There are many teachings on clearing out emotions that have been collecting. In Chinese Medicine there are Five main emotions that govern the Organs and the flow of Qi and Blood which regulate the whole body. The emotions all have ways of clearing out through the Meridians (energy channels) that correspond to the different organs, out of the body and into the universe to transform into good for the greater whole. If they aren't cleared out in the right way, they are directed in the body into different patterns that may show up as something helpful to build the system, or lead to an imbalance that can result in a dis-eased state. It is important to learn ways to balance and regulate ones emotions especially when excess ones show up, for example the main Five Emotions of - Fear, Worry, Anger, Melancholy, and Grief.
If any of these emotions are showing up in your life more than another it is important to learn different ways to balance them. This can happen over night through rest, or after different sessions of therapy including through Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. It can happen through doing a sport to changing one's diet. Learning ways to help balance one's emotions and direct them in a healthy way in the world can help make it a better place.
Be well.
There are many foods that fall into the category of "superfoods" which are foods that provide more than the average boost of vitamins and minerals that come straight from nature. They are an excellent addition to health care regimes and according to Chinese Medicine work on specific pathways and organs in the body to help fuel them as we go through our day and night cycles. This month's focus is on Kale:
~ Kale - The temperature is Warm, its flavor is Bitter and Sweet. It's nutrients help boost the Lungs and Stomach. Kale is filled with many nutrients that help boost the Blood in Chinese Medicine. Bitter foods clear out dampness and heat from the body, while the Sweet flavor harmonizes other flavors and helps moisten dryness.
Kale can been cooked in many different ways, steaming helps hold in the moisture for the drier weather. Saute kale with lemon and oil for a delicious side dish. Dehydrate kale into chips is a fun way to make a healthy snack and massaging raw kale with salt is a start to a great salad.
Enjoy!
There are many different styles and intentions of meditation practices, finding one that inspires and is healing for you is very personal. Meditation is a health care practice for your mind, body and soul that can speed up healing processes and calm emotions. It can help you stay focused while taking a test, and has shown to improve mental clarity and memory amongst many other benefits.
Meditation can be done sitting in a chair, sitting on the floor, laying down, and even while walking in a crowd. It is as versatile as it needs to be giving us many ways to connect with ourselves. Here are some pointers I give to my patients who want to start a meditation practice for the first time.
~ Start out with short meditations a few days a week to see how you feel with it. When you were a child you learned to crawl before you walked, and you walked before you ran. There are many different "muscles" that you train when starting to build a meditation practice. Meditation is also a great detoxifier for the body and mind making each session unique.
~ Position - you may find that you are more comfortable in one position than another to sit for a period of time without falling asleep or your legs falling asleep. Over time these positions may change for you.
- Ready - To start, set a timer so you don't have to worry about checking a clock and turn your phone ringer off. For your first few times see where sitting for 3 minutes takes you, close your eyes, focus on taking slow, full breaths in and out. If your mind wanders to all the things you have to do, that's O.K., if you start to fade out and clear your mind, that is O.K. too. There is no right or wrong with starting to get your self used to spending time with yourself.
~ Remember - Each time you may feel and think different. Keeping a meditation journal is a wonderful way to track your personal progress and patterns.
Enjoy!
_Winter has arrived as the cold air brings on a stillness that can be felt even amongst the bustling of a city. It is a time when many animals go into hibernation, where our energies become focused more internally, a natural time for restorative healing. Through the lens of Chinese Medicine we can see Winter as the Element of Water. The Water Element is represented in the body by the Kidneys, Urinary Bladder and the Adrenal Glands. Regulating and restoring our body's ability to manage stress, our blood pressure, nutrients absorbed and the balance of fluids are some important functions of these organs.
Our Kidneys hold our will power to help us with achievements in life. This is a great time to access this essence that lies deep within us to help with life goals and creative projects we may have, meditation is an important practice of the season. With balancing our Water Element, we are able to calm the body's reaction to stress, regulate our nervous system, and help to strengthen our memory. Water also helps to calm emotions that rise up like the heat from a flame. Acupuncture, nutritional support and lifestyle tips found within Chinese Medicine are wonderful assistants in helping to heal ailments associated with the Water Element. Embrace the energies of the season and come in to Golden Leaf Natural Health for a seasonal balancing treatment!
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