The Bubbling Springs Exercise is a great tool for dealing with stressful circumstances. When practiced over time it trains the body to respond to stress in a new way, reducing tension and agitation and supporting a calm effective response to stressful situations.

This exercise is based on the Bubbling Spring points (Yong Quan, Kidney 1) that are on the soles of the feet. To find the point press into the hollow on the center of the sole of each foot that is just behind the ball of the foot. These points are used in Qigong and acupuncture to calm the heart and mind, establish the proper network of relationships throughout the body and support the core strength of the body.

To activate the Bubbling Spring points in this exercise we will use the Three Regulations of Qigong: regulation of the body, breath and mind.

Regulation of the body begins with relaxing the jaw and the neck and letting the shoulders sink down. At the same time firmly grasp the toes to the ground and press the weight down to the soles of the feet. This frees the circulation of qi, which can become obstructed when we are stressed.

The breath should feel smooth, like silk flowing around the body. The exhalation must be longer than the inhalation. This type of breath clears the mind, calms the heart and causes the qi to descend to the lower body. Breathe through the nostrils on both the inhalation and the exhalation. It is important not to force or hold the breath. Overall the breath should be slow, smooth, deep, and comfortable.

As you grasp the ground with your feet, feel the Bubbling Spring points open, then gently press your weight down into them. Focus on the sensation at the soles of the feet rather than intellectually visualizing or thinking about them. This guides the qi in a free and easy manner and activates the points without a lot of effort.

This whole process is done for only three breaths. After that point if you notice the tension increasing again, repeat the process. As the Bubbling Springs Exercise becomes easier and more natural you may find yourself incorporating it into many of your activities throughout the day.

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