Being a part of nature and its rhythm

Directed By The Elements -
Being A Part Of Nature And Its Rhythm

By Hanne

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on understanding the connection to different things in our lives. Our health depends on the balance of mind, body, and soul and our relationship with the outside world. We are connected to everything; family, friends, and society as a whole. Nature and the physical world in which we live shape us. According to Chinese medicine, which is a holistic view of health, all illnesses and imbalances in body, mind, and soul result from our relationship to ourselves and the world in which we live. We are part of nature and its rhythm.

Directed by the Elements -
Being a part of Nature and its Rhythm

Five elements in Chinese medicine are related to the five seasons (the fifth season is late summer, which is viewed as a separate season from the summer). These elements are a road map encompassing both the natural (=external) world and our inner world, consisting of all these elements. However, we often have one element that is our most dominant element. Knowing our element will help us understand our tendencies and clearly see the imbalance. With this information, we have the keys to balance. The elements are metal, water, wood, fire, and earth.

Achieving Holistic Wellbeing

Characteristics of different elements:
Metal: disciplined, observant, intelligent, precise, structured.
Water: independent, inward-looking, strong-willed, adaptable, prosperous.
Wood: adventurous, confident, determined, competitive.
Fire: charismatic, passionate, energetic, dramatic.
Country: peacemaker, negotiator, caring, grounding.

Different elements can also lead us to embrace the principles of each season and understand the characteristics of our practice and life. When we live and work in harmony with our environment, our lives become more balanced; for example, in the spring, the earth literally blooms when nature comes to life. That’s a good time to think about what plans you want to implement? What are the things you want to flower and grow?

In Traditional Chinese medicine, it is possible to achieve holistic well-being when we understand the characteristics of the various organs in our body. It understands the physical nature of the body and looks at the energetic, emotional, and psychological tendencies of the body. Yin Yoga asanas create a gentle pressure on the body’s energies and the pathways of these energies. It helps us eliminate toxins, energy stagnation, and energy blocks in the body.

Asanas affect specific meridian pathways, and one asana can impact and change the function and balance of other energy pathways through the fascial system. (Fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider’s web or a sweater. Fascia is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery, and vein, as well as all of our internal organs, including the heart, lungs, brain, and spinal cord. It is one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption. Source: https://myofascialrelease.com › about › fascia-definition.aspx

Autumn Guides Us To Let Go

Nothing ever goes away
until it has taught us what we need to know.
• Pema Chödrön •

Autumn encourages us to consider what we are willing to let go of. On the mind’s level, we should ask ourselves, what should I give up during this period? The element of autumn is metal, and it gives us the ability for self-esteem and self-confidence. Feeling the level of fall is a time of grief and depression.

In traditional Chinese medicine, autumn is a time of letting go and preparing for winter. Energy flows like the leaves of trees towards the surface of the earth. It is time to rest and isolate yourself.

When the leaves fall from the trees, we are reminded that we cannot always be full of energy and that everything has its time, and letting go is part of the cycle of nature. The trees free themselves from the leaves and return to emptiness to begin a new cycle when spring arrives. Nature sets an example for us. It signals that we too should let go of the old and all that no longer serves us. The autumn rhythm directs us to turn inward, to let go of the idea that we should be profitable and always strive forward and thrive.

In Traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs receive vital energy (Qi) from the air, and the lungs are also related to our ability to absorb and how we filter things. After each inhalation, we exhale – we let go.

Withdraw with Winter

The energy of winter encourages us to ask ourselves how we pressure and act against ourselves. The element of winter is water, and it contains feelings of fear and courage. Stress management, monitoring energy levels, and achieving balance in life; balance the water element in us.

As the days get darker and shorter, like nature, we should turn inward to this Yin season, that is, winter. In Traditional Chinese medicine, winter is a time of rest, reflection, recovery, and storage.

Our kidneys balance our ability to work and rest. Depletion of energies, mental, physical, or emotional, drains our body’s energy stores, exhausting our vitality.

Spring Comes With A New Energy

When spring comes we need to ask ourselves in what things do we want to see ourselves thriving and growing? It’s time to sow the seed for the future, plan and set goals. The spring element is tree, and this time is marked by anger on an emotional level.

Soil quality is essential for plant growth. Our mind can be considered soil, and its health depends on how we feed it. When there is a clear goal and purpose, we can keep the weeds of constant confusion, doubt, frustration, and irritability out of the soil of our minds. In this way, we give the seeds of clarity, concentration, and perseverance to sprout. When we take careful care of our minds, the flowers of clarity, inspiration, and creativity flourish.

The tree’s energy reaches towards the heights, being stable, stable, and full of possibilities. Therein lies the germination of our desires. From the earthy yin energy of the winter, we are moving towards yang energy. Like nature, the energy of creation and action invites us to act after a long rest. Spring is a time for realizing visions and setting goals.

The Joy of Summer

As summer approaches, it’s time to think about how you express joy? The element of summer is fire, and on an emotional level, it is felt as joy and vitality. The fire within us allows us to show positive passion, energy, and happy life.

The transition from the freshness of spring to summer means a shift to great, bright, and full energy—our vitality bubbles on the surface as joy and openness. The fire is burning bright, and the seeds of our visions and plans are beginning to bear fruit.

We all can live a happy life, although sometimes we can feel the spark of life fading. In Traditional Chinese medicine, Shen, our innate spirit, is the source of all joy. The heart meridian is Shen’s home. And as we open up through this meridian, we can also increase the amount of bliss within us. Acceptance, self-love, harmony, and peace are all qualities of balanced heart energy.

Harvest Time

It is harvest time, and later summer encourages us to consider how many ways we are supported in our lives? The element of late summer is earth, and the emotions we can experience are anxiety and contentment.

From the fire of summer, we begin to descend toward the earth’s surface. The transition period is a time of harvest, abundance, and fullness. The plans for the spring have come true. It’s time to nurture and restore yourself.

Being A Part Of Nature

We humans represent one of the many species that are part of nature. All the elements are in motion around us, inside and outside. We are part of the constant change and the rhythm of nature. Nature raises to flourish and falls from it. It moves up and down, gathering energy and letting it go. This same energy flowing through nature also flows through us. And to maintain balance in our lives, we can act in harmony with nature.

Harris, Gabrielle: The Language of Yin
Harris, Gabrielle: The Inspired Yoga Teacher

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Hi, I'm Hanne

I am a yoga instructor and personal trainer dedicated to holistic wellbeing and natural living. On my blog, I share insights and practical tips to help you find balance and harmony in your life.