Wood	Liver	Gallbladder	Anger	Spring
Fire	Heart	Small Intestine	Joy	Summer
Earth	Spleen	Stomach	Worry	Late Summer
Metal	Lung	Large Intestine	Grief	Autumn
Water	Kidney	Bladder	Fear	Winter

According to TCM Health is Harmony Between All the Organs

Clarifications and Examples on Generating and Controlling Cycles and How Disharmony in Both Can Manifest as Physical or Emotional Symptoms.

These are just some examples. Please, expect a more profoung article on these important relationships and their manifestation in the physical body and the emotional well-being. 

Generating Cycle – Nurturing Relationships

This is the outer circle with solid arrows in the diagram. It reflects how each element supports and nourishes the next. The one which supports is called “the mother” and the one, which has been supported is the “child”. For example:

Metal ➝ Water

1. The Lungs (Metal) govern respiration and skin, aiding in fluid metabolism, which supports the Kidneys (Water).

2. Grief (Metal), when resolved, cultivates courage (Water) to face fears.

Water ➝ Wood

1. The Kidneys (Water) store Essence (Jing) and provide the foundation for Liver (Wood) function, including detoxification and planning.

2. Kidney Yin and Jing nourish the Liver, enabling smooth flow of Qi and emotional balance.

Controlling Cycle – Regulatory/Restraint Relationships

This is the inner star with dashed arrows. It ensures balance and prevents any one element from becoming excessive. For example:

Wood and Earth

1. The Liver (Wood) controls the Spleen (Earth).

2. If Liver Qi is excessive (e.g., from chronic stress/anger), it overacts on the Spleen, causing digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea.

Metal and Wood

1. The Lungs (Metal) control the Liver (Wood).

2. Lungs distribute Qi and restrain Liver’s upward movement. Weak Metal allows Liver Qi to rise unchecked, resulting in headaches or irritability.

An Example On Disharmony in the Generating Cycle

1. These imbalances occur when:

   • The “mother” is weak and cannot nourish the “child,” or

   • The “child” drains too much from the “mother.”

   Liver (Wood) fails to nourish Heart (Fire)

   • Emotional cause: Suppressed anger, frustration

   • Symptoms:

     • Insomnia or vivid dreams

     • Anxiety or palpitations

     • Poor memory or mental restlessness

   • Example: A person with chronic Liver Qi stagnation (anger held in) may develop Heart Fire signs — like insomnia or irritability.

   An Example On Disharmony in the Controlling Cycle

   
   

   These occur when:

   • The controlling organ over-controls, or

   • The organ being controlled rebels.

   Spleen (Earth) fails to control Kidney (Water)

   • Emotional cause: Worry weakens Earth

   • Symptoms:

     • Fluid retention

     • Lower back or knee weakness

   • Example: Dampness accumulates due to a weak Spleen and cannot be controlled, burdening the Kidneys and causing edema.

   Disharmony in TCM isn’t just about physical symptoms—it reflects deeper imbalances between organs, emotions, and elements. Restoring harmony means not only treating the symptoms but also correcting the relationship dynamics between the Zang-Fu organs.

   
   

   Qigong in TCM: A Tool to Restore Organ Harmony

   Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses Qigong as a therapeutic method to restore balance and harmony among the organs. It is considered a core healing practice alongside acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy, and Tuina massage.

   The goal of Qigong is to regulate the flow of Qi (vital energy) through the body’s meridians and organ systems, thus restoring harmony and promoting health.

   
   

   How Qigong Restores Organ Balance?

   1. Balances Yin-Yang within Organs

   • Certain Qigong sets emphasize calming Yin organs (e.g., Kidney and Liver) or strengthening Yang organs (e.g., Heart and Spleen).

   • Through breathwork and slow, conscious movement, Qi is directed to areas of deficiency or excess.

   2. Regulates the Five Elements

   Each organ system corresponds to an element, and Qigong exercises can be tailored to:

   • Tonify an element (e.g., strengthen Wood by nourishing the Liver)

   • Disperse excess (e.g., cool Heart Fire with Kidney-breathing Qigong)

   For example:

   • Liver Qigong (Wood): Smoothes Liver Qi to prevent overacting on the Spleen.

   • Heart Qigong (Fire): Opens the chest, calms the Shen (mind), and regulates Heart Fire.

   • Lung Qigong (Metal): Encourages deep breathing to strengthen Lung Qi and release grief.

   3. Emotional Regulation

   Each organ is tied to an emotion:

   • Liver – Anger

   • Heart – Joy

   • Spleen – Worry

   • Lung – Grief

   • Kidney – Fear

   Qigong harmonizes these emotions by:

   • Activating energy centers (Dantian)

   • Releasing emotional blockages

   • Cultivating inner stillness and mindfulness

   4. Supports Homeostasis

   • Enhances Qi and Blood circulation

   • Balances Yin and Yang, Heat and Cold, Deficiency and Excess

   • Strengthens the body's Wei Qi (defensive energy)

   
   

2. Qigong contributes to internal homeostasis, a key TCM concept of health, by facilitating self-regulation and energy conservation.

   
   

   Ba Duan Jin (The 8 Brocades): The simplest and most well-known Medical Qigong routine

   Each of the eight movements targets specific meridians, Zang-Fu organs, and energetic imbalances. It regulates Qi and Blood flow, stretches meridian pathways, balances Yin and Yang, and harmonizes emotions, thereby supporting organ health.

   The 8 Brocades (Ba Duan Jin) and Their Effects on Organs

Move	Primary Organ Focus	Function and TCM Interpretation
Two Hands Hold Up the Sky	Triple Burner (regulates whole body)	Harmonizes Qi flow in the upper, middle, and lower jiao, stimulates metabolism, regulates internal organs
Draw the Bow to Shoot the Hawk	Liver & Lungs	Opens the chest and Lung Qi, strengthens Liver, promotes emotional regulation (anger/grief), strengthens immunity
Separate Heaven and Earth	Stomach & Spleen	Stimulates digestive function, balances Earth element, relieves abdominal stagnation, supports Qi production
Wise Owl Gazes Backward	Heart & Kidneys	Opens Heart and calms Shen (mind), nourishes Kidney Yin, improves vision and circulation, clears excess Fire
Sway the Head and Shake the Tail	Heart & Liver	Eliminates Heart Fire via the Kidneys, calms emotional agitation, releases Liver Qi stagnation
Two Hands Hold the Feet	Kidney & Bladder	Stimulates Kidney Jing (essence) and lumbar area, enhances flexibility, tonifies Lower Jiao, supports reproduction
Clench Fists and Glaring Eyes	Liver	Increases internal strength, regulates Liver Yang, improves coordination, enhances assertiveness and confidence
Tapping the Heels to Prevent 100 Diseases	Kidney, Lungs & Heart	Causes a vibration through the spine and body, stimulating the Kidneys, bladder meridian, and central nervous system.

The Sophisticated Routine: 5 Elements by White Tiger Qigong

Another Qigong routine which I teach at Shen Qigong Studio is 5 Elements by White Tiger Qigong which is a sophisticated system of movements including the 6 healing sounds.

The Five Elements Qigong by White Tiger Qigong is a powerful and sophisticated integration of traditional Five Element theory, modern biomechanics, and internal cultivation.

It is a movement-rich,  dynamic routine that incorporates spiral movements, fascia activation, emotional alchemy, Six Healing Sounds, and breathwork.

Element	Organ(s)	Movement Focus	Healing Sound	Regulation Function
Wood	Liver / Gallbladder	Twisting, coiling, lateral expansion	Xu	Smooths Liver Qi, reduces stagnation and anger, supports vision and flexibility
Fire	Heart / Small Intestine	Chest opening, upward spirals	Ha	Clears Heart Fire, calms Shen, regulates joy/excitement
Earth	Spleen / Stomach	Rooting, spiraling through the legs, twisting through the abdomen	Hu	Grounds Qi, strengthens digestion, transforms worry/rumination
Metal	Lungs / Large Intestine	Expanding and compressing the chest, breathing deep into the rib cage	Si	Opens Lung Qi, resolves grief, supports immunity
Water	Kidneys / Bladder	Coiling through the spine, sinking downward, storing energy	Chui	Nourishes Kidney Jing, anchors Qi, transforms fear into willpower

This is how Qigong contributes to the harmony of your organs—by restoring balance, enhancing vitality, and aligning body, breath, and intention. At Shen Qigong Studio, you can learn both Ba Duan Jin and the Five Elements Qigong, gaining the tools to support your health naturally. These powerful practices can be integrated into your daily routine for lasting well-being.