Hear What Feels Right

  • ▽ 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.
  • The light is gently returning to our horizon and as it does so, allow yourself to rise with it. Slowly ∘ In the cycle of Yin and Yang, Winter is full Yin: stillness, pause, quiet, darkness, cold and rest. Resisting this natural time of restoration, risks bringing imbalance to our bodies, depleting the energy we need to move in rhythm with the energy of spring ∘ The light returning represents the gradual building of Yang energy; but this takes steady and gentle time. We have an opportunity to learn from this cycle ∘ There is no rush ∘ note: this is the third consecutive year we’ve had illness in our house in January and period of enforced stillness and rest has been vital for me and my little one. On reflection, I need to listen to this message and alter my working rhythms next January.
  • In winter, the urge to hibernate is strong, and while we must contain our energy, reserving our Qi for the return of the sun in spring, connecting with other humans in winter restores and nourishes our spirit. : Trees need each other to survive, and so do we. : There is much we can learn from nature ∘
  • The Chinese character for Winter represents a thread that is tied, with loose ends but overall, finished. At the bottom of the character, there is the symbol which represents water, crystallising into ice. Together, these symbols represent the end of the cycle of seasons, cold and stillness. . Just as life slows at this time of year, so should we. If we rest and slow down our activity, we will replenish and retain our Qi (life force), helping us to rise up when the time of natural Yang rising (spring) comes. . We do this through taking things slowly, physically and mentally. Sleeping as much as possible but spending as much time outside as as we can to support our natural circadian rhythms and immune system. . This is not a time for change, for newness or pushing forward; that comes in the spring. Just like nature, this is a time for planning, dreaming and nurturing a sense of self compassion. . Go easy.
  • In the Northern Hemisphere, today is the solstice, Yule, mid winter. In Chinese Medicine and the theory of Yin and Yang, this is the time of full Yin: where dark is dominant over light (Yang). . Until the morning of the 23rd, the earth takes a pause, like the moment between breaths, before she tilts on her axis and begins to lift upwards, towards the sun. . Traditionally, although this is a time of gathering with friends, feasting and welcoming the light, it’s also a time for rest and reflection; to acknowledge what we have learnt this year and what we would like to receive in the coming year. . We also have a full moon tomorrow night (a Yin symbol), so this is an extra special time to observe the stillness around and within you, however that may look or feel for you; perhaps simply notice your heart lifting towards the sun as you take a breath in… . The rhythm and flow of the seasons is a beautiful reminder of the constant change within everything - darkness and light, heat and cold, rest and movement - but to connect with this energy, we must listen. And to do that, we must be still, if only for a moment.
  • Has anyone read The Secret Life of Trees? Yesterday, @bbcradio4 had a wonderful interview with the author Peter Wollhenen who shared the science behind how trees have a vibrant inner life and also individual personalities. . I’m now thinking I’ll never forage/prune a tree again; they emit pain relief chemicals if we cut or rip off a branch, but if a deer takes a bite, a nasty tasting chemical is released instead. They talk underground via a complicated fungi network, warning other trees if they are being attached by a certain type of beetle; they have a memory and conserve water depending upon the season they have experienced; they can hear - and can differentiate between the sound of real water and the sound of water being played via mp3; they emit gas which we can smell and walking amongst them helps lower our blood pressure. If another tree is ill, a ‘mother’ tree steps in and sends important nutrients to help it recover. Most importantly, they need other trees, and current research is exploring the real possibility that they have brains. . I love the idea that this work is contributing to the realisation that us humans are not the most superior beings of everything. . This pic was taken when I visited @fforest a few weekends ago; a place full of the magic energy of trees.
  • Even though meteorologically we’re in winter in the UK, the woods aren’t ready to give up the gold. We are still in autumn until the solstice on December 21st. . In Chinese Medicine, each season is linked to a different organ in the body, emotion, colour, sound, smell and taste. . Autumn is the Lung, and the emotion is grief, and I want to remind you all that it is completely normal at this time of year to feel a heightened sense of grief, sadness, loss or mourning. . Many of my patients and friends (me included) are talking about feeling these emotions, to a great extent at the moment. . Sometimes when we move into deeper, colder temperatures quite quickly, our bodies take time to adjust. Climate adaptability is a term which describes how well our bodies adapt to this change. Our genes actually alter in response to different weather, and the more time we spend outside, the easier our bodies move into into the changing seasons. So one way to help ourselves, is to make sure we spend enough time outside each day. . Research has also shown that during times of low self esteem, self compassion can be the best tonic. If you can create a habit of self compassion, this will kick in when you’re feeling low and help you hear what it is you need to do, to take care of yourself in the most loving way. . Remember: everything changes. Be compassionate towards yourself and listen to what it is that you need.
  • Trust and patience. Two words that have featured strongly for me so far this year; this year of new beginnings and necessary endings. . Every time I feel the physical and mental contraction (that we all experience) during these phases or moments, I now know that expansion will soon follow. . Sun, moon, the seasons, the sky, the ocean, the tide, they all remind us of the constant rhythm and flow of change. Our bodies are aligned with this, but somewhere inside is a steadiness; something so still that if we connect to it we are reminded of the truth. . Sometimes I want to rush: to create, to feel, to expand, to grow, to succeed, but the patience that I’m exploring at the moment is saying ‘not forward, not backwards, but now’ and I’m staying with this as much as possible, because it’s a really beautiful place to be.

About Me

Through my work, my intention is to help you feel a sense of peace, clarity and connection to your body; to the natural rhythm of life.

I hope to encourage you to slow down and listen to your heart, which is always there, quietly guiding you through life.

 

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