The Lung and Large Intestine are often introduced first in Chinese medicine because they represent one of the most basic rhythms of life. Every moment you are breathing in and breathing out, receiving and releasing. The Lung draws in the new, oxygen and qi, which nourishes every cell of the body. The Large Intestine clears away the old, what is used up and no longer needed. Together they form a cycle that seems simple on the surface, but in practice touches every layer of health.
When these meridians are working well, the body feels light and responsive. The lungs expand easily, breath moves deeper into the body, and oxygen delivery to tissues supports vitality. The immune system is more resilient, because in Chinese medicine the Lung is closely linked to defensive energy, which protects us from external illness. At the same time, the Large Intestine efficiently eliminates waste, which prevents heaviness and stagnation. Emotionally, the effect is also clear. There is a natural openness to life, the ability to take in what is useful, and the capacity to let go of what is no longer serving us.
When these meridians are disrupted, the cycle of receive and release becomes unbalanced. If the Lung is weak or blocked, breathing may be shallow, chest tightness can appear, and the immune system may become less effective. Skin issues are also linked, as the Lung is considered to control the surface of the body. People often describe feeling heavy in the chest, prone to frequent colds, or unable to take a satisfying breath. If the Large Intestine is not flowing well, constipation, bloating, or sluggish digestion can develop. On an emotional level, this often shows as difficulty letting go. Old hurts, grief, or rumination build up, just as physical waste does, creating a sense of internal stagnation.
The connection between these two organs makes sense if you think about it practically. Taking in new air, food, and experiences is only healthy if you are also able to release the old. Without that balance, everything clogs. Just as a room becomes stuffy if windows are never opened, or a house becomes cluttered if nothing is cleared out, the body also suffers when it cannot release as well as receive.
Modern life makes this pair particularly vulnerable. Hours spent sitting at desks round the shoulders and collapse the chest, making full breaths difficult. Stress encourages shallow breathing high in the chest, which weakens Lung qi over time. On the digestive side, irregular meals, low fibre diets, and a fast-paced lifestyle easily disrupt the Large Intestine’s natural rhythm. Add in the emotional habits of holding on to memories, worries, or self-criticism, and the flow of these meridians slows down. The result is often a mix of physical and emotional symptoms that reinforce each other.
Shibashi offers a practical and gentle way to restore this rhythm. Wide arm sweeps encourage the chest to open and the lungs to expand. As the breath naturally deepens with the movement, Lung qi is strengthened without strain. Palms pressing down or soft expanding and gathering patterns mirror the cycle of taking in and letting go. The body learns through repetition, and Shibashi provides a safe environment for that learning. Instead of forcing deep breathing or trying to push thoughts away, the practice creates conditions where the natural rhythm can re-establish itself. Over time, this helps both physical breathing and emotional release feel easier.
It is important to remember that these shifts are not dramatic in a single session. They are gradual and cumulative. After practice, you may notice your shoulders feel looser, your chest feels more open, or your mind feels slightly lighter. These are small signs that the Lung and Large Intestine are doing their work again. With regular practice, the difference builds. You may find you become less prone to holding tension in the chest, your digestion improves, or emotions like grief and frustration become easier to process.
The real lesson of this pair is that health is not only about what you add in, but also about what you let go. Taking in fresh air, food, and ideas gives life, but without release there is no space for them to circulate. In the same way, Shibashi teaches us that the exhale matters as much as the inhale, and that the act of letting go is not weakness but balance.
Reflection: Notice your next few breaths. Feel the coolness of the inhale and the warmth of the exhale. Imagine the inhale carrying in clarity and calm. Imagine the exhale carrying out heaviness and strain. This is the Lung and Large Intestine in action, simple but profound, showing you the rhythm that underpins resilience and lightness.
