Your Seasonal Wellbeing

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water 

In traditional Chinese medicine there are Five Elements and each element gives birth to the next and nourishes it by a flow of energy.  So the bracken is burnt, the ashes go into the earth and form minerals, the water flows and there is new growth.  Kinesiology is an effective methodology for balancing the energies of your meridians. Balancing your meridians with Kinesiology can improve health and wellbeing on a physical, mental and emotional levels.

Meridians are passages of energy flow located all over your body, as a kinesiologist I work with Chinese Medicine Five Element Theory, which believes that everything in the universe, including our health, is governed by five natural elements: WOOD, FIRE, EARTH, METAL and WATER. This theory underscores the Traditional Chinese Medicine understanding that human beings, both physically and mentally, are intertwined with nature.

An individual’s state of health manifests according to the balance between these Elements.

Winter – Water

The Soltice on December 22nd welcomes the season of Winter  and the element of WATER.  The feelings associated with this element are FEAR, ANXIETY, COURAGE and WILL. The meridians associated with winter are Kidney and Bladder.

The Kidneys are the Motivator.  The foundation of Yin and Yang. Ancestral inheritance (Jing).  Constitution. Strength. Viatlity.  Creation of power. Control of fluids. Vital essence. Motivation. Will. Ability. Cleverness. Balance relaxation – action. Perception. Life Force.

The Bladder is the Keeper.  Responsible for distribution of fluids. Storer. Resovoir of energy. Flow of thoughts and expression. Adaptability. Cleansing. Control.

Winter is the time of going inward. Nature is resting, quiet, withdrawn, deep in the earth and the roots preparing for Spring.

Winter is the time when we need to mimic nature to rest, be quiet and withdrawn. The Winter Solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this period of descent into sleep, darkness and the depths of our own inner caves, was necessary to find our light.

This should be a time of rest and reflection.  We need to bring back into winter time, kindness, love, rebirth and unburdening instead of fear, depression and avoidance.  It is a time to wipe the slate clean, clear out the old so you can walk into spring in balance and ready to emerge.

There has been the same amount of water on our planet since its beginning.  Water is adaptable taking the shape of its container.  It supports your being.  Winter is a time to conserve energy. take care of yourself by nourishing yourself, keep warm and rest.

The taste associated with the ater element is salty and if you either crave or really dislike it you have an inbalance in your water element.

You need to adjust your diet.  The days are shorter with less physical activity.  Don’t increase your food intake.  A diet of carbohydrate and protein is best at this time.  Cooked whole grains (soak rice for 20 minutes before boiling) are good now and if eaten with pulses like black beans or lentils you will have a comple protein. At this time of year fruit should only form part of your diet if you live in a tropical climate.  Flax seeds and nettles are good herbs to support the bladder and kidneys.

A good stretch to work the Kidney and Bladder meridians is to sit with the legs straight.  Inhale and stretch your arms above your head.  Exhale, bending forwards to touch your feet.  Realx into the stretch for three breaths and repeat two or three times.  Quality is always more imprtant than quantity in stretching.  Don’t worry if you can’t reach your feet . It is not essential and as always your flexibility will improve with practice.