TONG ZE BU TONG; BU TONG ZE TONG.

    — HUANG DI NEI JING

The above quote is taken from the ancient Chinese text known as the Huang Di Nei Jing.

 

“If there is free flow, there is no pain; if there is pain, there is lack of free flow.”

HOW can you keep your free flow/life force flowing!

The answer; don’t block your flow!

Living the “way” and cultivating the balance of yin and yang flowing unobstructed  in the body and mind is key.

Each week I will be sharing teaching of TCM that will help  to keep your qi/life force flowing.

Intentional breath practices can go a long way to keeping your qi flowing.

I like to think that I am micro dosing myself with increased oxygen and healing qi.

Qi gong a TCM practice  has many breath patterns for cultivating  a strong life force.

XiXi Hu breathing; Breath in twice, first into the  lower level of lungs and then into the upper level of the lungs. After 2 deeps breaths, exhale through the nose or mouth.

Breath in through the nose (twice) and exhale though the nose or mouth once.

This practice is best done for 2 to 5 mins.  You can perform seated or standing.  Maintain a slower rhythm to activate the (yin) parasympathetic nervous system.  Maintain a more vigorous rhythm to activate the (yang) sympathetic nervous system. In the morning, activate the yang energy with faster breathing rhythm. In the evening, go for a slower more calming breathing rhythm to active the yin energy.

This breathing pattern benefits are;

Creating more lung capacity with the 2 deep expansive breaths

Clearing and releasing more toxicity from the body with the full exhalation

Supports immune function

Calms and balances the nervous system

Reduces stress and anxiety

Keeps the body and mind in free flow

Winter is the season of stillness, whispering to us to look inward, and explore our innermost selves.

***

Chinese Medicine encourages us to live in harmony with the cycles of nature for maintaining robust health of body, mind, and spirit. Winter is the most yin time of the year, directly opposed to summer, the most yang time of the cycle. Winter is still, cold, and dark in nature as contrasted to summer, which is active, warm, and bright.

Wintertime beckons us to find the stillness and to look inward, embracing the darkness and seeking deeper self-reflection.

Water is the element associated with winter, the very essence of life, the beginning of all things. Water is a feminine element, the element of the subconscious, purification, intuition, and mysteries of the self. We can learn from the essence of water by awakening our own divine wisdom and awareness.  This can be a time of truth-seeking and finding the deeper meaning of life.  Water is love – life-giving, and is flexible, adaptable, powerful, and gentle.

 

“In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans”
— Kahlil Gibran Jr.

 

The yin of winter is an ideal time for inner reflection, purification, and revitalizing your qi (life force).
These are a few ways to build your yin and life force during the winter months:

Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” developed in China over five thousand years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong is an ancient Chinese health practice that harmonizes mind and body to increase mental and physical well-being. This practice encompasses flowing postures, breathing exercises, and meditation.

Practicing qigong is a way to cultivate the free flow of “life energy” within the body and mind. When the qi or “life force” is in free flow there is optimal health and wellness in our bodies and minds.
As an acupuncturist, this is the basis of our practice. The meridian system is how the qi “life force” flows through the body. Acupuncture, tui na, gua sha, and cupping, encourage the free flow of qi to optimize health and well-being. There are several forms of qigong; medical (healing), and spiritual and physical qi gong.

Practicing qi gong can provide lifelong benefits for cultivating the free flow in body, mind, and spirit. Enjoy this easy-to-follow practice from Lee Holden.

I have begun a formal study of medical qigong. This practice is an extension of Traditional Chinese Medicine that works to improve health and wellness for me as well as my patients.  This is an interesting and rewarding study that will deepen my knowledge and practice of TCM in my clinic.

Yin yoga
The practice of yin yoga is based on ancient Chinese philosophies and Taoist principles and the understanding that there are pathways/meridians of qi “life force “moving through our bodies. Yin yoga can help restore the free flow of life force with poses.
The yoga poses open and releases blockages and stagnation within the meridian system of the body. A slower, more meditative practice that uses longer holds to target deep connective tissues like fascia, ligaments, and joints. Postures are mainly performed on the floor and held for 2-5 minutes. These classes can help restore calm, and relaxation while balancing your parasympathetic nervous system.

Sound therapy
Sound Therapy uses sound, music, and specialized instruments played in therapeutic ways, combined with deep self-reflection techniques to improve health and well-being.
This therapy is an efficient and effective tool for achieving physical, mental, and emotional clarity and harmony. Incorporating sound healing can help restore mental, physical, and energetic balance.

For group sound therapy, you may be interested in OHM Center.

Journey box is a home device that can bring sound healing into your daily life whenever you need it! I love this device. I use it during my retreats, in my clinical practice as well as in my personal use during mediation practice.

Meditation
Starting a practice of quieting the mind and taking that deep dive to your inner knowing can be life-altering.
My current practice is based on Vedic Meditation practice.

Journaling
Organizing your thoughts and writing them out on paper can help your mind reframe and heal from stress and trauma.