“Cycle of Creation” Series – Kidneys & Fear
In this Blog I will address the kidneys and fear and how this can relate to anxiety disorder, panic attacks and even post-traumatic stress (PTSD).
Kidneys and Fear
The kidneys are the size of your fists in the lower aspect of your abdomen. According to the ancient Chinese, the kidneys hold fear, fight or flight, nervous tension and the fear of the unknown. Think about it, do you not sometimes feel tension in your lower back region when you are stressed?
The adrenal glands are like little brains or caps that sit atop each kidney. These endocrine glands secrete cortisol and adrenalin and when in excess can cause an adrenal overload or often adrenal fatigue. This adrenal overload also greatly stresses the kidneys.
The kidneys are the ‘water’ element as reflected in the Cycle of Creation. For most people water will bring on a feeling of peace, joy and tranquility. This what all people crave, especially when stressed to the max!
As can be seen from the Cycle of Creation the metal element or rocks of the lungs support the water of the kidneys, as the rocks support the water in nature.
Kidneys and Fear and Using the Breath
So, as the lungs support the kidneys, it only stands to reason that the breath is very important to the well being of the kidneys. In fact I often suggest to my clients that the breath is actually your best friend where anxiety is concerned. When we have a full fledged ‘panic attack’ our diaphragm freezes and has very limited movement. The lungs therefore have very little capacity to take in a full breath.
People that report panic attacks share the experience of shortness of breath, a struggle getting a breath in at all, heart palpitations, and often sweating. It is a very frightening experience, and is frequently set off by a present moment event that actually triggers memory within the body from a past experience.
There is often a feeling of leaving the body and not being in touch at all with the lower aspect of the body (waist down). These people therefore do not have a sense of grounded-ness. In short they simply are not ‘grounded’.
Learning how to breathe properly and learning how to ground with the breath will help you not only recover from a panic attack, but will actually prevent future panic attack episodes.
So with further to my Lungs and Grief blog, if the lungs which support the kidneys, are not fully expanded, this can stress out the kidneys and adrenals. Where an extreme shallow breath, can sometimes indicate sadness or depression, the next emotion to kick in will most definitely be ANXIETY.
Please review the breath technique as outlined on my previous Lungs and Grief blog. Practice this daily and before too long it will come naturally!
Deborra Cameron offers a series of Qi Gong classes. Through this ancient practice discover which emotions relate to each organ, and learn how to release these emotions bringing healing to each of the organs. Contact her to find out more; Deborra Cameron soletosoulholistics@rogers.com