Fall Movement

Do you ever have difficulty with life during the changing of the seasons?  Perhaps you’ve noticed that you are overly sensitive during the winter, angry or a little up tight during the spring. On a physical note you may be exhausted, feel sluggish, or just can’t seem to get up and go do the things you want. All of these things could be a sign that your energy is out of balance, and you are not able to properly transition either emotionally or physically with the season. As we have stated in our other articles, the human body is a mere reflection of our environment. As the seasons change so do our bodies and our emotions. Since autumn belongs to the Metal Element, we would suggest doing a gentle form of qigong to enhance the function of the Lung and Colon meridians. These two organs are the yin yang organ pair of the Metal Element. This qigong is especially useful when there is a sense of grief, mourning, or sadness, or if there is a history of respiratory illnesses or shortness of breath. If the Lung Qi is weak our emotional protection is reduced, making us vulnerable to negative thoughts and feelings of others as well as from ourselves. Our physical protection from colds and other illness is also reduced when the Lung Qi is weak. So!  Stock up on your Qi for the fall, and practice this easy 5 minute routine.

Follow the diagram provided:

1. A)Begin in horse stance (feet shoulder width apart), turn the palms up in front of your body and raise the hands along the        
   

      torso.  Inhale as the hands come up.

B) When the hands reach the heart complete the inhalation.

C) Turn the palms out to the sides and push outward, begin the exhalation with the sound “sssssss”.

500. D)Continue pushing the palms out to the sides and aspirating until the arms are fully extended  The focus of the push     should be on the thumb and forefinger of each hand.
     

E) Turn the palms to the ground and slowly lower to the sides while continuing the aspiration.

6. F) Return to the starting posture and repeat 6 to 9 times.
   

The optimum time to practice this is between 3 and 5am or 3 and 5pm.  However, if it means not getting it done, you can practice whenever and wherever you choose.

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Late Summer/Autumn

The change of seasons represents the possibility for change in our lives. Late Summer is not necessarily considered a season on its own, yet it corresponds to the very beginning of each new season as a change in direction and temperature.  Late Summer is an excellent time of year to assist our spleen in its function of the assimilation of foods.

Late Summer relates to the earth element and the Stomach and Spleen organ systems.  The spleen processes our food as well as our thoughts.  Nourishment and support through nutritious foods for the spleen, assists our ability to focus, while reducing thought patterns that are stale and repetitive. Corresponding foods for the earth element are two types of sweet, full and empty. The flavor full sweet can replenish the energies of organs, providing a comforting, warming and tonifying effect which supplements deficiencies and encourages relaxation by slowing down the many functions of the body.

•   The “full sweets” include most meats, grains, legumes, nuts, dairy, squash and other starchy vegetables. Consumption of full sweets will strengthen and tonify the body.

•   Limit your consumption of “empty sweets”, such as fresh fruits; these should be approached as ambrosia.

•   Avoid as much as possible convoluted sweets which include refined sugars like white and brown sugar, corn syrup and fructose. They are empty of nutrients and empty of Qi and found in packaged and processed foods. 

•   Enjoy plenty of neutral harmonizing foods: golden, yellow foods, round food: millet, squashes, prepared simply with minimal seasonings. These are great nourishing foods for the spleen.

Autumn relates to the metal element and the lung and colon organ systems. The lung and colon consolidate and refine the food and air which will sustain us through the upcoming season and bring vitality to our lives.  We assimilate what is useful for our bodies and let go of that which is not needed.  Autumn is an excellent time of year to bring your focus inward and clean out your living and work spaces so you can breathe easier and allow the process of life to move smoothly through you. Those things which are no longer of use we can discard or recycle.

Moderate pungent foods have a dispersing and flowing quality and correspond to the metal element. They send the Qi up and out and disperses toxins from the body which aids in circulation of blood, moves obstruction and mucous, removes excess and fullness and stimulates vitality. Regular use of mild pungeants keep the blood moving and include ginger, cinnamon, horseradish, mustard, nutmeg, turnips, cabbage, wheat germ, peppers and onions.

Support the movement of the season:

•Cook with less water, on low heat for longer periods of time.

•In the fall, Qi moves inward and you can increase your protein intake.

•Look for seasonal foods, figs, dates, guavas, honey, butternut and acorn squashes are all foods that contain moisture.  The flavor sour will help with focus: adzuki beans, leeks, pickles and Kim Chi.

•For those easily cold or chilled, add heartier flavors and foods focused on preparation, baking, stewing, concentrated food and roots to thicken.

•Add more salt to foods as you gradually move towards winter.

•Practice Hula Gong Qigong to assist the bodies Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) and help strengthen the Lungs for the cold and flu season. Look for Hula Gong on October 12, 2008 at The Wellspring School.

Keeping Colds and the Flu at Bay

Sniffle, sniffle, cough…

The dismal mantra is already echoing in schools, stores and workplaces.

Fall is here, and with it cold and flu season.  This is an excellent time to take some simple measures to reduce your chances of coming down with ‘something nasty’.

What are colds? What is the flu?  Why do we catch them?  Why do some people never catch colds?  Why do others always catch them? We all wonder, fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can clear up many of these questions.

There are two main reasons that a pathogen can invade our body:

•The pathogen is exceptionally strong.

OR

•Our immune system is compromised and we are weak allowing a pathogen to enter our bodies.

Exceptionally strong pathogens are seen in cases of serious epidemics, where people with even the strongest immune systems might fall prey to their devastation.  Think of the Black Plague.

The second cause, weakened immunity,  is the most common reason for us to fall ill from an exterior invasion.  So, why is our immune system compromised?  There are a number of reasons including: 

•exhaustion or fatigue

•poor nutrition or irregular eating habits

•dressing inappropriately for the weather

•sudden shifts in the weather, temperature or barometric pressure

•extreme life changes

•stress

•a constitutionally weak immune system.

So what can you do?

Autumn, with its swiftly changing weather is a common time for many people to become sick. By following a few simple guidelines and boosting your immune system, those annoying colds and flu can be treated more effectively, if not avoided altogether.

Try a few of these tips:

☼Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin C to boost your immune system.  Dark leafy greens, nettle tea, rose hip tea, citrus fruit, & sweet potatoes are just a few.  –Avoid too much orange juice.  Although high in vitamin C, it is very mucus forming and will increase congestion.

☼Dress appropriately for the weather. Wear a scarf to keep your neck warm and covered. Wind and cold can easily penetrate the neck, causing stiffness and chills.

☼Eat foods that are seasonally appropriate.  All seasons have foods that specifically help our body adjust to the coming season.  Enjoy roots, whole grains and warmer, slower cooked soups and stews to help you transition to cooler weather.

☼Daily practice of meditation, Qigong, or Tai Chi has been proven to help boost the immune system. Even more, they help to reduce stress and lift your spirits (something we all can use year round).

☼Find Yin (quiet rest) time.  Make sure to allow yourself plenty of rest as the days get shorter. Fall and winter are natural times to move inward and our natural rhythms require more rest in the darker months.

☼Amma bodywork therapy and acupuncture can help build the body’s defense against colds and flu by helping to keep your energies strong and balanced. Amma can be especially beneficial to those who are prone to getting colds or flu in the winter months.

Remember, if you start to feel like you are coming down with something, the faster you act, the less time it has to penetrate deeper into your body. Contact your local practitioner to get in and get an Amma treatment before a cold or flu wipes you out. Your Crowell, Feeney & Associates practitioner can help to determine what the cause of the invasion is and can choose an herbal formula or congee recipe to help your pattern of disharmony.

Treatment of Colds & Flu will be offered by April, through The Wellspring School on October 23 & 30th, 2 Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm, $50 if you would like to know call us at 388-0206.

Have a happy and HEALTHY autumn!

Autumn Squash & Corn Stew

 

1 large onion, diced

1 green pepper, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 medium sized butternut squash

1-quart chicken or vegetable broth

2 cups fresh corn (if using frozen, thaw first)

3 carrots cut

2 T. butter or olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Delightfully warm and colorful this soup is one of my favorites on a cool autumn day.  If you want it richer, use organic beef broth instead of chicken.

In large pot, melt butter.  Saute’ onions and peppers until just tender.  Add in broth. 

Peel, seed and cut squash into 1 1/2 inch cubes.  Add to soup with corn and carrots.  Season to taste.  Cook until squash is soft, about 45 minutes.  Serve with corn bread.

updated 10/2008

Give the Gift of Health this Season!

It’s that holiday time of year again, and if you’re stumped for what to give that special someone who always seems to already have everything, what better give could there be than a gift certificate for an Amma treatment or acupuncture?

From now through the end of the year, when you buy a gift certificate at regular therapy price ($55 - $85, depending on practitioner), you’ll receive a voucher for $10 off your next Amma or acupuncture visit with a participating therapist.

In a world often filled with over consumption, overwork, and overwhelm, the gift of a bodywork session will be greatly appreciated- not to mention the savings you’ll receive on your next treatment too!

Call us at 388-0206 (we can take a credit/debit card over the phone and mail the certificate to you) or stop by the office at

725 N. 15th Street to purchase a gift certificate today!