MAXIMISING YOUR YIN TO UNEARTH DEEPER WISDOM
As many of us step gingerly into the winter months, it’s a time of year when we can start to feel a little blue. But what if we could change our mindset and see it as an opportunity to look to nature and embrace this seasonal cycle of more rest less pace. Doing less shouldn’t be seen as a shortcoming, but rather as a time to nourish and give more space to reflect and unearth deeper wisdom.
As the daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere shorten, temperatures get colder and there is much less movement. It’s a time to hibernate and take time out to restore our energy levels, rest and reset.
Water is the fifth stage of the ‘wuxin’, also known as the Five Phases and Elements. The rising heat and warmth of summer is balanced by Water’s cooling qualities which create downward flow and inward attention.
Qi Gong practice looks at how malleable and changeable water is and gets us to focus on the fluidity of our bodies. In balance, water flows effortlessly which supports one of Qi Gong’s fundamental principles known as Wuwei. Wuwei means doing not-doing, effortless effort, action and non-action. It’s the lynchpin of Daoist thought. To experience Wuwei, we can begin by perceiving and embodying the quality of Water in balance, which flows naturally and spontaneously in nature. We can then think of it out of balance, when it can either feel stagnant and unable to flow or raging and overflowing.
Winter Qi Gong focuses on the qualities of water in balance, a soft strength that is able to ebb and flow. How can we soften instead of tense up. How can our bodies and mind feel effortless instead of taunt and stressed. Regardless of the situation we find ourselves fostering our capacity to create inward calm, is a powerful technique to be able to harness.
The kidneys in Chinese medicine pair with the urinary bladder as the organs associated with winter. Together they help regulate how we use energy throughout the day and beyond. The animal associated in Qi Gong with winter is the bear and emulating this animal are movements of strength and power, as well as twisting and rotational movements which help to stimulate and release tension from the area of the kidneys and adrenal glands.
Looking forward to welcoming in Winter with Qi Gong.
“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” Paul Theroux.
The Art of Slowing Down and Letting Go: Embracing Autumn with Qi Gong
As the golden hues of autumn envelop our landscapes, nature gracefully demonstrates the art of letting go. Leaves fall from trees, drifting gently to the ground, reminding us of the cyclical beauty of life and the importance of release. In this serene and colourful season, Qi Gong, an ancient Chinese self-renewal practice, offers us a profound way to slow down, embrace change and find balance within ourselves.
Autumn is a time governed by the metal element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Metal represents clarity, precision, and the ability to let go of what is no longer needed. The lungs, the yin organ associated with metal, play a crucial role in this seasonal transition. Just as leaves fall away to prepare trees for winter, our lungs help us release what is unnecessary, making room for renewal.
Qi Gong, which means "cultivating energy," harmonises the body, breath, mind, spirit, and qi (vital energy). Through gentle, meditative movements and focused breathing and intention as Qi Gong practitioners, we can align themselves with the natural rhythms of the universe. This practice is potent in autumn, as it enhances our ability to connect with the metal element and the qualities it embodies.
One of the key aspects of Qi Gong is its ability to balance, harmonise and increase vitality. The slow, deliberate movements encourage deep, mindful breathing, which in turn strengthens the lungs. By focusing on the breath, we cultivate a sense of presence and calm, allowing us to process and release emotions more effectively. In autumn, the emotions associated with the metal element are grief and appreciation. Just as the trees release their leaves, we too can release our grief, creating space for gratitude and appreciation.
Grief, often seen as a heavy, burdensome emotion, but can be transformed through the practice of Qi Gong. As we move and breathe with intention, we acknowledge our grief, allowing it to flow through us rather than becoming stuck. This process of letting go is not about forgetting or dismissing our feelings but we can allow it to be about honouring about how we feel and finding the strength to move forward. The lung's connection to the metal element underscores this process, highlighting the importance of intentional exhalation to release what no longer serves us.
Conversely, autumn also invites us to cultivate appreciation. As the world around us changes, we can find beauty in the fleeting moments—the crisp air, the vibrant foliage, the quiet stillness. Qi Gong helps us attune to these subtleties, fostering a deep sense of gratitude for the present moment. By balancing grief with appreciation, we achieve a harmonious state of being, where letting go becomes a natural, gentle process.
By dedicating time to this wonderful ancient art, we enhance our physical health, calm our minds, and uplift our spirits. The movements and breath work of Qi Gong stimulate the flow of qi, revitalising our energy and promoting a sense of inner peace.
As we move through autumn, let us embrace the wisdom of Qi Gong and the metal element. Let us honour what our lungs give us and seek to let go. In this season of transformation, may we find balance, vitality, and a profound appreciation for the beauty of life's cycles.
"Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus.
Embracing the nourishing essence of Autumn
As the system of Chinese medicine that heals and transforms people’s wellbeing, Qi Gong is over 2500 years old and its power lies in its subtle healing. It’s a proven art that if regularly practised has the potential to bring health, happiness and harmony for your body, mind and spirit.
The ancient Chinese energy practice can act as a self-renewal practice. It’s underpinned by Daoist philosophy which connects to, and is inspired by the wisdom of nature, the flow of the universe and the harmonious balance of opposites (Yin Yang). Qi is the product of the flow of seasons and the elemental movement of Yin and Yang.
As we start to transition from the season of Late Summer and the Earth element, we welcome in Autumn and the Metal element. This season is all about slowing down, nurturing yourself and letting go, similar to the trees that are shedding their leaves. At the same time, it’s about embracing the metal element of strength, and slowing down to prepare for the upcoming colder winter months. With this season, we focus on the organs of the lungs and large intestine.
The sequence of movements to practice during this autumnal season are inspired by the strong and determined White Tiger, which is associated with many of the characteristics of metal, as well as the migrating wild geese of China.
‘"Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience." Ralph Waldo Emerson
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