ZENBLOG // How to live well and vital in winter? Winter is the season of the Water element, the most Yin. Living by the seasons and with seasonal Yin, we can harmonize the body, support the immune system, and cultivate safety and the embodied wisdom. Embrace the wintertime!
Winter is the time of year that is most Yin-like, as in the north it is cold, quiet, and dark. Water freezes and the nature dresses to snow.
It is the time for slowing down, honoring the winter, doing less, and allowing ourselves to rest, restore and replenish. Winter offers a moment to slow down, pause and be gentle with ourselves. It allows us to listen the inner whispers of the spirit, in silence.
WATER & WINTER. In Chinese Medicine the winter is the season of the Water element, the most Yin of all the Elements. The organs of the Water are the kidneys and the urinary bladder. Kidneys are our batteries, the home of the vital energy (Jing) and the source of vitality. When they are depleted, we feel tired and we’re running in empty.
The Water element embraces stillness and encourages the conservation of energy.
We can harmonize the Water with resting, relaxing, using warm clothes, and doing renourishing activities.
HEAL FEAR WITH WISDOM. In the darkness the feelings of fear may raise. Fear is the emotion of the Water element when it is out of balance. When the emotions are balanced, we feel safe, trustful, alive, full of inner wisdom and willpower.
With mindful Yin we can gently work with our emotions to understand the reasons for our fears, let them go and create the feeling of safe with kindness and compassion. It requires inner wisdom but creates healthy willpower.
SEASONAL YIN FOR VITALITY. With the seasonal Yin we can harmonize ourselves with the nature.
The meridians, the energy channels of the Water run in the back of the body (the urinary bladder) and in the inner leg line (the kidneys). The seasonal Yin practice stresses, stretches and opens the back of the body, spine, pelvis, hamstrings, and the calves. The postures like caterpillar, sphinx, seal, legs-up-the-wall, half butterfly, and the other half asanas target to the back of the body and nurture the Water meridians.
The practice supports the well-being of the kidneys and the urinary bladder. After the practice we are full of warming energy, flowing vitality, and healthy willpower!
The Seasonal Yin sequence for the Water element can be found in Instagram: Zen Studio
SEASONAL DIET. What about the food? In each season, there are different foods and the ways of eating and cooking that supports the body best through the season. The proper diet for the body and the kidneys in the cold wintertime is warming and spicy.
Prepare your meals by boiling and steaming the food, eat warm meals, stews, soups, root vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, eggs, and add spices, ginger, onions, and garlic to warm up the body. Drink as hot drinks as you can, avoid ice water.
THE KEY LESSON for the Water is to trust in the flow of life, not resist neither control it. Live with the nature in the current of life. Create a safe space with self-understanding and self-love. Harmonizing ourselves with the seasons we can live well and vital in the winter!
NOTE: YIN for Water & Winter -workshop in Joogaruum, Tallinn on the 27th of January 2024
Warmly welcome to honor the winter and the Water element with healing Yin!
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