Asian Medicine looks toward the elements for guidance on how to live more harmoniously with the natural world. Each season affords us the opportunity to realign ourselves – body, mind and spirit – for more vibrancy and well-being.
In winter, nature quiets down; the trees are bare, the fields have been plowed under, animal and insect activity has diminished, and the nights are long. Essentially, nature is taking a rest, and that is our cue to do the same.
Water is the element of winter. The corresponding organs are the Kidneys and the Bladder, the emotions are fear and will-power, the color is blue-black, and the sound is groaning. According to the Chinese Clock, the strong time of day for the Bladder is 3 – 5 pm, and 5 – 7 pm for the Kidneys.
The Kidneys are considered the most essential organs because they store our ‘primordial chi’ – the finite amount of energy we are born with. Primordial or congenital chi is determined at conception. It establishes our vitality and constitution – the type of person we are. It can be preserved, but cannot be replenished. Once the primordial chi is exhausted, we have reached the end of our lives.
The healthier we live, and the more we build or maintain our ‘acquired chi' – the chi that can be generated and renewed – the less we need to tap into our primordial chi. Acquired chi can be created through the intake of nutritious foods, clean air (breath), herbs, resting, energy work such as medical Chi-Kung, exercises such as Chi-Kung, Tai Chi, restorative Yoga, and of course, through receiving Acupuncture.
Consider primordial chi as your savings account with a finite dollar amount that can never be added to. Acquired chi is like your checking account. You can add to this account, and the more you have in checking, the less you have to dip into your savings!
Living harmoniously with the seasons, especially winter, is an important way to conserve and build your acquired chi, thus preserving and extending your precious primordial chi.
Instead of going against the nature of winter, think of yourself as going into semi-hibernation. Lounge more, rest deeply, sleep more, or stretch while breathing deeply and remember to get your seasonal acupuncture tune-up, so you can stay well!
For more on how to stay healthy in winter, including dietary recommendations, please read Part II.
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