Summer Qi Chats | Week 1
Summer has begun!
The Yang season is officially here and it’s time to adapt our movement to the season!
We have entered the time of splendor and growth. The Yang Qi as the summer begins is eager and wild without the knowledge and discipline of Yin from the earth and Winter season. Yang can be reckless without the anchoring of Yin.
Yin creates form. This week, we gently moved through the new Summer movements with mindful of intention as was inspired during the Springtime. This mindfulness is to be persevered during this season of Yang. Just remember to be confident and clear your mind of excess to keep on track during the time of Fire.
Summer Monkey | Yang Qi
The Summer season hosts the element of Fire. With this natural Yang Qi, we can maintain our goals that we projected during the Springtime. It is not a time to sit ideally by, it is a time for movement. The Monkey is a clever animal and in Chinese folklore, the Monkey aspires and concurs often. Often, the Monkey does not know his limits and due to his trickster-like nature, he ends up in trouble and learns a lesson at the end of his tale.
Also, I had to share this beautiful image of my husband’s work. Not only is he a skilled Chinese Medicine practitioner but a talented artist!
Neuro-Qi Tip o’the day!
Brain-based Breathing to calm the Yang
Wrapping your hands around your navel, take a deep breath in through your nose. Count to 3 as you inhale. Feel your hands move outward as you inhale in a 360 degree expansion. Exhale forcefully with pursed lips as you count to 6. Feel your hand come back into your center.
Wrapping your hands around your ribcage, take a deep breath in. Count to 3 as you inhale. Feel your hand move outward as the ribs expand like an umbrella opening outward. Exhale fully with pursed lips as you count to 6. Feel your hand come back into your center as your ribcage moves in and down.
Wrapping your hand just under your armpits to your upper ribcage. Let’s go again! Take a deep breath in. Count to 3 as you inhale. Feel your hand move outward. Exhale fully with pursed lips as you count to 6. Really drive that air out with force. Feel your hand come back into your center as your ribcage moves in and down.
This is a GREAT brain exercise that is facilitated with breathing. A very interesting way to decrease sympathetic tone (excess yang), help with chronic pain as you enhance vagal activity and function!
