"Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light, and that makes them beautiful." -Jim Carrey
In the Chinese medical qigong system, Springtime is associated with the Wood Element, when the sap in nature starts to rise up from the roots into the trunk and branches of the trees. The first smells and sounds of spring suggest that we are about to emerge out of the darkness. What has laid hidden and dormant beneath the surface is now waking up. The long dark days are replaced with crisp dewy mornings that illuminate the landscape. We are filled with anticipation of the warmth, sunshine, and newness of life. The very air we breathe is fresh with new oxygen and vital life force energy from the young shoots and leaves that are starting to grow. Now, the seeds, bulbs, and roots we've planted in our life garden this past autumn and winter are beginning to emerge.
As the energy rises, it inspires us to clear space for our new life, detox our bodies and clean our homes. We want to come into alignment with this generous, life-affirming moment. The spring energy has momentum and is seen as forceful, determined to rise up and move forwards, yet we will remain supple and flexible as trees can bend in the wind with stable deep roots. It's time to take inventory and see what is blooming for you now? What is in season in your life? What are you aligning with? Growing toward? Who are you becoming?
According to the Five Element Theory, each season focuses on maintaining our internal organs' health and vitality. The Liver and Gallbladder are the primary organs of focus in springtime. They are yin/yang paired organs. Each of these organs holds color, sound, vibration, and emotion.
The liver meridian is responsible for the free flow of energy throughout the entire body. And it is the meridian most affected and negatively impacted by stress and emotions, causing irritations and imbalance throughout the body, even poor eyesight. The liver is said to open to the eyes, and you can see how the meridian ends at the eyes, making it the primary meridian for healthy sight, including inner vision, intuition, creativity, the ability to see new ways of solving problems, and the courage to achieve and manifest our goals.
Liver Meridian
Gallbladder Meridian
The positive emotions associated with the wood element are all about growth and feelings of creativity, imagination, abundance, generosity, and kindness. In our lives, we (sometimes 😉) get so angry and frustrated at life that it can feel stuck or blocked, and like we need to save ourselves and grasp onto what is OURS. It is tough to feel generous and giving when we are stuck in the muddy mess of life, grasping, angry and frustrated. Through the practice of Qigong, we transform our stuckness into creating clarity and flow. We transform anger that has gotten out of control and learn to skillfully and creatively wield it to rise up and fight the injustices of life and create positive change in our lives and the lives of others. Then we feel generous and kind again.
It's always the right time to practice Qigong, yet if you follow the seasons as we do, it is recommended to slowly begin your Spring Qigong practice in late winter (February). Gradually incorporate more and more as the momentum grows. The energy becomes more powerful, especially during the spring equinox, the official first day of spring on March 21st. At this point, transition to fully practicing the spring set and continue through March, April, and into May. In May, slowly start to incorporate the Summer fire set into your daily practice.
Here at Path with Harmony, over the next several weeks, we will learn from the Tree of Life, the Swimming Dragon, and the beautiful Tiger form to nourish our Liver and connect with the wood element. These aspects of Qigong connect us to our Liver's medicine and teach us to grow, search, see, and powerfully claim our lives. So we can live more fully with clarity and purpose.
Would you like to start your day clear, energized, and with a light, joyful heart? Click here to get the 13 Minute Morning Qigong Practice for FREE!⬇️⬇️⬇️
Enjoy your practice this spring. May your roots run deep, your branches be wide, and your canopy lift to the heavens as you stand between earth and sky!
Hugs and deep bows of gratitude to you and your practice.
Maria
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