Spring 2019- Wood Element
Posted: February 5, 2019
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The Lunar Calendar starts over with today’s New Moon, corresponding with the beginning of Spring and season of Wood Element. The Chinese New Year is celebrated today. We enter a whole year with the Yin Earth Pig, the joyous animal sign associated with generosity, and kindness.
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Season of Wood Element
It’s six weeks since the Winter Solstice and six weeks until the Spring Equinox – that means the energetic of Spring and Wood Element have begun. Patients are enjoying coming in for their seasonal treatments this week.
Kindness – also recognized as our capacity to yield and be flexible to meet the needs of others – is the gift or power of Wood Element, associated with this time of year. You already understand the nature of Wood if you have observed plants growing and overcoming obstacles. A tiny little acorn has the long-term vision or blueprint within that directs it to become an oak tree and nothing else. This type of long-term vision, essential to manifesting our greatest potential, is an expression of the yin aspect of Wood and is also known as Liver qi.
Obstacles like concrete sidewalks and metal fences do not stop tender shoots of grass or would-be oak trees from growing up and around them. When our own bodily and spiritual Liver qi is unable to navigate around obstacles, we may experience great anger and frustration as we push against impenetrable blocks. Read More
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How to Strengthen Your Wood Energy
1) Liberate the diaphragm muscle to allow smooth movement of breath and qi. The Liver meridian ends just below the diaphragm. Deep breathing and gentle yoga that includes twists and back bends will help release excess tension from the diaphragm. Cardiovascular exercise will increase the range of motion of this important muscle.
2) Improve your creativity with books or music that are new to you. Make art to enjoy the creative process. Try new activities that challenge you mentally and physically. Broadening our perspectives in these ways can improve problem-solving and aid us in resolving conflict, good signs of healthy Wood qi.
3) Envision your long-term desires. What do you want to experience before you die? What kind of person do you want to be when your life ends? What kinds of people do you want to have in your life who are not already with you? Being guided by our deepest goals leads to strong and flexible Wood qi.
For more health in the season of Wood Element visit the
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Ailments of Spring: Sciatica, Neck Pain, and Headaches
While sciatica, neck pain, and one-sided headaches certainly occur throughout the year, the transition between winter and spring often see an increase in the frequency and/or severity of these symptoms. Spring time, the season associated with the Wood element, governs the smooth, agile movement of both our joints and our qi (or life force). Symptoms related to the Wood element are most prone to aggravation in the springtime. Here are some gentle chair stretches for releasing tight low back and hip muscles for help with sciatic pain
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