Spring Forward

Today is the day to set our clocks forward— Spring is in the air! I have seen iris shoots begin to push their way up in my yard and the promise of warm, sunny days feels close. This morning the ground was even wet with Spring rain.   In Chinese Medicine, Spring is the season associated with the Wood Element or Phase. Wood correlates with the Liver/Gallbladder organ systems, the tendons, the emotion anger, the eyes, the sound shouting, the sour flavor, the color green, the morning and the wind.

On a more psycho-spiritual level, the Wood phase relates to having vision to move into the future, the ability to plan and decide, and  the organization to integrate all of the elements like a tree: pulling up earth’s nourishment, water and minerals/metal through its roots, and absorbing the warmth of  fire/sun.  Wood energy is about rebirth, renewal, and adaptability as well. Like a tree, with wood in balance, our response to the “winds of change”  is the ability to bend without breaking. Clarity, confidence, flexibility, healthy boundaries,  and the ability to take risks are hallmarks of a person with wood in balance.

Wood out of balance can manifest as rigidity, aggression (or lack of anger/boundaries), inability to envision or dream the future, substance abuse, irritability, difficulty with planning, anxiety, muscular tension, PMS, eye issues, mood swings, headaches, painful periods, pain in the ribcage area, digestive problems, depression and insomnia.

As we move into spring, it’s a great time to harness the strength and promise of the Wood element and its associated Sprit, the Hun. Give yourself time to dream the future and create a vision as well as an action plan to create the life you imagine. Take time to experience the early growth of supple, tender shoots and leaves that are just emerging in nature. Let that fresh, green, flexible energy penetrate your own spirit as you become more adaptable and ease into the changes in your life. Ingest cleansing greens and include the sour flavor, the flavor of the Wood element. Emphasize stretching in your workout routine or re-commit to a yoga practice to stay supple physically. Remember the image of a healthy, vibrant flexible tree as you face challenges, especially those related to unfulfilled desires (the root of the frustration that leads to our liver qi or wood being out of balance). In  my own recent coming-up-against-insurmountable-issues-I- cannot control, I have remembered the Serenity Prayer:

Goddess/Mother Earth/Buddha/God/Cosmos/Universe (insert appropriate salutation),

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

I hope I got that right, since it came from memory! It’s a great thing to integrate as we move into Spring and try to embody the wisdom of the Wood phase. Spring is my favorite season since it brings the promise of change, warmth, movement, and renewal.  As we move from the depth of the Water Phase (winter) and emerge into the Wood phase, may we all carry with us the wisdom we gained in our deep internal journeys over this past winter and allow that wisdom to inform our movement into a creatively envisioned future. Happy Spring!

Staying Healthy This Autumn

Foods to Keep You Going 

In traditional Chinese medicine, Fall is the season associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine organ systems, which protect the body against the invasion of pathogens and safeguard our internal resources. Common ailments during this time of year are often associated with dryness and include colds, flu, allergies, breathing difficulties, bronchitis, skin issues and constipation. To help support these organ systems and cultivate good health, we encourage you to eat “with the season” and choose foods that nourish these systems. 

• Autumn is a very drying season. Keep hydrated with warming, moistening and soft foods that help your skin retain its moisture during dry weather. Soups, stews, and roasted vegetables are especially nourishing, and eating warm foods prepares the body for the transition into colder temperatures. Also be sure to drink herbal or caffeine-free tea, or room-temperature water throughout the day.
• In Chinese medicine, white foods are known to alleviate dryness and hydrate the body. Cruciferous white vegetables also contain high amounts of isothiocyanates, which are cancer-fighting compounds and immune boosters. Examples of white foods are white mushrooms, potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, parsnips, pears, radishes, and white meat (we don’t recommend refined starches and grains such as white bread and rice, however).
• Enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest, including root vegetables, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins, and use warming spices to reduce phlegm such as cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. Fruits such as apples and pears are especially wonderful when paired with these spices.
• Avoid raw and cold foods, as they create dampness or phlegm that is stored in the lungs. Avoid excess dairy products as well, as they can exasperate phlegm.
• Consider scheduling regular acupuncture treatments and/or asking us for supplements and herbs to support your immune system for the transition into winter.

Stay warm, eat well, and take time to nourish your body and mind as we transition into the busy holiday season. We wish you a healthy and peaceful Autumn!