Yin Yoga for spring
SPRING PRACTICES TO BALANCE THE LIVER AND GALLBLADDER
As we transition into spring, it's natural to seek renewal and embrace new beginnings. A wonderful way to embark on this journey is through yoga and cleansing practises.
In Chinese philosophy, everything in life is seen as a manifestation of the Dao. The Dao represents the infinite and existed even before the Big Bang brought us into being. Before creation, the Dao divided into two opposing yet complementary forces: yin and yang. From this duality, the five elements emerged.
According to the Chinese five-element theory, our bodies consist of the same elements present in nature: wood, fire, metal, earth, and water. Each element corresponds to different organs, seasons, and times of the day.
THE WOOD ELEMENT AND SPRING
During spring, the wood element is at play, marking the transition from Yin (winter) to Yang (summer). The liver and gallbladder are the organs associated with the wood element. They drive us into action, allowing us to adapt to change, and they also govern our ligaments and tendons.
The liver acts as the planner, while the gallbladder makes decisive decisions to execute those plans. For instance, if you feel hungry at lunchtime and plan to go to the shop for a sandwich, the liver is involved in the planning process, and the gallbladder makes the decision regarding which sandwich to choose. However, if you find yourself indecisive and leave the shop without a sandwich despite still being hungry, your wood element may be out of balance and require restoration. This indecisiveness might even extend to other areas of your life, but the example serves to illustrate the point.
THE LIVER MERIDIAN
Regulates the flow of Qi, also known as the "General of the Army," planning and strategizing the energy flow within us.
Maintains the health of ligaments and tendons, promoting flexibility and movement.
Stores, cleans, and distributes blood.
Houses the Hun, or ethereal soul, which departs from the body upon death and transitions to the next life.
THE GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN
Stores and secretes bile to aid in fat digestion. It is known as the "upright official" and acts as the decision-maker.
Influences decisive mental states, giving rise to the expression "a lot of gall."
In Traditional Chinese Medicine's Five Element Theory, the gallbladder belongs to the Wood element and is associated with the emotions of anger and resentment, which can manifest as frustration, irritability, bitterness, and being quick-tempered.
DO YOU FEEL OUT OF BALANCE?
Spring is an ideal time for detoxification and cleansing because imbalances in blood sugar (spleen meridian) from winter indulgence, elevated stress levels (particularly in the past two years), which impact the triple warmer, and hormonal imbalances can put pressure on the digestive system. The gallbladder plays a vital role in digestion, so you may experience bloating, digestive issues, and mental fog. Do any of the following apply to your current situation? If yes, it's likely that some stagnancy from winter remains, and you could benefit from a cleanse to rebalance your wood element.
If you are...
Feeling bloated and experiencing gas.
Feeling angry or irritable.
Lacking motivation.
Overwhelmed.
Experiencing anxiety or stress.
Having sore joints.
Feeling indecisive and hesitating to make decisions, leading to frustration, headaches, or migraines.
RESTORE BALANCE with this gentle yin yoga tune-up video, where we focus on these two meridians. The practise offers a simple and nurturing way to gently stimulate the energy pathways in the body and restore balance.
In addition to yoga, there are other practises that can support your well-being in the spring. One such practise is an Ayurvedic cleanse, which I personally undertake every April. This cleanse involves consuming simple foods and eliminating processed foods and drinks like coffee and tea. During this time, I rely on nourishing recipes such as tridoshic tea and kitchari with fresh vegetables.
In the morning, I prepare a large pot of tridoshic tea that I sip throughout the day. For breakfast, I enjoy a simple porridge made with filtered water, a touch of honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. As for lunch and dinner, I opt for a bowl of kitchari. If you're interested, you can find the recipes for these on my website.
We all know that digestion plays a crucial role in our overall health, both physically and emotionally. Therefore, taking the time to nourish our bodies is essential for living abundantly and happily. These are just a few recommendations to help you balance your body during the spring season before we fully transition into summer.
Furthermore, in our upcoming sessions, we will delve deeper into yin poses specifically tailored for the spring season. These poses will aid in restoring balance to your body and supporting liver detoxification. After the session, we'll have a pot of tridoshic tea and indulge in a healthy Ayurvedic apple cake. To book your spot, simply visit the booking page on my website and look for the class scheduled for April 24th.
Next week, we will explore the chakra system and its relationship to the spring season. Be sure to check back on Thursdays for new posts, as I'll be sharing simple practises to help you maintain balance, sanity, and vitality.
Much love and happy practicing. Hope to see you in class very soon.
Gem xox
Gem xxx
