Balance Your Nervous System With Daoist Practices And Qigong
- Jan 17, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 19, 2025
Nicole Lee is an experienced Qigong Teacher, Practitioner and Holistic Health mentor. After delivering thousands of classes and workshops and over a decade of devotion to Qigong, she specialises in training others to share this subtle, yet powerful modality.
The nervous system is an intricate, energetic network that shapes how we interact with the world. While modern science tends to break it down into a series of nerves, neurotransmitters, and electrical signals, Oriental Medicine and Daoist tradition offer a much broader, more integrated view. These perspectives remind us that the health of our nervous system is not just about physical structures but about the energy that flows through our body and how we align with the natural rhythms of life.
Understanding the nervous system through oriental medicine
In Western medicine, the nervous system is often treated as a mechanical system, with separate parts that can be fixed or manipulated. Oriental Medicine, however, sees it as part of a larger, interconnected whole. The nervous system is deeply intertwined with the energy flow throughout the body, and imbalances in our internal Qi can directly influence its functioning. This holistic approach looks at the body, mind, and spirit as a unified system, where the nervous system is not an isolated entity but an essential part of the body’s dynamic energy flow.
How the kidneys and liver support nervous system health
Key organs like the Kidneys and Liver are vital for the health of the nervous system. The Kidneys store our Jing (Essence), the foundational energy that supports us throughout life. The Liver, on the other hand, is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, impacting our ability to manage stress and emotional turbulence. When the Liver Qi stagnates, it can cause tension, irritability, and mental strain disruptions that ripple throughout the nervous system. The health of the nervous system, therefore, relies on the balance of our internal energy and our ability to release what no longer serves us.
The Daoist perspective on nervous system balance
Daoism teaches that the nervous system is a reflection of our relationship with the natural world. It emphasises balance, Yin and Yang, activity and rest, and inward and outward energy. When these energies are in harmony, the nervous system functions smoothly. Too much Yang excessive stress or activity can lead to overstimulation and conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and mental exhaustion. On the other hand, too much Yin, lack of activity, or depletion can result in lethargy, depression, and emotional disengagement. In Daoism, the practice is in nurturing both energies and learning to cultivate the right balance for the health of the body and mind.
Anxiety and its energetic roots: A holistic approach
Anxiety, as understood in Oriental Medicine, is not just a mental condition but an energetic imbalance. It can manifest in many forms, such as liver Qi stagnation, heart Qi deficiency, or depletion of the kidneys and blood. Anxiety is a complex interplay of physical and energetic imbalances across the body’s systems. It's a reminder that our mental state is not isolated; it is deeply connected to our body’s energy system and requires holistic attention.
In Daoist thought, the Shen (spirit) resides in the Heart, where mental clarity and emotional peace are nurtured. When the Shen is calm and untroubled, the nervous system remains at ease, creating a deep sense of grounded presence. Practices like Qigong and Shen Gong work to harmonise the flow of Qi, bringing the body, mind, and spirit into alignment. Through gentle movement, breath work, and stillness, these practices help to release tension, regulate energy flow, and calm the nervous system.
How Qigong and Shen Gong practices harmonise the nervous system
The nervous system, in the context of Oriental Medicine, is not a separate entity but an integral part of a larger, interconnected system of Qi. Imbalances in the organs, whether through Liver Qi stagnation, weak Heart Qi, or Kidney depletion, can manifest as mental or physical disruptions like anxiety, insomnia, or chronic stress. For optimal health, the nervous system must be nurtured within the balance of the entire body, mind, and spirit.
Restore balance to your nervous system with natural breathing
Regulating the nervous system reflects our inner energy and how we relate to the flow of life. Daoist practices like Yang Sheng Fa remind us to slow down, listen to our bodies, and restore balance.
If you’re looking to explore this further, I invite you to join my free Shen Gong course, where you can experience a guided natural breathing practice. It’s a simple yet profound way to harmonise your energy, calm your mind, and nurture your nervous system.
Nicole Lee, Qigong Teacher Trainer & Yang Sheng Fa Mentor
Nicole Lee is an internationally certified Qigong teacher with training encompassing both Modern and Classical Qigong styles. Over a span of more than ten years instructing Qigong, she has witnessed the transformative impact of this gentle practice on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nicole approaches Qigong with reverence, advocating for a modern and contemporary perspective to make this ancient healing art accessible to those leading busy and demanding lives.
