"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."-Lao Tzu
In previous blogs, we looked at Spring and Summer seasons along with Qigong recommendations. People fall ill when they don’t adapt to the changing seasons. Fall is the metal element involving both the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. In the Summer, we expended energy and enjoyed the balmy days. In the Fall, we have to conserve and save our energy to prepare for Winter.
Fall/Autumn Chinese Figure
The world “naturally and beautifully lets go”. One great example is the leaves on a tree. Many turn beautiful colors that inspire people to photograph, paint, or just gaze at. The leaves prepare for the Winter and fall gracefully to the ground. They become soil for new seeds or growth.
Now is the time for us to get rid or our physical and emotional “garbage”. As nature lets go, so should we let go of anything that prevents us from being authentic. Fall is the time for humans to organize, set boundaries, finish up projects, reflect, and to become more introspective. This reflection will help us decide what does or doesn’t belong in our lives and what really matters to us. We need to be “open to what comes” and let go of what needs to leave. Letting go creates space for new health, energy, life, and new experiences. This letting go provides space for us to become what we want to be.
We, as humans, often fear letting go, resist change, and don’t believe that it will create an opportunity to grow and learn. Resistance can create seasonal allergies and flu, depression, moodiness, and occasionally, results in the loss of the will to live. This is especially true during a time of transition or loss. Chinese Fall poetry usually involves crying which along with depression and/or sadness, are expressions of the metal element.
Let’s look at some of the things we hold on to: stress for sure, old emotions, tension, ruminating thoughts, sadness, anger, resentment, relationships that are unhealthy for us, and even jobs that we dislike or are not contributing to our growth. When we hold onto our emotions, rather than feeling them, our energy flow gets blocked and stagnates. Many lung, skin, and elimination problems are believed to be caused by unresolved grief. Is it any wonder that we get apathetic and suffer coughs, shortness of breath, intestinal problems, colds and loss of vitality?
What happens when the Lung Qi (Including the Large Intestine) is out of balance:
We experience grief, anxiety, sadness, sorrow, depression, shame, guilt, and despair.
We may lose our enthusiasm for life.
We have trouble coping with change, and become stiff, inflexible, judgemental, and mean.
Physically we suffer from constipation, diarrhea, headache, lung disorders (such as asthma), sinus and nasal congestion, coughs, colds, sore throat, and shortness of breath.
We may experience arm, shoulder, neck pain, with or without headache.
Our skin may become Itching and/or dry.
Many other symptoms.
What benefits do we derive from balanced Lung Qi (along with the Large Intestine)?
We develop:
internal strength, structure, justice, openness to new ideas, courage, integrity, resiliency, confidence, and clear thinking,
the ability to bring in Qi from our external sources of life energy,
the ability to take in and let go of physical and emotional wastes (including old habits, behaviors, relationships, beliefs,) etc.,
a positive self-image and become action orientated,
the ability to let go and be happy.
In Fall, the days become shorter as the nights become longer, which has a “profound effect on the biology and reproduction of animals, plants and humans”. We need to support our energy and immunity in the Fall by gathering that which provides strength and nourishment for us.
The best Qigong practices at this time of year are those that balance and nourish the metal element, focusing on the Lungs (Yin) and Large Intestine (Yang). As you see from the list above, the nose and skin also resonate with the Fall season.
During the Fall season, one must protect themselves from the wind and cold. It is the time for warm (less cooling), nourishing food and drink. Be sure to eat less cooling and more warming foods that will moisten and warm the cool dry air that is invading the body. It’s great to spend some time outside but be sure to dress for the weather, including a scarf around your neck.
Now is a good time to practice (or continue to practice) meditation, Tai Chi, and Qigong. You can also try acupuncture or acupressure.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the lungs govern many emotions. To bring these emotions back into balance, use slow and deliberate movements to open the chest cavity. In Tai Chi and Qigong the spine, rib-cage, waist, chest and upper back go through an expanding and compressing motion that gently massages the internal body. This helps increase blood flow, remove toxins and aids Lung functions.
The following exercises help strengthen the lungs in TCM, by nourishing the Lungs according to the five element theory. They also stimulate the Lung meridian channel.
Five Element Qigong.
The 8 Brocades, especially Drawing Back the Bow (coordinates the Lungs with the Liver).
Movements such as rotations (from large to small) will massage and stimulate the Large Intestine.
The Healing Sounds are also of benefit, especially the “SSSS” sound of a snake
Crane and many more movements which open the chest cavity.
So, put away that chilled Iced Tea and brew up a nice, hot cup of the tea of your choice. Sip your tea and reflect on all the ways that we can “clean house” both mentally, physically, and spiritually!
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