Yang Sheng -- September
In Chinese medicine we know that wellness comes from our everyday actions. The goal is to keep people healthy, rather than treat disease. In this email I will share the principles of Yang Shang, the Art of Nourishing Life. This will be a monthly email providing some ideas on ways that you can incorporate the medicine into your everyday life. There are five different elements that we will explore, just like the ancient doctors explored and shared through the Classical Chinese medical text, Huang Di Nei Jing, the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic.
Here are the basic concepts for you to consider along with specifics for this month. Enjoy September and please let me know if you practice any of these methods!
This time of year in Chinese medicine is considered a second summer. It begins in mid-August and winds down with the Autumn Equinox on September 22. It’s a season connected with the Earth element. Focus on grounding, nurturing, and reflection. Pay attention to digestion during late summer – How is your appetite? Is stress affecting your stomach? Show your belly some love.
Pose of the Month -- Plow Pose, or Halasana.
Benefits
Stimulates the abdominal organs.
Balances the thyroid gland.
Stretches the spine, shoulders and back of the legs.
Opens the upper back and chest.
Calms the mind and reduces stress and fatigue.
Sweet foods that strengthen the Earth element include whole grains, like millet, rice, and root vegetables, such as yams, sweet potatoes and carrots. Enjoy the sweet fruits and veggies that are in season and available in the late summer harvest.
It would be an ideal time to incorporate some Rice Congee a rice porridge made by boiling rice in a great deal of water until it breaks down into a pudding-like consistency (1 cup rice to 6 - 8 cups water). This is a wonderful way to Nourish Stomach Yin (the lining of the stomach) and support Stomach and Spleen Qi to aide the break down and digestion of food. You can top it with poached eggs, mushrooms, seaweed, and lightly steamed veggies.
To benefit digestion I suggest incorporating an eating window into your day. I like 7am to 7pm because the organs of digestion are still meant to be working during this window. This is a great way to balance the Yin/Yang elements. If this doesn't work in your life be sure to have some kind of consistency with when you eat. More than anything the body likes consistency!
For more information on the biological clock in Chinese medicine read this blog post.
