Summer energy

Summer is definitely here. Another change in season... 

The Macrocosmic and Microcosmic Associations for summer are as follows:

Universal Macrocosm

Color: Red

Flavor: Bitter

Climate: Hot

Hours: 9 am - 1 pm

Development phase: Blooming, fruiting

Direction: South

Activity: Expands

Human Microcosm

Organ Yin: Heart, pericardium

Organ Yang: Small intestine, Triple Burner

Vital functions: Blood, endocrine

Bodily secretions: Sweat

Emotion: Joy

External apertures: Tongue, throat

Life cycle: Youth

Healing sound: Her

Tissue: Blood vessels

Psychic and Personality Traits

Tissue: Blood vessels

Energy Type: Fusing

Ability: Communication

Mental preoccupation: Stimulation

Obsessions: Pleasure, desire, love, divinity

Tendencies: Excitement, contact

Emotional need: Being in love

Psychic fear: Isolation

Emotional weakness: Instability

Spring energy

Spring is here ! Rain, sun, buds, flowers, green... With the change in season, let's look at the various dimensions we may want to be aware of as mind and body is adjusting to this new period of life.

The Macrocosmic and Microcosmic Associations for spring are as follows:

Universal Macrocosm

Color: Green
Flavor: Sour
Climate: windy
Hours: 3 - 7am
Development phase: Spouting, growing
Direction: East
Activity: Generates

Human Microcosm

Organ Yin: Liver
Organ Yang: Gallbladder
Vital function: Nervous System
Bodily secretions: Tears
Emotion: Anger
External: apertures: Eyes
Life cycle: Infancy
Healing sound: Hsu
Tissue: Ligaments, nerves, nails

Psychic and Personality Traits

Energy type: Expanding
Ability: Initiative
Mental preoccupation: Work
Obsessions: Answers, choices, goals
Tendencies: Risk, busy work
Emotional need: Arousal
Psychic fear: Helplessness
Virtue: Benevolence
Emotional weakness: Depression

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.”

Practicing Qigong

Here are some thoughts in no particular order about practicing Qigong:

- the more you practice, the more benefits you'll experience

- the Qigong practice requires discipline and commitment

- the Qigong practice trains the mind to move the energy; this is a type of meditation, highly effective in improving brain function

- the Qigong practice is opening the internal energetic channels

- by opening the internal channels, the body benefits from the increased energetic balance and its healing effects 

- the exchange of energy is becoming more efficient: sending out the energy associated with bad feelings and illness, bringing in the energy associated with promoting health and mental balance

- there is an increase in stamina, flexibility and overall sense of confidence

Happy New Year!

Life is Always Smiling

Life is Always Smiling is the title of Prof Chen's autobiographical book recently published as an eBook on Amazon,  with  Teri Applegate (Editor), Ping Ping Li (Editor), Eric Orr (Editor)


It is her amazing journey written with humor, wisdom and self-reflection. For me, this reading was very inspiring. Starting with her childhood, the book portraits life in communist China and the hardships encountered and overcome.
Second part of the book is the remarkable story of her healing and changing her life with Qigong practice and study. It is an example of determination, persistence and inner power and the profound results in health and spiritual growth Qigong can offer.





Professor Chen Hui Xian is a Master Qigong living in California. She is teaching various forms of Qigong, including Chinese Essence Qigong, Awakening Light Gong, Soaring Crane Qigong, Turtle Longevity and Clapping Hands.

More information about professor Chen is at: Wisdom and Peace Wellness Center

Energy and Qigong

In "A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung", Daniel Reid describes the benefits of chi-gung:

(The spelling I normally use is "qigong"; but the text below includes quotes from Daniel Reid's book who is using the "chi-gung" spelling; so I'll respect that.)

"One of the most important benefits of chi-gung in terms of energy is emotional equilibrium. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views emotions as forms of errant energy moving uncontrolled through the system.
The "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" states:
"Anger causes energy to joy causes energy to slow down, grief causes energy to dissipate, fear causes energy to descend, fright causes energy to scatter, exhaustion causes energy to wither, worry causes energy to stagnate."
TCM diagnoses emotional imbalance in terms of organic disfunctions in the body, nutritional deficiencies, environmental factors, and the disruptive effects of external forces and energy fields on the human system.
By re-establishing and maintaining the energy balance, chi-gung has a benefic impact on the emotional equilibrium.
Another beneficial effect of chi-gung practice on energy is that it establishes harmonic resonance between the human energy system and the ambient energy pulse of the planet.

The physical relaxation, mental tranquility, emotional equilibrium permit the energy to flow freely through the entire human system. This serves as a general tune-up for all of the body's vital functions, balance energies, and draws supplemental energy sup cosmos, supplies into the system from nature and the cosmos, while clearing the channels of stagnant energy. Since energy is the foundation of both physical and mental health, chi-gung recharges and rebalances body as well as mind and harmonizes them both with the rejuvenating powers of cosmos and earth.

Types of Human Energy

An excellent book that I highly recommend is "A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung" by Daniel Reid. As you noticed, the spelling is different "chi-gung" vs. "qigong", but the meaning is the same.

In this book, Daniel Reid provides the following list: (I am quoting excerpts from the Types of Human Energy Chapter.)

- Yuan-chi (primordial energy). This is the prenatal energy with which every human being is born. This potential yuan-chi is limited, so the faster we use it up due to poor diet, frequent illness, chronic stress and 'fast living', the shorter our lifespan and weaker our immune response becomes. Yuan-chi is sometimes referred to as Water energy and an important foundation for sustaining health and attaining longevity. Its conservation and tonification are fundamental principles in qigong practice.
- Jen-chi (true energy). This is the postnatal energy derived from digestion, respiration, and the other bodily functions. Also known as Fire energy, it begins to supply the system with energy the moment the baby has its umbilical cord cut and draws its first breath of air. True energy is produced in the blood when the nutrient energies refined from food digestion meet in the blood stream with atmospheric energies extracted from air by the lungs. Qigong improves the body's capacity to produce True energy, thus helps conserve precious stores of yuan-chi by enhancing the body's supplies of jen-chi. True energy takes two forms: nourishing energy and guardian energy.
- Ying-chi (nourishing energy). Ying-chi is the fuel of metabolism and other vital functions of the organs and cells, and it travels within the blood vessels and the energy meridians, which distribute it to every organ, gland, tissue and cell of the body, providing the basic nourishment and energy that activates the entire system. Its potency depends upon the quality of food and water consumed, the purity of air one breathes, and the efficiency of the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems. Qigong gives a powerful boost to all of these functions, insuring adequate supplies of this energy to the whole system.
- Wei-chi (guardian energy). Guardian energy is distributed evenly throughout the surface of the body, in the subcutaneous tissue of the skin and around the exterior surface, where it forms a protective shell of energy that resists invasion by aberrant external energies from the environment, such as extremes of weather, radiation and negative energies from other people.
- Dzang and fu chi (solid and hollow organ energy). These are the energies associated with the 'solid' Yin organs (dzang) and the 'hollow' Yang organs (fu), each pair of which is governed by one of the Five Elemental Energies. The vital organ-energies of the solid and hollow organs respond to external sources of the Five Elemental energies drawn from nature through food, water, air, weather factors, colors and herbs, as well as internal factors such as emotions, thoughts, hormones and metabolic processes. Qigong practice insures the mutual balance which is a primary indicator of health.
- Jing-chi (essential energy). This is the potent type of energy derived from the purest, most potent forms of essence in the body. When this is happening, the jing-chi energy suffuses the entire body with a potent vitality that enhances immunity, promotes mental clarity, increases stamina and prolongs life.
- Ling-ch (spiritual energy). This is the subtlest and most highly refined of all energies in the human system. This type of highly refined energy enhances spiritual awareness, improves all cerebral functions, and constitutes the basic fuel for the highest level of spiritual work.



Daniel Reid is a bestselling author and a leading expert on eastern philosophy and medicine. He has written numerous books and magazine articles on various aspects of Asian self-health and self-healing practices, and has established an international reputation for the practical efficacy of his traditional approach to modern health problems. 
You can find more info at: http://www.danreid.org/

Enjoy!

Energy

We are all energy. The Universe is energy.

Qi is the vital energy, life force, essential for our lives.

In traditional Chinese philosophy, "yuan" is the Original energy, Integral energy. It is the energy the Universe is made of, the energy before "Big Bang". It is the root of all changes, an undifferentiated energy.

From the Integral energy, yin and yang developed and, together, form the energy (qi) of all matter. Us, human beings, are microcosms in which yin and yang interact. A body with balanced yin and yang, is a healthy, energetic body and we are happy, fulfilled beings. We have pre-natal qi, the qi we received from our parents, and post-natal the qi, which we get from food. The post-natal qi could be enhanced by practicing qigong, the science of working with qi.

Our qi is influenced by everything we do, including what we eat, what we drink, our surroundings, people we interact with, etc.
Our qi is also influenced by our thoughts, emotions and desires.

The Five Element Theory describes in details and elaborate scheme of associations that shows how qi is influenced.

Here are some highlights:
The Five Elements are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.
Associated respective directions: East, South, Center, West, North.
Respective seasons: Spring, Summer, Long Summer, Autumn, Winter
Respective colors: Green, Red, Yellow, White, Black
Respective taste: Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, Salty,
Respective emotion: Anger, Happiness, Pensiveness, Sadness, Fear
Yin Organ: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lungs, Kidneys

If you are interested in reading more, here are some resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jing_(Chinese_medicine)
Chinese Soaring Crane Qigong, Zhao, Jin-xian; translated by, Chen, Hui-xian
The Root of Chinese Qigong, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming