In ancient China and Japan peopled structured their lives to live in harmony with nature; their practices and eating habits changed with the change of seasons. Living as part of the natural world, they maintained balance and optimal health. The fall season is associated with the metal element “which governs organization, order, communication, the mind, […]
Now that the weather has finally changed it’s time to prepare for autumn. In nature, the energies begin to pull back and go deeper into the trees, shrubs, and earth. In our bodies, our vital energies also begin to circulate deeper into our organs to protect us from the cold. To maintain health and balance […]
The ancient Chinese believed that to be healthy we should align our energies with those of the current season. Indian Summer (late August till September) is harvest time in nature when there is great abundance. It is a time to gather and distribute the bounty of the earth. The earth element, which is the most […]
The heat waves we’ve been experiencing these last few weeks can cause us problems unless we plan our outdoor activities carefully. Heat exhaustion can drain your energy, create dehydration and physical exhaustion. Those most easily affected are people over 65, children under 4 years old, people who are ill, obese, or those taking medication. Heat […]
The weather in late summer is usually hotter and heavier with humidity than the rest of the season. Dampness is associated with the earth element which is most active this time of year. Late summer is a time for slowing down and gathering in. The earth element gives us the ability to nourish and care […]
Every so often I like to revisit the 24-hour meridian clock. It has valuable information on how our energy cycles throughout our body during a day. “In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that each organ has its point of highest energy and lowest energy.” The 24-hour Meridian Clock shows the times when each meridian […]
“Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry- all forms of fear- are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.” – Eckhart Tolle “The secret of health for both mind and body is not […]
The sciatic nerve originates from the lower spine and goes down the side of the leg to the foot. When inflamed or compressed it sends intense pain down the buttocks to the back of the leg and foot. It can also cause numbness or tingling and difficulty walking or standing. Some causes of sciatica, aside […]
Pal Dan Gum or the eight silken movements are a set of qigong exercises used in Korea and China for thousands of years to increase spiritual awareness and promote health and longevity. These 8 silken movements take only 10 minutes to perform and when done daily along with focused breathing strengthen the vital essence and balance the […]
We’ve talked about the energy pathways most active in summer and the importance of staying balanced both physically and emotionally to promote optimum health. The advice for the summer season includes staying hydrated with fluids and eating cooling foods such as fruits and salads to maintain a comfortable body temperature. The importance of eating healthy […]