🍁 As the trees release their leaves, we too can let go and in doing so, we strengthen what protects us 🍁
Autumn is a time of turning inward – nature’s gentle nudge to slow down, restore balance, and prepare for the colder months ahead. In Qigong and Chinese medicine, this is the season of the Lungs and the Metal element — both closely linked to Wei Qi, our body’s invisible cloak of protection.
If you’ve been feeling a little run-down, emotionally stretched, or sensitive to seasonal change, this is the perfect time to nurture your energy and strengthen your body’s natural defences. It’s a time to do some Autumn Qigong for immunity and resilience.
What is Wei Qi in Qigong?
In Qigong, Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”) is often described as the body’s first line of defence – a subtle layer of energy that circulates just beneath the skin. It acts as a shield, protecting us from external influences such as cold, damp, and sudden weather changes, while also supporting emotional resilience and healthy boundaries.
Unlike the deeper, nourishing Qi that sustains our organs and tissues, Wei Qi moves dynamically, powered by breath and supported by good nourishment, sleep, and steady rhythms.
Governed by the Lungs (Metal) and supported by the Spleen (Earth), Wei Qi reflects the balance between breath, digestion, and seasonal flow. Each breath offers a simple act of renewal – releasing what no longer serves and drawing in fresh vitality.
The link between Wei Qi, the lungs, and Autumn energy
In the Five Element cycle, Autumn corresponds to the Metal element, symbolising clarity, strength, and the courage to let go. The Lungs, associated with Metal, are the organs most affected by this season, and they govern Wei Qi.
When we care for our lungs through mindful breathing, gentle movement, and emotional release, we strengthen our inner and outer protection. Autumn reminds us that resilience comes through release – it’s not about holding on, but knowing when to breathe out and begin again.
How Qigong strengthens immunity and emotional resilience
Rather than offering a quick fix or “boost,” Qigong strengthens Wei Qi gradually and sustainably – through slow, breath-led movement that harmonises body and mind. Over time, this builds a steady foundation for both physical and emotional resilience.
Key benefits of Qigong for immunity include:
- Calming the nervous system – activating rest-and-digest mode so the body can restore itself.
- Supporting lung and digestive health – lungs (Metal) and digestion (Earth) are central to autumn wellbeing.
- Reducing stress and fatigue – helping us adapt to seasonal change with greater ease.
Studies suggest that regular Qigong practice can improve immune markers, reduce chronic pain and fatigue, and enhance overall wellbeing.
If you’re new to this practice, you might enjoy my popular Qigong for Beginners guide to help get you started
Signs your Wei Qi may be low
Sometimes we only notice Wei Qi when it feels depleted. Signs your protective energy may need a little care include:
- catching colds or infections easily
- feeling tired or low in energy
- sensitivity to wind, draughts or sudden weather shifts
- sweating without exertion
- allergies or skin flare-ups
If these sound familiar, don’t worry. Like tending a garden after harvest, we can replenish our protective energy with simple daily choices.
Simple daily Qigong and lifestyle tips to strengthen your Wei Qi this Autumn
You don’t need long or complicated routines to support your energy – rhythm matters more than perfection. These small, consistent habits make a real difference:
🍁 Daily Qigong – even 10 minutes of flowing movement and mindful breath helps circulate Qi and strengthen Wei Qi.
🍁 Deep belly breathing – nourishing the lungs (Metal) and digestion (Earth).
🍁 Walk in nature – morning light supports energy, mood, and natural sleep cycles.
🍁 Warm, seasonal food – soups, stews, mushrooms, root vegetables, ginger, and garlic keep the body grounded and resilient.
🍁 Adequate rest – sleep restores natural rhythms and allows Wei Qi to renew.
🍁 Emotional release – letting go of old habits or thoughts, just as trees release their leaves.
💡 And don’t forget the proven benefits of taking a Vitamin D supplement during the colder months.
🍂 A seasonal reminder 🍂 Embracing Autumn wisdom – letting go to grow stronger
Autumn teaches us that letting go is not a loss, but a preparation. Each leaf that falls clears space for renewal – just as releasing emotional and physical tension strengthens the energy that protects us.
When we nourish Wei Qi, we meet the season with clarity, strength, and grace. Through Qigong, we remember that true strength doesn’t mean resistance – it’s the art of staying open yet protected.
Join a Surrey Hills Qigong class for seasonal wellbeing
If you’d like to explore this more deeply, join me for Surrey Hills Qigong classes and workshops, where we focus on seasonal Qigong practices that support health, balance, and inner peace.
🍂 Coming soon: Qigong for Winter Wellbeing – a workshop designed to nurture your Wei Qi through movement, breath, and meditation.
No experience is needed, just a willingness to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your natural rhythm.
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And if this post resonated with you, 🍁 please share it with a friend who could use a little seasonal support. 🍁
Written by Sue, Surrey Hills Qigong
