Winter and Yangsheng 养生 with Alyssa of Sunseed Acupuncture
I’m very excited to be sharing TCM wisdom from my good friend Alyssa (self projected 2/4 projector) and founder of SOLAR ear seeding kit here today. Part of my intention for this year was to embrace winter rather than fight against it with every cell in my being (my usual go-to). Like many other winter denying Australians, I’m now being forced to put this into practice with all summer escapes to warmer climates well and truly cancelled. 2020, we truly cannot hide from you!
I hope those of us in the southern hemisphere can take these words to heart and commit deeply to a Rest practice over these few months, and notice how we can still be ‘successful’ and ‘productive’ in a seasonably appropriate way. I hope you enjoy this post from Alyssa and keep those kidneys nourished and cosy this winter :).
In winter nature is telling us to rest, even the sun (considered the great Yang) sleeps in later. As with every season, look to nature to guide your rhythms; in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) this concept is called Yangsheng 养生.
During winter the heavenly Yang energy recedes and all things in nature return ‘home’ and enter a resting period. Yin 阴 energy (slow, soft, gentle, dark) dominates Yang 阳 (energetic, hard, vibrant, bright). Take a cue from the great sun and rise slightly later and retreat earlier.
Winter is for conserving Qi 气 (vital energy). Qi follows a cyclic path through the seasons, and if one does not allow for ample rest during the cooler months, their Qi will be exhausted come summer.
However, winter flowers still bloom... but they appear different. How can creativity flourish in a climate of restoration? Maybe it's painting, reading, photographing and cooking? Is movement more indulgent and expansive; long walks, deep stretches, slow meditative movements? Rather than doing, does inspiration come from listening, observing and reflecting?
In TCM, winter is associated with the water element, the Kidney and Bladder organs, Jing 精 (our essence; stemming from our Kidney health), the emotion of fear (and anxiety), the colour black (and purple and deep blue), the sensory orifice of the ears, and the taste of salt
Some simple ways to nourish the Kidneys during winter:
Consume black/purple foods such as kidney beans, black tahini, stewed berries, midnight pearl potatoes, lavender and/or butterfly pea in tea.
Be disciplined and disengage from energy drains, conservation is paramount.
Nourishing movements such as Yin yoga, restorative yoga or Qi gong.
Massage the ears for energetic stimulation of the Kidney organ/meridian (notice how the ears look like mini kidneys?) Or take it up a notch and try using ear seeds for restorative acupressure on the ear.
My personal favourite; go for a winter ocean dip. Immersed in the water element and absorbing salty benefits through the skin!