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Look after yourself in Spring

Spring in Chinese Medicine

The element: wood

The emotion: anger

The organ: liver

We all contain the element of Wood within us. When this element is balanced, our energy flows freely around our body, we have a healthy relationship with anger and we work steadily towards our intentions or goals.  Balanced liver energy radiates through clear eyes, and keeps our digestive system running smoothly, we value ourselves and our boundaries and feel in tune with the natural rhythm of our body.

The energy of the earth in the northern hemisphere is rising.  This is a great time (I think this should be the official NY) to check in on our plans for the year and to let go of anything that doesn’t feel right.  Notice if there is are any feelings of frustration or blockages and explore them with compassion.

To nourish your Liver and your own Wood element, move your body in any way that brings you joy, and unless you are depleted (check in with a Chinese Medicine practitioner) start to really encourage the flow of Qi throughout your whole body. Eat lots of green food, notice the emergence of life, open the senses and allow the energy of awakening to come within. 

And as always, try meditating. I’ve written and recorded 19 meditations for In the Moment Magazine which is out today. Follow this link to listen to a sample of 5 of the meditations.

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  • This weekend we move from the fiery, Heart centred season of Summer in into Late Summer, where the Earth element and our digestive system (Spleen) dominates. . This is an extra season in Chinese Medicine which takes us through the beautiful transition of Summer to Autumn. The best way to connect with the Earth element and align ourselves with the natural rhythms of nature, is to be barefoot. . Some scientific research has shown that our bodies cells, tissues and even circadian rhythms benefit from direct contact with the electrons of the Earth. 15 minutes is all you need. . So as we transition, I’ll be at @thebigfeastival with @vivobarefoot and @thevvagon helping folk reconnect with their bodies and their feet in particular, and our great Mother Earth. 📷 @kkiliszek
  • The solstice today marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and Winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether the sun sits high or low in our sky, this point of the earth on her axis is a beautiful expression of the relationship between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang, has been used for centuries in China to illustrate movement of energy and change within nature and the body. . The ancient philosophy explains the dynamic of change within everything, forms the basis of diagnosis and treatment in Chinese Medicine and helps bring an awareness to actions we can take to integrate change for our health. . Midsummer is a day of full Yang: the sun, heat, the hours of daylight, Midwinter a day of full Yin: less sun, cold and the hours of night. . Crucial to Yin Yang theory, is there is always Yin within Yang or a movement towards the other. Nothing can only be Yin or Yang, and Solstice illustrates this point of pause (yin) before the movement (yang) towards transformation. . Like a wave there is a moment of pause in the crest, in the breath a moment of pause before the body releases, and in yoga, a moment of stillness within the movement of a pose. Nothing stays the same. Change is constant. If we respond and embody this process we encourage balance in our mind and body in the most organic way.
  • As we approach midsummer here, I’m longing for the sun. Heavy rain and low cloud has been constant the last few weeks, and I’m noticing the effects. I’ve lit my fire and still have the winter duvet on my bed. I have to push myself to move outdoors at times like this, but I know that 10 minutes will help increase my Vit D levels and 2 hours amongst trees impacts my immune system for up to 30 days. This weekend, I’m with @thevvagon and @vivobarefoot at The Top of the Valley Festival, walking folk among the woods, and teaching the origins of the ancient Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing). Ever careful about cultural appropriation, we will learn about the benefits of this ancient practice. Our experience of the woods will be a partnership, not a destination or mode to help us operate more productively. This is about getting back to the place where we merge with the environment that supported our evolution. Where we turn off our devices and use all our senses to be still for a while. We will be wandering, quietly. Trees know how to operate in a community and they have much to teach us.
  • △ Spring in Chinese Medicine △ The element: W O O D The emotion: anger The organ: liver We all contain the element of Wood within us. When this element is balanced, our energy flows freely around our body, we have a healthy relationship with anger and we work steadily towards our intentions or goals. Balanced liver energy radiates through clear eyes, and keeps our digestive system running smoothly, we value ourselves and our boundaries and feel in tune with the natural rhythm of our body. The energy of the earth in the northern hemisphere is rising. This is a great time (I think this should be the official NY) to check in on our plans for the year and to let go of anything that doesn’t feel right. Notice if there is are any feelings of frustration or blockages and explore them with compassion. To nourish your Liver and your own Wood element, move your body and unless you are depleted (check in with a Chinese Medicine practitioner) start to really encourage the flow of Qi throughout your body. Eat lots of green food, notice the emergence of life, open the senses and allow the energy of awakening to come within. And as always, try meditating. I’ve written and recorded 19 meditations for @inthemomentmag which is out today! Go to the link in my profile to access 5 FREE guided meditations.
  • Bristol Event! The beautiful @thevvagon (created by the folk at @vivobarefoot) is in in the city tomorrow (Sat 27th April) and I’m joining them for an afternoon of free workshops. Come to the Neptune Statue, Central Promenade (at the bottom of Park Street) where I’m giving three workshops on: ⋅ acupressure points for spring, ⋅ the benefits of forest bathing, ⋅ Q&A session on connecting with the seasons. Plus there is reflexology (starts at 10am), foot gate analysis and a mindfulness session. All for FREE! I’m on from 2pm-5pm.
  • It’s spring, my favourite time of year and should, in my opinion, be the actual new year. . I’m back from my mega break which didn’t go according to plan: three major hospital visits in total but everyone is ok. I had some surgery but have recovered well and am back in my wonderful clinic. I am brimming with love for the work that I do. . The work that helps you S L O W down. . The work that helps you listen to what your body is trying to tell you. . The work that gives you the quiet space to hear what feels right. . Some good stuff happening this year. . This is Scout among the wild garlic on a foraging stomp I did with @ellypear recently. . (and thank you @saspetherick for the words about my work that arrived during Monday’s mentoring session on the Fire Monkeys programme)
  • When I left the corporate world 12 years ago, I didn’t foresee the place I am in now. I’ve had a child, moved to Bristol, ended my marriage and have spent the last 4 years finding my feet, looking after my girl and keeping my business afloat. . 2018 was a year of real growth for me: I qualified as a Meditation teacher with the @britishschoolofmeditation and as a Yoga Teacher with @camyoga. Both were diplomas and involved in depth study of the philosophy as well as classroom practice - both important elements when learning a skill that doesn’t originate from your culture. . I also qualified as a youth mental health first aider with @elemental_health_uk and became and official volunteer with @OTR Bristol.. . The last 6 months of 2018 became a time of exploring how my work could be more diverse and how I could reach those less able to come and see me privately. I stopped working on a couple of projects and now volunteer as a yoga teacher at my daughter’s school as well as volunteering on a youth ward at the Children’s Hospital in Bristol, supporting the patients aged 11-18 and teaching them mindfulness and meditation skills. . A few weeks ago I decided I need to take some time out of clinic/private practice to consolidate these skills, and pour some energy into the future of The Quiet Heart. I also need to dive into the work of @susannabarkataki and @laylafsaad as well as continuing on @saspetherick ’s Fire Monkeys course. . I also need (and want) a rest. . I’ll be out of clinic until the first full week of spring - which in my opinion should be the actual New Year anyway - and I’ll be using the natural energy of this time of year to help me nourish my own self, ready for the rest of 2019.
  • ▽ Winter in Chinese Medicine ▽ . The element: water The emotion: fear The organ: the kidneys . We all contain the element of Water within us. When this is balanced, it shows up as feelings of creativity, an abundant flow of ideas, regular menstruation or a gentle menopause, strong bones, good hearing, a healthy libido, balanced sleep and an ability to hear the call to care for ourselves. . To nourish the Water element and the Kidneys: rest, set aside some time to allow yourself to be passive. Eat warm foods, keep your feet covered and keep the whole body warm. Take baths, find water to watch, listen to or swim in. Light candles and incense. Meditate. . To regulate the normal emotion of fear, we need to develop inner resources that we trust and build support networks for times when we need to reach out. If you suffer from panic attacks, anxiety or excess fear this could be a sign that your Kidneys are out of balance or running low on energy. . This time of year can feel long and lonely. But know that through finding some space and time to connect to your quiet voice of love and care, you will hear what it is you need to do to nourish the part of you that needs you most.

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Hello I’m Gemma and I can help you connect to your own quiet place of wisdom and peace through acupuncture, chinese medicine, yoga and meditation.

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