Kidney One the Bubbling Spring
When practicing Tai Chi it is said your weight should be balanced on the acupuncture point Kidney 1 (Horwood 2008, Chia 1986). This point is traditionally described as the 'bubbling spring' (Acupuncture.com 2024, Reninger 2019) the name often related to the kidney meridians link and the element of water. It is said to be the point that we root into the ground finding the stability that gives power of action.
May I offer a different Embodied Tai Chi perspective to the 'bubbling spring' interpretation. By relaxing the tendons that run from the toes under each foot we can create the sensation of softness. This may feel like standing bare foot on a soft carpet or thick mossy grass. Our connection with the ground is cushioned, almost as if we are floating on a bubbling spring of warm water emanating from the earth under our feet.
This is very different from the concept of being firmly rooted to the ground. There is no intention of firmness only the relaxed awareness we seek in Embodied Tai Chi. In this way we let go of direct control and become sensitive (Crane and Payne 2019) to gravity (Borunda 2023, Peshin 2018). A sensitivity to gravity discussed in terms of the martial application of the eight primary movements of traditional Tai Chi (Wollering 2012, Mackay 2014).
Perhaps we can perceive this act as our conscious mind allowing and then observing our autonomic nervous system to find perfect balance. We find stability in our ever changing relationship with the Earth.
Here we have two interpretations of the translation 'bubbling spring' as it relates to the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong. The traditional interpretation relating to physical organs of the body understood through our perception of natural elements, in this case water. We also introduced a second somatic interpretation based on the term 'bubbling spring' being a description of an internal sensation or feeling.
An Embodied Tai Chi perspective may be seen as being less about forcing our will upon the world and rather more about unfolding a sensitivity in order to better perceive our interplay with our environment.
Reference
Acupuncture.com (2024) Kidney; https://www.acupuncture.com/education/points/kidney/kid1.htm , accessed 17th June 2024
Borunda Mario (2023) Einstein’s Insight: Why Does Gravity Pull Us Down and Not Up?; https://scitechdaily.com/einsteins-insight-why-does-gravity-pull-us-down-and-not-up/ , accessed 18th June 2024 , Doc; 20240618 Gravity
Chia Mantak (1986) Iron Shirt Chi Kung I; New York, Healing Tao Books p.119
Crane-Godreau Mardi and Payne Peter (2019) What do the Martial Arts have to offer?; http://www.bodymindscience.info/2018/08/15/what-do-the-martial-arts-have-to-offer/?fbclid=IwAR2ua0xI8DA7Acs2xVtryfmn1m-3uy_97NW78Vkw-FpGk7aAlfZDT_wHPxM, accessed 24th November 2019, Doc; 20191124 HANDOUT mind body DNI
Horwood Graham (2008) Tai Chi Chuan and the Code of Life; London, Singing Dragon p.97
Mackay Vincent (2014) The Eight Gates of Tai Chi; https://modern-wushu.fandom.com/wiki/The_Eight_Gates_of_Taichi , accessed 16th August 2020, Doc; Cai
Peshin Akash (2018) Why Is Gravity Not A Force That Pulls?; https://www.scienceabc.com/eyeopeners/why-gravity-is-not-a-force-that-pulls.html , accessed 18th June 2024, Doc: 20240618 Gravity
Reninger Elizabeth (2019) Yong Quan & The Five-Element System
; https://www.learnreligions.com/acupressure-treasures-yong-quan-gushing-bubbling-spring-3182284 , accessed 17th June 2024
Wollering Loretta (2012) What are the Eight Gates of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan), and How Are They Used?; https://internalgardens.com/eight-gates-of-tai-chi-chuan-taijiquan-how-they-used/ , accessed 16th August 2020 , Doc; Cai
