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!

Coping with Infertility During the Holidays- A Message from Dr. Randine Lewis

The first order of business for those who are having difficulty conceiving is, of course, to remove obstructions to reproductive health and to enhance fertility. When I started the Fertile Soul retreat process, this was, of course, our primary motive. 

Over the years, however, it became abundantly clear that there was a secondary issue that could not be separated from the first. The pain of not being able to conceive is intimately intertwined with the fertility difficulty. I have found that when the suffering over the issue is alleviated, the obstructions are easier to rectify.

Imagine that you are having a challenge with your conception efforts, but there is no pain and suffering over it. Life goes on, with the same loves, joys, challenges, and richness. The agonizing sense of failure is not there. You love your life, your partner, and experience the beauty and abundance in all of life. One of the best pain relievers is a drug that helps you “forget” the pain pathway, even while the painful stimulus is present. This isn’t about denial; it’s about the healing strength of our attentive powers.

I remember a woman who came to retreat last year making this recognition. She said, “I have come to accept that I may not be able to have a baby. But what I miss most of all is being able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life again.”

We all have the source of life within us. We haven’t lost it, no matter how far off it may seem.  If you can imagine your mind letting go of the “infertility” story, if only for an instant, you may be able to be struck by the awe of witnessing the miracle of a sunset again. Of feeling the chill of the winter air and knowing that it doesn’t mean the warmth of all of life is over, just that there is a chill in the air. Spring will come again.

Imagine looking in the mirror and liking what you see; witnessing hope in your eyes again. Imagine experiencing your body as the most wondrous miracle in existence. Imagine being in awe of the creative power that you embody. The story of “infertility” would be just that – a chapter that you are no longer interested in reading.

You may even be able to enjoy holiday gatherings. You may be
able to make new traditions that do not center around the scarcity of your “infertility” story, but instead embrace the creative power as it is still expressing itself.  Allow yourself to feel the hurt, anguish and loss. Don’t push any of it away. Only then can you rise above it. Have the courage to stand in the midst of the pain and let it dissolve. Have the courage to cry, and still show up for life.

In the dead of winter, there is a call for life to emerge. That which we resist (infertility), persists. That which we attend to (the Life force) grows stronger. Where is your focus going to be this holiday season? On scarcity or abundance? The choice is yours.

As you show up for life, acknowledge your pain as you enjoy the smell of holiday fragrances. Experience gratitude for what you already have, and share in the gift of giving. The lives of those we admire most were not one sided – they did not hide out from their pain. They stood in the midst of the pain, and found in it the greatest gift life has to offer. The gift of life itself. All of it.

With gratitude,

Dr. Randine

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!

Chinese Herbs

Herbal Medicine in the Chinese tradition boasts countless time-tested herbal formulas that are available in both Chinese and American-manufactured patent forms and are the ideal adjunct therapy to acupuncture.

Jane is National Board Certified in Chinese Herbology and recommends herbs and supplements for a wide variety of chronic, internal as well as acute problems. She is especially well-trained in creating custom formulas for women’s health and fertility enhancement. We customize our fertility formulas for each phase of the menstrual cycle in order to optimize efficacy and ensure safety…

Read the full article here.