Moving into Winter
Element: Water
Yin Organ: Kidneys
Yang Organ: Urinary Bladder
Emotion: Fear
Spirit: Zhi (willpower)
Climate: Cold
Color: Black/Dark Blue
Taste: Salty
Sense Organs: Ears
Tissues: Bone, Marrow
Virtues: Strength, Courage, Wisdom
In preparation for winter, our focus turns to strengthening the water element’s organ system pair, the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, and practice that which we observe in nature: stillness, conservation, and storage.
In Chinese Medicine theory, the kidneys are the storehouse of our vital energy (our Qi), and our Jing, or Essence. Jing relates to our genetics and governs growth, reproduction, and how we move through the cycles of life. Our bones, joints, teeth, ears, brain, and marrow are influenced by the kidneys.
Winter is ruled by the water element: the most nourishing and essential substance for life. This element stores much of people’s reserves of energy. That’s why rest is crucial in the winter. This time of year, over-work and lack of sleep easily depletes the water element and the kidneys, especially (western medicine calls this adrenal fatigue).
Right now, we are in the best season to slow down and conserve our energy. The energy of winter is deep and potent. At rest, our bodies are still at work, on the inside- energy is collected and held in reserves.
“It is the concentrated, internal force of winter that enables a seed to burst forth in spring growth.”
The classic texts of Chinese Medicine urge us to follow the cycle of the seasons in order to stay healthy. The Huang Di Nei Jing ("The Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor"), contains some of the oldest teachings about winter and self-care:
“During the Winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rives freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the skin covered. Avoid sweating. The theory of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such practice the result will be injury to the Kidney energy. This will cause weakness, shrinking of muscles, and coldness; then the body loses its ability to open and move about in the Spring.”
#TCMwinter #KidneyChannelTCM