Xu, He, Hu, Si, Chui, Xi: six sounds that correspond to the five organ systems and the San Jiao (Triple Burner). It’s a breathing practice that has been passed down for well over a thousand years.
The Six Healing Sounds first appear in Records of Nourishing Nature and Extending Life (Yangxing Yanming Lu), written by Tao Hongjing during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The idea is simple: breathe in slowly, then breathe out while shaping your mouth to make a different sound.
Six Sounds, Each With Its Own Focus
Xu (“shoo”) is for the Liver, when you feel irritable or ready to snap. He (“huh”) is for the Heart, when you feel jittery or can’t sleep. Hu (“hoo”) is for the Spleen, when you’re overthinking or have no appetite. Si (“sss”) is for the Lungs, when you feel sad or tight in the chest. Chui (“chway”) is for the Kidneys, when you feel fearful or your lower back feels cold. Xi (“shee”) balances the San Jiao, when your whole body feels tense.
How to Practice
Stand or sit with your shoulders relaxed. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds, then open your mouth and make the sound as you exhale over 6 to 8 seconds, until your breath is fully out. The sound can be very soft. Do each sound 6 times; the full sequence takes about 8 minutes.
You don’t need to memorize all six. Whatever emotion feels heaviest today, start with the sound that matches it.
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Keep reading
- Why Stress Lives in Your Shoulders: What TCM Says About Anger and the Liver
- The Five Scents: Chinese-Style Aromatherapy for Your Moods
- Grief and the Lungs: Why Sadness Makes You Want to Sigh Deeply
We don't promise. We don't cure. We align. This article is for everyday wellness and cultural education only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a health concern, talk with your doctor first.
