Posts tagged chinese medicine
Staying Balanced & Healthy

The effect of the outbreak of Coronavirus and all the ways our lives have changed can be stressful. An invisible enemy can cause fear and anxiety, and all of our sudden life changes can cause us to temporarily spiral into unhealthy habits. Coping with stress in a healthy way makes you stronger and helps those around you to be calmer. Taking active steps to ensure you strengthen your immune system and check in with loved ones to ensure they’re following suit is especially important at this time. We are all in this together, and if we look at the positive, it will bring us closer and more connected.

Here are 10 tips to stay balanced and healthy, and reduce stress and anxiety:

1.  MOVE IT or SHAKE IT: Exercise regularly at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity. If you can, exercise with loved ones - the ones you’re sheltering at home with. Get outside to exercise ONLY if you can, and only if it’s safe to do so.

2.  BREATHE: Practice deep breathing for at least 5 minutes each day. Meditate and practice stillness - in any way that feels good to you - each day. You can use apps if needed for directed meditation and if you’d like some personalized instruction and guidance, call me!

3.  EAT HEALTHY: Sachi ALWAYS says, ‘eat healthy! ‘ Truly, it’s never been more critical to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Did you know? Refined sugary desserts feed viruses.

4.  REMEMBER SUPPORT SYSTEM: Stay in touch with loving, supportive, trusting family and friends. Technology can be your friend - consider a video call through FaceTime, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype or Zoom. Seeing your family and friends in any way can be a powerful support. Someone having a birthday or special day? Schedule a group video call! Works well for happy hours too. :)

5.  FOCUS ON WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY: Use the time doing those activities that bring you joy and happiness as much as possible, when you’re not working or home schooling children. Now’s the time to learn that language or start your memoirs.

6.  STAY SMART: We’re being advised to stay home as much as possible so listen, wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face, and resist the urge to see others who seem ‘symptom-free.’ Be diligent and practice excellent hygiene and social distancing to protect yourself, your family and others.

7.  BE IN SERVICE: If you are able, and it is safe for you to do so, reach out to those more vulnerable with offers to pick up groceries or to stay in touch with a phone call. Call a friend and see who needs toilet paper.

8.  CULTIVATE GRATITUDE: Make a list of all the things you are grateful for. You’ll quickly see how many blessings you have. Bonus? Studies show Gratitude helps counteract depression and improve sleep and overall health.

9.  HEALTHY HABITS: Maintain a healthy routine and schedule. This includes fresh air, rand adherence to a regular, healthy sleep schedule.

10.  GET SUPPORT: Don’t be a hero. If you experience heightened anxiety, contact a mental-health professional - most are seeing patients over technology and / or doing phone sessions.

KICK OFF YOUR SHOES

Summer is around the corner! It's a time when we naturally want to feel the grass, the sand, and the water.  In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Summertime is ruled by the Fire Element. And the Fire element is controlled by The Water element, meaning water controls the amount of fire present. During summer, we can maintain harmony and balance by controlling any excess fire with water.  So while grounding in water is great at any time, it's especially true during the Summer!   Here are two quick easy ways to ground - one with water, one without. Give these a try and let me know how it has worked for you, or with any questions!

IN WATER - While floating in an ocean, sea or lake is great, you don't need to be near an actual body of water to ground in water. You can also do this by taking a long soak in a tub, or, if time is limited, a fast shower. Fast, or slow, the importance of holding the INTENTION of the water controlling any excess fire is the key here.

WITHOUT WATER - Mountain pose is an instant strength builder. Try this if you need a hit of soft yet profoundly deep strength:

1) Sit up straight in a cross-legged position with your hands resting on your knees. This creates the outline of a pyramid-shaped mountain.
2) With your eyes closed, take a few long deep breaths, concentrating on the quiet, yet powerful mountain of your being.  

WINTER - The Ultimate Inner Journey

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter, everywhere you go ... While wintertime brings a host of unique gifts and energies, hibernation is a central theme. For many, this means the advent of hibernation from the cold - more time spent indoors. Just as nature calls many of its creatures into hibernation, our inner nature also calls us inward during winter - into seeing ourselves more deeply. This important practice can be a challenge during the holiday season with a flurry of not just snow, but activities like shopping, decorating, baking, parties and general merriment. Worse, for some, the season brings unwanted stress and overeating - not good for our health and bodies. In Chinese Medicine, this is the time of year when it is critical we create a sacred space inside our home AND inside our body to maintain harmony and balance. It's the time of year when we can harness and utilize the powerful energy of Winter to create our dreams!

Have you ever seen the movements of Tai Chi Masters? So gentle and fluid and yet so incredibly powerful. They symbolize the Movement and Magic of Water, the Element of Winter. The Water Element is considered the most powerful element of all. Join me in my online Winter Playshop on Thursday, Dec 20 from 7-8 pm EST to learn why, and how to harness and utilize the powerful energy of Winter for optimal health in spirit, mind and body.  

I think that the following quote from the TAO CHENG, which was written in the 11th Century A.D., explains the power of the water element perfectly ...

“Water extinguishes Fire, or finding itself likely to be defeated escapes as steam and reforms. Water washes away soft Earth, or when confronted with rocks, seeks a way round. Water corrodes metal till it crumbles to dust: it saturates the atmosphere so that wind dies. Water gives way to obstacles with deceptive humility, for no power can prevent it following its destined course to the sea. Water conquers by yielding: it never attacks but wins the battle. The sage who makes himself as water is distinguished for his humility. He embraces passivity, acts from non action and conquers the world.”

Dr. Sachichinese medicine, winter