Being Flexible with Spring's Arrival

Elemental Wisdom

As an acupuncturist, I rely on the seasons and their “elements” in my work.  In the Five Element style of acupuncture, Spring is the season of the Wood element.  What does this mean to you?  The Wood element corresponds to muscles and tendons of the body.  It allows for physical movement, energy pushing up and out in the body like the plants and flowers push out and up from the ground.   And it needs flexibility so the “push” is smooth and efficient.
 
It has been interesting to observe the shift from Winter to Spring this year.  In mid-March, nature was pushing right past Spring and all was in bloom.  Then everything took a step back to cold and windy days.  Even the birds took notice and quieted in the midst of bursting trees and flowers.  What has the bumpy transition to Spring felt like to you?  Maybe you were enjoying the summer-like days in March and then felt a slump back into the colder weather.  Or perhaps you didn’t feel ready for such intense temperatures.   How flexible have you been with the swings in nature?
 
Regardless, nature will continue to move through its cycle.  Some ways you can support your movement through the transition is to be flexible.  As you keep in the rhythm of the transition and take on springtime activities, incorporate simple stretching, yoga or qi gong in your days.  Take time to open up at the hip and shoulder joints, where the flow of energy can get stuck or blocked.   Wood must be easy and flexible to maintain its strength.  And as it is in nature, it is within us.
 
Karen Giles Acupuncture wishes you all the gifts and new possibilities that spring has to offer!

It's Spring (almost)! Time to Grow, Create, and Refresh!

This weekend we pushed our clocks forward and began to enjoy longer hours of daylight.  The weather has warmed and our thoughts are turning to the enjoyments of spring.  It's time to grow, create, and refresh.  Karen Giles Acupuncture offers the following suggestions to make the most of your spring!

"Spring Cleaning" often makes us think of cleansing.  Spring is a great time to cleanse and refresh body, mind, and environment.  Enjoy foods that cleanse the body such as lemons, spring onions, and greens. Cleanse your mind by letting go of baggage you have been holding onto and fill your mind with fresh goals you want to reach. Cleanse your environment by remove clutter and organizing.  Cleansing gives you the opportunity to begin anew.  Start a new project or a new routine.  Go someplace you have never been and maybe travel there in a manner you have never traveled.  Spark your creative energy and follow it where it leads.

Why not start a garden and grow some of the cleansing foods you want to eat?  A garden is the embodiment of growth, creation and refreshment and allows you to develop a connection with the earth.  Use the food you grow to create new dishes or the flowers you grow to create beautiful arrangements.  A garden offers endless opportunities for creation.

These suggestions just scratch the surface on ways to maximize the benefits of spring.  Let me know what suggestions you have!

Late Summer Corresponds With the Earth Element

Five Element style acupuncture is based on the laws of nature. Diagnosis and treatments are derived from the movement in nature’s cycles and seasons, which correlate with the flow of meridians and points in the body.

The elements are recognized as Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each element has its strength in a season of nature and is represented in the body by specific organ systems and functions, as well as a person’s vocal sound, facial color, emotion and scent. Just as all the seasons make up the whole of nature, all the elements make up the whole individual.

Earth: Corresponding to late summer, it represents the time to reap life’s harvest. The Earth element influences one’s ability to digest, process and store that which nourishes, along with the ability to nurture and care for self and others.

Healthy Earth energy allows for good appetite and digestion, clear thinking, strong muscles and blood vessels, feeling centered. Out of balance, Earth can present as excessive worry, digestive issues, bruising easily, lethargy, insatiable appetite.

Take time to nurture yourself so that you may nurture others. 

Welcome to Summer!

Today is the Summer Solstice which marks the beginning of summer.  Five Element style acupuncture is based upon the laws of nature and each element corresponds with a time of season.


Fire corresponds to summer. It represents partnership, joy, warmth and compassion. The Fire element influences one’s relationships, liveliness and passion for life and love.

Healthy Fire energy allows for good sleep, heart functions, compassion and steady body temperature. Out of balance, Fire can present as intimacy issues, difficulty sleeping, tummy gurgles, sadness, weakness of the heart, erratic swings in body temperature. 



Embrace the Fire Element and it's season in your own life by connecting with friends or a loved one.  Watch a sunset or raise of glass of "spirits!"  Let your heart laugh and dance...

Interested in learning more?  Please go to my website Karen Giles Acupuncture

Spring Elemental Wisdom

As an acupuncturist, I rely on the seasons and their “elements” in my work.  In the Five Element style of acupuncture, which I practice at Karen Giles Acupuncture, Spring is the season of the Wood element.  What does this mean to you?  The Wood element corresponds to muscles and tendons of the body.  It allows for physical movement, energy pushing up and out in the body like the plants and flowers push out and up from the ground.   And it needs flexibility so the “push” is smooth and efficient. 

Maybe this Spring has been challenging for you?  All the rising energy in nature and your body over the last month or two needs to be used.  Some things you can do to help support this energy in your body is to stretch and keep flexible.  Take time to open up at the hip and shoulder joints, where the flow of energy can get stuck or blocked.   

Be open (and flexible!) to practices like yoga or qi gong that support the transition in your body as you become more active outdoors with gardening and other physical activities.  The temptation may be to go with gusto as warm days arrive, but Wood must be easy and flexible to maintain its strength.  Pace yourself.  And notice what your body feels like as a result and how it affects your ability to do all there is this Spring.