breath – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:50:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/favicon-36x36.png breath – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com 32 32 Fire – Hug heart to heart https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/fire-hug-heart-to-heart/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:15:50 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=5592 … Continue reading →]]> Fire – Hug heart to heart
 
The hug
Next time you go in for or are receiving a hug, take note.  Do you lean in left shoulder to left shoulder, right shoulder to right shoulder or reach for the waist with a side hug? Are you comfortable with a hug? Were you raised with hugs? How long is your natural hug? Do you want to practice hugging?
 
Word Origin
Etymologically, “hug” is thought to come from the Old Norse word hugga, which translates to “to comfort or console”.
 
A lesson from one of my clinical mentors in my Chinese Medicine program has never been forgotten and still settles in my mind and body upon each greeting or departing with the gesture of affenction more than 20 years later. Hugging heart to heart is an everyday Qi Gong practice.
 
How to Give a Heart-to-Heart Hug
 
A true heart-to-heart hug requires conscious physical alignment to connect your energetic centers.
 
Follow these steps:
  1. Approach Left-to-Left: Step forward and slightly shift your body to the right so your left shoulder aligns with the other person’s left shoulder.
  2. Heart Contact: Wrap your arms around them, allowing the left side of your chest (where your heart resides) to press directly against theirs.
  3. Breathe and Hold: Hold the embrace for at least 20 seconds. Take 2–3 full relaxing breaths.

The Scientific Why?

  • Releases Oxytocin: Holding the hug for 20 seconds triggers the release of oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), which lowering heart rates and reducing cortisol stress levels.
  • Calms the Nervous System: The deep pressure stimulation co-regulates your nervous systems, shifting both bodies from “fight-or-flight” into a restorative “rest-and-heal” parasympathetic state.
  • Enhances Emotional Security: Direct chest contact stimulates the vagus nerve, instantly lowering blood pressure and increasing feelings of safety and social trust.

 
Igniting the Inner Smile: Qi Gong & the Fire Element
 
True connection begins with an open heart. Summer is governed by the Fire element, a powerful force that directly rules the heart, small intestine, and our emotional capacity for joy. When our Fire element is balanced, we naturally radiate warmth, enthusiasm, and compassion—the exact ingredients needed for a deep, meaningful embrace.
 
However, when life gets overwhelming, the Fire element can burn too hot, leading to anxiety, insomnia, or emotional burnout. Conversely, if the fire dims, we might feel isolated or disconnected. Qi Gong offers a gentle, moving meditation to clear this excess heat and rekindle our inner warmth.
 
Stoking the Warmth of Connection
In Qi Gong practice, the heart is considered the home of our spirit, or Shen. To harmonize the Fire element, we use fluid movements paired with the “Heart Sound” (Haw). This specific healing sound acts like a cooling breeze, releasing pent-up pressure from the chest.
 
Qi Gong Practices for kindred fire
 
Step-by-Step Instructions:
 
Clearing the Heart (Disperse stagnation, process grief, reduce blame & hatred)
 

The Setup: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees soft, palms together in a prayer position at the center of your chest.

  1. The Inhale: Breathe in deeply through your nose, feeling your chest expand.
  2. The Exhale: Push your hands straight forward away from your body, palms facing out. Simultaneously, exhale through your mouth while whispering the healing sound “Hawww” to release tension.
  3. Repetitions: Repeat for 6 to 9 breaths.
 
By pushing your hands forward on the exhale and drawing them back to your chest on the inhale, you regulate the heart’s rhythm. You are actively clearing away old hurts and pulling in pure, unconditional love. This practice shifts your internal state from stress to safety, making your physical hugs an authentic extension of your inner peace.
 
Opening the Heart (Invite positive energy and possibility)
 

The Setup: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees soft, and arms relaxed at your sides. 

  1. The Inhale: Bring your hands up to chest height, palms facing each other, then extend your arms straight out in front of you. Gently expand your arms out wide to the sides, opening your chest completely.
  2. The Exhale: Softly bring your hands back toward the centerline of your chest, palms facing your body, crossing your arms, wrapping yourself in an embrace.
  3. Repetitions: Repeat for 6 to 9 breaths.
Balancing your Fire element allows you to show up fully for yourself and those you care about. By cultivating a peaceful heart, your presence becomes a safe harbor for yourself and for others.
 
 
 
]]> 5592 Water ~ Fill your bladder with blue-black light https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/water-fill-your-bladder-with-blue-black-light/ Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:25:51 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=5327 … Continue reading →]]>

Fill your bladder with blue-black light

Each of the five elements of has an associated color, direction, sound, taste, note, organ affinity, etc.

The color of water/winter is blue-black.  The associated organs of the bladder, kidney & adrenals are harmonized, nourished & balanced when we utilize blue-black for healing.

There are many effective means to heal with color.  In my clinic, I utilize color and sound healing with tuning forks and color shields as I was instructed by Fabian Maman of the Tama-Do Academy with children & with patients that are pain sensitive to needling. I painted the doors & walls  to correspond to the elemental direction (Feng Shui).  The doors on the north side of the building are midnight blue. Many people remark that Alberta Orchard Wellness feels healing as soon as you step into the building; this is part of the reason why it resonates peace and harmony.  I also change the curtains, artwork & rugs to align with the season.

Application of color ranges from gross to subtle, starting with the physical use of color on our bodies or in our environment to the visualization of color in our mind’s eye. Let’s explore some practical ways to help you find your own way to healing with seasonal colors of water/winter to restore the bladder, kindeys & adrenals.

  • Wear blue-black (black, navy) layers of clothing to strengthen the organs 
  • Style your home or office with Navy curtains, duvet, wool rugs, velvet curtains or throw pillows
  • Bring in artwork depicting water, especially the ocean at night
  • Run a screensaver of underwater life or a dark blue ocean on your computer, smart phone or TV
  • In the north of your home or office, set a dark blue bowl, tablecloth, shawl or scarf in a featured area
  • Keep a piece of labradorite stone in your pocket
  • Drink from a dark blue handcrafted pottery cup
  • Breath in shimmering, deep blue-black of the ocean for 5 count. Hold 5 count. Exhale 5 count. Hold 5 count. Repeat 5 times. 
  • Place your hands over your bladder and visualize healing blue black light filling your organ 
  • Begin and end your meditations with sweeping the body with glistening midnight blue color
  • Connect with bubbling spring (KD1) on the bottom of the foot.  Allow deep blue black water to rise up from the earth, flow through your water channels into your bladder. Direct blue black light to fill then clear any imbalance or blockage. Allow the waters of life to nourish your organs.

 

]]> 5327