This Is The Best Time of Year to Build Strength
The late summer 'earth-element season' has arrived, and with it, the sweet grounding energy that's so easy-going and pleasant.
This is the only season of year when yin and yang energies are balanced, which makes it so relaxed, as balanced energy brings us into homeostasis.
According to Chinese Medicine's 5 elements, our energy (chi) is the most subtle, yet profound part of our being. The energy flow is like our electricity, when excessive we burn out, when weak our energy flickers and exhausts easily. Our energetic flow determines our emotional well-being as well as our physical health.
Each season's energy affects a different pair of organs, emotions, bodily tissue, sense organ, and consciousness (or spirit).
This is important to know, as it makes it the easiest and most efficient time to repair any energetic imbalances and bring them back into balance. We can do this with our yoga and chi gong practices, as we stretch and pressurize the meridians, which are the energy pathways to the organs, to create a harmonious flow of chi.
We saw in the spring the wood-element season, the sprouting yang energy rising from the deep yin energy of winter. This energy corresponds to our liver and gallbladder energy (chi).
When this chi flow is balanced we feel inspired with a sense of purpose and drive.
When out of balance we suffer from anger and frustration.
The early summer fire-element season is the peak of yang energy, as we saw the full blooming, the summer solstice being the lightest and brightest time of year. The fire energy has the greatest effect on our heart and small intestine.
When balanced we're peaceful, joyful and embody a grateful heart.
When out of balance we suffer from anxiety, stress, loneliness, and feeling disconnected.
The late summer earth-element time is when yin and yang are balanced, creating a contented, relaxed energy. This energy relates to our stomach and spleen.
When balanced we feel stable, strong, confident, grounded, trusting and trustworthy.
When out of balance we are plagued with doubt, worry, pensiveness, self-absorption, and a feeling of 'stuck in the mud'.
In the autumn metal-element time we will see the leaves fall from the trees, when the yang energy is dropping and turning into yin. This is the time when the lungs and large intestine energy are running the strongest.
When lung chi is balanced we are emotionally resilient, maintain strong discipline, are accountable and responsible, courageous, and have solid integrity.
When the lungs and large intestine chi are imbalanced we suffer from heavy grief and sadness that we can't let go of.
And in the winter water-element season is the yin of yin time, when the energy travels inward and downward, into the deep stillness of transformation. This energy affects our kidney and bladder chi.
When the kidneys have a balanced flow of chi, we have strong will power and endurance (to get us through the cold, dark winter).
When weak or out of balance we are subject to fear and insecurity.
During this late summer earth-element time, we will be strengthening the large muscle groups in the legs and abdomen, as they are the bodily tissue that is in energetic high tide, making it the best and easiest time to build strength.
Strength building is so important as we age. When we strengthen the muscles that support the joints, it relieves joint pain.
Studies have shown a correlation between stronger leg muscles and better cognitive function and healthier brain structures. This may be due to:
Improved blood circulation: Stronger muscles enhance blood flow, providing the brain with vital oxygen and nutrients.
Stimulation of growth factors: Regular physical activity, including leg exercises, triggers the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for neuron health, growth, and adaptability.
Prevention of brain shrinkage: Studies have shown that stronger leg muscles are associated with larger grey matter volumes and smaller brain ventricles, indicating healthier brain aging.
What's interesting about this is that the consciousness of the earth-element season is called Yi, which means acquired knowledge, referring to our intellect. So when we're building our large muscle mass, we are strengthening our brains. This is the time of year that is the easiest to learn new things, since our intellect is running strong. No coincidence that school starts in the late summer.
From my heart to yours~
Namaste,
Maggie