In our very busy world (yes, it is getting worse!), we often forget that we have a connection to the “natural world”. The change in the amount of light in our environment has a profound effect on all living things: animals, plants, trees, humans, etc.
Fall (Autumn) is the perfect time to slow down, watch, and listen to what is going on around us. It’s the time to let go (I’m sure you’ve heard Elsa belt out that phrase numerous times). Nature knows how to let go of that which no longer serves a purpose. It’s time for us to learn the same thing.
Most of us hang on to things and we fear change, particularly letting go. Unfortunately, we don’t let go of stress, tension, and old ways of doing things (even if they are not efficient or effective). We also hang on to relationships that are no longer beneficial or healthy. How about dead-end jobs that we dread coming to each day? What are we wasting our energy on instead of using our energy to become the person we really want to be. That brings up another question: do we even know what makes us happy and how we want to live our lives authentically?
In the Chinese Culture, Fall is a time of transition and to spend time with their families by taking time off work. They “light lanterns, enjoy moon cakes”, and they spend time looking at the moon while praying for a fruitful harvest.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Fall is considered a metal element, which relates to the lung and respiratory system. The lungs are Yin organs (structured and storing) and are paired with the Yang large intestines (hollow and transmitting).
Interestingly, weeping is an expression of the metal element! Our disposition/outlook is more prone to be out of harmony during Fall. The result of a deficiency in the metal element can cause depression, grief, loneliness, and sadness. If we have an excess in the metal element, we might become judgemental, difficult, mean, inflexible, resistant to change, and maybe even cruel. These negative signs of imbalance are magnified during times of loss or transition. Unfortunately, this is when moodiness, allergies, and even flu may manifest. A person with a balanced metal element would possess courage, righteous behavior, and bravery.
In order to bring emotions into balance, the lungs are treated using the Five Element Theory. We need to give our immune system a boost. Diaphragmatic breathing opens the chest and nourishes the lung meridian. As well, we must also regulate the wei qi field.
Qigong for Fall
Fall Qigong is the perfect way to harness the season’s power both for our health and healing. Fall is also a time for examination and correction. Is your energy balanced? You can balance your Yin and Yang energy and be in harmony within yourself, with others and in your environment and nature. You do this by moving each day by doing Qigong. The best Fall Qigong practices are those that “balance and nourish” the metal element. The focus should be on building the qi in the lungs and respiratory system.
Fall Qigong movements must be slow and deliberate in order to open the chest in order to increase the flow of blood, remove toxins, and support the lung function. Opening the chest allows an expanding and compressing motion which massages the internal body gently. This lung action brings in oxygen, nourishes, energizes, and feeds the body. Most of us understand that diaphragmatic breathing brings an increase in oxygen in the body, which in turn, improves all bodily functions.
Six Healing Sounds
An earlier blog talked about the effectiveness of the Six Healing Sounds Qigong. We discussed the Healing Sound and Movement for the Lungs (Metal). Put your tongue behind your top teeth and exhale with “sssssssss” sound, like a snake. Here’s an example (many exist) of a variation on the accompanying movement:
“Hands rest on top of thighs, palms face up.
Bring the hands up to the lungs.
Inhale and raise the hands above head, fingers open, palms facing up as you make the “sss” sound and keep looking up.
Then bring the hands back to the tops of the thighs and smile down to the lungs.”
I am enclosing a few examples of Fall Qigong for your reference and viewing pleasure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUizCZ6p5tU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozIUr5QxOc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PQ2zeQgmyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L61l4PMYZI4
Bottom line: Hard as it is, it’s time to “Let it go”!
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