Katiebeworks

How to support the Lungs?

This week, I introduced the metal element representing the fall season in the Five Element Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Five Elements make up a cycle that organizes all natural phenomena into five groupings. These groups represent clear patterns in nature. This cycle of elements shows how nature interacts with the body and how the different dimensions impact each other. We can easily recognize where imbalances in the body, mind, emotions, and spirit lie through these patterns.

During Fall, the two dominant organs in the cycle of the Five Elements are the lungs which represent the yin organ, and the large intestines, which represent the yang organ. Examining the characteristics of these two organs can give us information about areas of excess (Shi pronounced sure) and the deficiency (Xu pronounced shoe) in the body. Examining if your characteristics are showing up in excess or deficiency is where we can equate our massage session and yoga practice in a way that supports our health during the fall season. Also, when you read these characteristics, keep in mind the element of metal, the organs being the lungs and large intestines, and you can see how these characteristics took shape.

* Inner Structure and Value
* Hard/strong, precise
* Rigid
* Brilliant, shining, inspiring
* Can be remolded many times over to take any form, but it takes time
* Grief is the ability to experience grief, process it so you can grow over time
* Boundaries, discrimination, routine, ritual, neat, precise
* Structure, organized, methodical
* Know own value/worth
* Discernment, analysis
* Taking in and letting go

When someone has an excess (Shi), it will appear as an issue of perfectionism, strictness, and dogmatic. When someone is having a problem with deficiency (Xu), they appear sloppy and numb. These imbalances create emotional difficulties with expression, intimacy, and spontaneity, and physiological imbalances occur in the respiratory, skin, elimination, lubrication, lymphatic, and immune systems. Now that we have these characteristics outlined, we will begin to apply them to our practice.

How hard is it for you to disconnect and be fully present with the people around you? This was something that has been nagging my mind since this past weekend. I had many goals and deadlines that I wanted to meet this Monday. I had planned out the entire weekend, what I would get done, and when. The only issue, I completely spaced out that it was Halloween. I had two options- 1) block out all the noise, lock myself in my room, and work, or 2) enjoy some much-needed family time. I chose number two. I felt this was the right choice for me because it was the weekend, and I believe it is precious and healthy to take time to be present with your tribe.

Even though I consciously made this choice and only had myself to answer, I kept having moments where I’d get a knot in my gut, feeling guilty for what I was letting go of accomplishing. I felt like this self-inflicted guilt was holding me back from being fully present with my family. I caught myself thinking thoughts like- I’ll take my laptop and work there, or maybe if we finish early, I can stay up until 2:00 AM because my morning is free. Then I wiped the thought from my mind and just allowed myself to be “present.”

One of the characteristics of the metal element that we will be exploring this month is structure. As we begin to slow down and move indoors, now is a great time to evaluate your schedule and set realistic boundaries that are flexible and support you. By taking the time to do this, you will be setting yourself up for success in the year to come. More importantly, as we approach the holiday season, having this schedule in place will help you be present for the festivities. Some elements of scheduling that get lost in the hustle of life are rest, play, and family time. I encourage you to start looking at these as priority elements for your overall well-being and not to look at weekly/daily rest, play, and family time as something we allow.

As mentioned in my post yesterday, I will be using the month of November to explore the Metal Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine which represents Fall. Each element represents a set of organs: yin - feminine, cool, damp, and yang- masculine, hot, and dry. We will be exploring what it means to have an excess and depletion of these yin and yang energies and what actions you can take at this time to help your vitality or support your Qi for the year to come. Our focus will be on how diet, yoga, and massage can best help you through the fall months and prepare you for winter. Do you notice any patterns in your body when fall comes around?

I am ready to participate in my wellness actively. It is easy to run through life completing tasks and taking care of everyone else. Well, here is your reminder if you haven't heard it lately, you cant take care of others until you take care of yourself! Throughout November, we will be exploring the Metal Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine which represents Fall. When we look at Fall as a time to gather our crops, which are the labor of our summer energy, we collect our nutrients to sustain throughout the winter. Fall is the perfect time to set a flexible schedule that reflects healthy boundaries with value for yourself and your energy. If you can set this structure now, it will benefit you greatly for the year ahead. What tasks do you set up during your day, week, and month to help honor your health and wellbeing?