Winter - Water Energy

We are transitioning into the winter - we just celebrated the solstice. It is time to slow down (despite the high intensities associated with the holidays) and find time to nourish ourselves.

Make sure you are aware and try to keep in mind the associations with the water element. They are listed below, the source being Daniel Reid's "A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung".

Universal Macrocosm
Color: Black
Flavour: Salty
Climate: Cold
Hours: 9pm - 1am
Development: Dormancy, storage
Direction: North
Season: Winter
Activity: Conserve

Human Microcosm

Yin organ: Kidney
Yang organ: Bladder
Vital function: Urinary, reproductive
Bodily secretions: Urine, sexual fluids
Emotion: Fear
External apertures: Ears
Life cycle: Death
Healing sound: Chway
Tissue: Bones, marrow, brain

Psychic and Personality Traits

Energy type: Conserving
Ability: Imagination
Mental preoccupation: Secret, mystery
Obsessions: Mysteries, death, visions, facts
Tendencies: Solitude, isolation
Emotional need: Being protected
Psychic fear: Extinction
Virtue: Wisdom
Emotional weakness: Fear

Autumn - Metal Energy

Beautiful colors, colder weather, falling leaves and rain - this is Autumn. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Autumn is associated with Metal energy.

The  Metal Energy and its associations as described in Daniel Reid's "A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung"  are as follows:

Universal Macrocosm
Color: White
Flavor: Pungent
Climate: Dry
Hours: 3 - 7 p.m.
Development phase: Withering, decaying
Direction: West
Activity: Contracting

Human Microcosm
Organ Yin: Lungs
Organ Yang: Large Intestine
Vital function: Respiration, skin
Bodily secretions: Mucus
Emotion: Grief
External apertures: Nose
Life cycle: Old age
Healing sound: Shee
Tissue: Skin, hair

Psychic and Personality Traits
Energy Type: Condensing
Ability: Discrimination
Mental preoccupation: Ritual
Obsessions: Perfection, order, standards
Tendencies: Follow orders, make judgements
Emotional need: Being right
Psychic fear: Corruption
Virtue: Rectitude
Emotional Weakness: Anguish

The two basic transformation cycles were mentioned before:
Creative cycle (sheng):, or generative cycle, in which one energy stimulates and amplifies the next: Water generates Wood, which generates Fire, which generates Earth, which produces Metal, which completes the cycle by creating Water.
The control (ke) or subjugative cycle, whereby one energy impedes and reduces the activity of the next: Water impedes Fire, which reduces Metal, which impedes Wood, which reduces Earth, which completes the cycle by impeding Water.

Transition from Summer to Autumn: Earth Energy

The calendar tells us that the Autumn is here, but we all feel that we are still transitioning from Summer.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this Late Summer is a special season, associated with the Earth energy.

The  Earth Energy and its associations as described in Daniel Reid's "A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung"  are as follows:

Universal Macrocosm
Color: Yellow
Flavor: Sweet
Climate: Damp
Hours: 1-3, 7-9 a.m. / 1-3, 7-9 p.m.
Development phase: Ripening
Direction: Centre
Activity: Stabilize

Human Microcosm
Organ Yin: Spleen
Organ Yang: Stomach
Vital function: Digestion, lymph, muscle
Bodily secretions: Saliva
Emotion: Obsession
External apertures: Lips, mouth
Life cycle: Maturity
Healing sound: Hoo
Tissue: Fat, muscle

Psychic and Personality Traits
Energy Type: Moderating
Ability: Negotiation
Mental preoccupation: Detail
Obsessions: Manipulation, loyalties, security
Tendencies: Comfort, company
Emotional need: Being needed
Psychic fear: Confusion
Virtue: Faith
Emotional Weakness: Obsession

The two basic transformation cycles were mentioned before:
Creative cycle (sheng):, or generative cycle, in which one energy stimulates and amplifies the next: Water generates Wood, which generates Fire, which generates Earth, which produces Metal, which completes the cycle by creating Water.
The control (ke) or subjugative cycle, whereby one energy impedes and reduces the activity of the next: Water impedes Fire, which reduces Metal, which impedes Wood, which reduces Earth, which completes the cycle by impeding Water.

Summer Energy

The summer energy is fire.

Here are the Macrocosmic and Microcosmic associations with Fire:

Universal Macrocosm:

Color: Red
Flavor: Bitter
Climate: Hot
Hours: 9am - 1pm
Development phase: Blooming, fruiting
Direction: South
Activity: Expands

Human Microcosm:

Organ Yin: Heart, pericardium
Organ Yang: Small intestine, Triple Burner
Vital function: Blood, endocrine
Bodily secretions: Sweat
Emotion: Joy
External apertures: Tongue, throat
Life cycle: Youth
Haling sound: Her
Tissue: Blood vessels

Psychic and Personality Traits

Energy type: Fusing
Ability: Communications
Mental preoccupations: Stimulation
Obsessions: Pleasure, desire, love, divinity
Tendencies: Excitement, contact
Emotional need: Being in love
Psychic fear: Isolation
Virtue: Propriety
Emotional weakness: Instability

An ancient Chinese treatise on energy states:
" By the transformation of yang and its union with yin, the Five Elemental Energies of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water arise, each with its own specific nature according to its share of yin and yang... The Five Elemental Energies combine and recombine in countless ways to create manifest existence. All things contain all Five Elemental Energies in various proportions".

Between the Five Elemental Energies there is a creative and a controlling cycle. The creative cycle is: Wood -> Fire ->  Earth -> Metal -> Water -> Wood. The controlling cycle is: Water -> Fire -> Metal -> Wood -> Earth -> Water.

These complementary cycles automatically adjust the overall balance and functional harmony of the whole system according to the relative polarities of yin and yang. Whenever a condition of imbalance arises between two energies and their respective functions, the creative and controlling cycles compensate and correct the imbalance, restoring the harmony of the system.

Qigong Events in and around Seattle:

 Free qigong classes in July at Two Dog Yoga
 Yi Ren Qigong - summer offerings

Spring Energy

Spring is the season of growth and renewal, when new forms are created using the energies rested, germinated and hibernated through the cold winter. All nature explode into new life in a rapid growth. This is represented by Wood Energy.

Wood Energy and Universal Macrocosms:
Color: Green
Taste: Sour
Smell: Goatish
Climate: Windy
Hours: 3 - 7 am
Development phase: Sprouting, growing
Direction: East
Activity: Generates

Wood Energy and Human Microcosm:
Organ Yin: Liver
Organ Yang: Gall blader
Vital Function: Nervous System
Bodily secretion: Tears
Negative Emotion: Anger
Positive Emotion: Decisiveness
External apertures: Eyes
Life cycle: Infancy
Healing Sound: Xu ("Shoooo:)

Wood Energy and Psychic and Personality Traits
Energy Type: Expanding
Ability: Initiative
Mental Preocvupation: Work
Obsessions: Answers, choices, goals
Tendencies: Risk, busy work
Emotional need: Arousal
Psychic fear: Helplessness
Virtue: Benevolence
Emotional Weakness: Depression

Spring is a time for cleansing and rejuvenation at physical and psychical level. As it is mentioned above, the yin organ associated with the wood element is liver and the negative emotion associated with it is anger. Fostering anger leads to liver problems, the same as alcohol and drugs do. It is our choice: do we keep a negative state of mind or learn how to move on and let go? There is now scientific prove that negative state of mind and stress block the secretion of hormones and neurotransmiters associated with healing and stimulate the "fight or flight" hormones and neurochemicals that suppress immune response and stress the entire system. A calm state of mind with peaceful and loving thoughts promote health and well-being.

The wind associated with the Wood element symbolizes the flexibility, change in nature, in people, in situations, in life, etc. When well controlled and directed, the wind of the wood element creates positive outcomes. The paradigm of wind is also associated (on its negative side) with the spring colds. Direct the energy of spring toward better state of mind and better habits to take care of the body. Do meditation and qigong, embrace the freshness of nature and cultivate peace and love.

Yi Ren Qigong

Yi Ren(TM)  Qigong is a new form developed by Dr. Guan-Cheng Sun, PhD, who is the founder and executive director of the Institute of Qigong & Integrative Medicine in Seattle.

Institute's Mission is: Provide exemplary education and training for the development of Qi-Mind-Body-Soul integration that will empower individuals in self-healing and fulfillment of their inherent potential.

 Vision: Every individual will be supported in accessing their maximum potential in health and self-fulfillment to the level they desire through education, research and community.

 Yi is the way of change. Ren is human. The system has its roots in two Qigong Schools from Northern China. 

In the Yi Ren (TM)  system there are four Guiding Principles: 

Guiding Principle # 1:

Empower the Potential Life Force and the Healing Power Within

Guiding Principle # 2:

Improve Balance and Harmony Within and Without

Guiding Principle # 3:

Enhance the Strength and the Ability of the Body, not of Disease  

Guiding Principle # 4:

Assist Individuals to Identify and Treat the Cause and Root of Their Health Condition

Starting with simple exercises, through steady practice of qigong exercises and breathing techniques, we learn how to give our bodies the gift of activating and stabilizing the bio-energy-information-system (BEIS).

The Institute of Qigong and Integrative Medicine (IQ&IM) also hosts "I HEAL Community" which has lots of events  for everybody interested in exploring paths to improve and maintain health.

You'll find a lot more information on the IQ&IM website. Enjoy!

A bit of History of Qigong and Soaring Crane Qigong

(Content quotes and paraphrases parts from the Introduction chapter of the Soaring Crane Qigong by Zhao, Jin-xiang, Translated by Chen, Hui-xian and edited by Terry Applegate.)

First references date from 5,000 years ago in the Tang dynasty. A primitive form of qigong that was passed down is described as form of dance people used to rid themselves of pain.

In the sixth century B.C., Lao-zi writes Dao De Jing where there are many references to qigong. One of his followers, Shuang-zi, a famous philosopher from 2000 years ago, is also recognized as an ancient qigong practitioner.

“The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine”, published in 100 B.C., is the classic of Traditional Chinese Medicine and includes many references on how qigong can be used to prevent and cure diseases.

There are thousands of qigong forms. Some examples include: Wild Goose, New Qigong Therapy, Six Character Method, Spontaneous Imitation of Five Animals, Turtle Longevity, Awakening Qigong and Soaring Crane Qigong.

Soaring Crane Qigong is a new form, developed by Master Zhao, Jin-xiang and brought to US by Professor Chen, Xui-xian. This form of qigong is organized into five routines and combines both mental and physical work. This is a medical qigong form that helps people improve their general health. It also has great benefits in one’s temperament and emotional balance. Through the practice of Soaring Crane Qigong, people accumulate qi (vital energy) which helps clean the channels which promote better health. Soaring Crane Qigong is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine and it adjusts spirit, breath, and posture.  Qigong practice also trains the will and the powers of concentration.

As Terry Applegate puts it: “Qigong is a self-help fitness exercise that is easy to learn and practice. In a world of uncertainties, independence with good health is invaluable.”