The Earth Element governs stability, nourishment, and reciprocity, guiding us to feel centered, supported, and in harmonious relationship with ourselves and others.

In the body, this energy flows through the Stomach and Spleen meridians, influencing our capacity for digestion—both of food and of life experiences—along with our sense of groundedness, trust, and belonging.

When balanced, Earth energy allows us to feel steady, resilient, and generous, offering support without depletion and receiving care without guilt.

When imbalanced—either stagnant or deficient—we may feel worry, overthinking, heaviness, lethargy, or a sense of being unmoored.

By working with these meridians through movement and awareness, we can support healthy digestion, stable energy, and a deep connection to our physical and emotional center.

Below, explore the pathways of the Earth element meridians, their relationships with the hips, thighs, abdomen, and feet, and ways to restore balance through breath, mindful movement, and grounding presence.

Pro tip: Use your hands to gently trace the channels along the front of your legs and up toward your ribcage. What do you notice—warmth, tension, ease, or sensation? Imagine these pathways as fertile fields—how would you tend to them so they remain nourished and ready to give?

SPLEEN MERIDIAN

Spleen Meridian – Nourishment & Stability

Muscles: Medial Hamstrings, quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus medialis), abdominal muscles, diaphragm.

Function: Governs digestion—of food, thought, and experience. Supports grounded energy, emotional stability, and the ability to give and receive care. Helps us feel centered, nourished, and connected to a steady sense of belonging.

Imbalances: May show up as heaviness in the body, inner thigh or abdominal tension, fatigue, overthinking, worry, or a tendency to over-give without replenishing. You may feel unmoored, depleted, or disconnected from your own needs.

Stretch Focus: Dragon Lunge to cultivate a sense of stability and peace.

STOMACH MERIDIAN

Stomach Meridian – Vitality & Forward Movement

Muscles: Quadriceps (especially rectus femoris), hip flexors, tibialis anterior, neck extensors

Function: Fuels our ability to take in nourishment and move forward with purpose. Supports digestion, energy production, and mental clarity. Helps us feel motivated, focused, and ready to engage with the world from a grounded place.

Imbalances: May show up as jaw or neck tension, tight quads, digestive discomfort, mental fog, worry, or feeling stuck in overthinking rather than action.

Stretch Focus: Stomach Windshield Wipers to open the front body, release stagnation, and restore a steady, energized sense of momentum.