For a Qi Gong practitioner, unrestrained emotions are considered as dangerous to physical wellbeing as eating unhealthy foods, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, not getting enough exercise or being sleep depraved.

Just like the outer factors that influence our body (wind, heat, damp, dry and cold), the inner factors (anger, joy, worry, grief and fear) are also related to the five primordial elements. When one emotion dominates or it is suppressed, the vital energy starts to weaken, the immune system begins to fail, and we become increasingly vulnerable to disease.

ANGER

Anger is associated with the Wood element. In a balanced manner, anger is considered a healthy emotional response to stress and frustrations, meant to restore balance. When we repress it for longer time and we allow to build up to dangerous levels, it can be damaging to the extend of creating destructive diseases.

JOY

Joy is an emotion belonging to the Fire element. It is also associated to desire. When the heart is balanced, the joy is constant and unwavering. When the heart is overstimulated or agitated, the heart system becomes overheated, consuming the fire energy, leading further to nervous exhaustion and fatigue.

WORRY

Worry is the emotion associated with the Earth energy. Worry is an emotion that focused only on the past of future. Anxiety is the direct result of not being able maintain control, which in fact is an illusion. Spleen and stomach are directly influenced by the worriness.

GRIEF

Grief is associated with the Metal energy, related to the Lung organ. When balanced and openly expressed, grief allows us to experience natural feelings of loss. Grief and sadness should be experienced fully and passed through. Otherwise, they will impact our body with stiffness and energy stagnation.

FEAR

Fear is the emotion that moves and directs Water types. In its healthy balanced state, fear allows us to remain alert and attentive to survival.

Kidneys and urinary bladder are the water organs and therefore will get directly affected by fear. Fears must be dealt with before they take over our habits of thinking and feeling.