Kidney 1, "Bubbling Spring"
Located on the bottom of the foot, KD 1 connects us with the Earth.
What is the spring that is referred to in the name, “Bubbling Spring?”
Here is how I think of it:
Kidney is the Yin Organ of the Water Element. Springs are where fresh water emerges from the ground. Water nourishes all life. When we bring conscious attention to Kidney 1 while standing on the ground, it is possible to receive energy directly from the Earth.
The Kidney meridian becomes a passageway for Earth’s energy to rise from our feet all the way up to our chest. Along the way, this Qi nourishes our legs, reproductive organs, digestive and urinary organs, lungs and heart. All of the vital organs are infused by the nourishing energy of the Earth, transformed into flowing Qi of Water.
A practice:
Stand comfortably, soften your ankles, knees and hips. Bring your mind to your breath. Check that your head, eyes, jaw, shoulders and back are relaxed yet toned. Drop your mind to your belly where your breath comes to when you inhale. Now, feel for Kidney 1 on the bottom of your feet, and then feel the Earth from this point. Breathe, feel, notice, and allow Kidney 1 to open to the Earth.
Locate KD 1:
KD 1 is located on the bottom of both feet.
I read that if you massage the point (bubbling spring) in one direction it is calming/grounding, if you massage it in another direction (say CW) it is energizing. I need calming so I really need to know which is the direction I should be massaging it in. Thank you
Hi Patty,
I don’t work that way – I massage the point, notice the experience, listen to the Qi and massage accordingly.
Massaging the feet is a great way to calm the whole system, touching into Kidney 1 will just enhance that sense of calm and ease. Why? Because the nature of the Kidney Organ System and the Kidney meridian is more nourishing, more about quiet and stillness than other meridians.
The best teacher, in this case, will be your experience – try massaging the point in many ways, and notice your experience, make adjustments based on your feelings. As you practice and notice then you will know what works for you.
I hope that helps
Cindy
Always such a good explanation of the importance of the points. Thx.
You are welcome!
God bless you😇
[…] acupuncture points, such as Kidney 1 near the front section of the sole of the foot, are activated when walking with bare feet. This is believed to be a passage for Earth Qi to rise through the body […]
I did not know anything about this k-1 on the bottom of the feet but what I did know and do experience is that while in the bath putting a smooth bar of soap and rubbing the smooth bar across this area of my foot – can’t even describe it in words! I knew it meant something but didn’t know what – it’s a kind of mystical pleasure/comfort I experience every single time. I will definitely do the feet on earth focus and allow to receive earth energy directly to and through me. Is that something where shoes should be off? Should I have bare feet on bare earth? What else do I need to know about this?
Thanks
AJ
Hi Anne,
Thanks for sharing your experience! Experience will be your best guide – experiment with shoes on and off and notice your experience. You might want to explore the pathway of the Kidney meridian – here is a link for that: Kidney Meridian
[…] your fingers and massage the balls of your feet and toes for 15-30 seconds or more. Find your “bubbling spring” point (Kidney 1 in Chinese medicine), a pronounced depression located between the first and second […]
[…] your fingers and massage the balls of your feet and toes for 15-30 seconds or more. Find your “bubbling spring” point (Kidney 1 in Chinese medicine), a pronounced depression located between the first and second […]
[…] your fingers and massage the balls of your feet and toes for 15-30 seconds or more. Find your “bubbling spring” point (Kidney 1 in Chinese medicine), a pronounced depression located between the first and second […]
I kept feeling this bubbling time to time, and wondered what it was! It tickled my entire body!
Being a blind person I can’t see the pictures so it would be great if you could describe them too. Thanks.
Hi Atty,
Thanks for your feedback – I’ll get to work on this.
Cindy