Deep Listening Is the Practice of the Winter

As winter settles in, the world grows quieter.

The light softens, the pace slows, and nature turns inward. In Chinese medicine, winter is the season of the Water element, governed by the Kidneys—the keepers of our deepest vitality, or Jing. This season invites us to conserve energy, rest more deeply, and practice listening—to our bodies, our breath, and our inner wisdom.

I think of one student who came to Meridian Yin and Qigong during the winter a few years back. She had been living with chronic joint pain and autoimmune challenges for years. Her body felt unpredictable and depleted, and she had learned to push through discomfort rather than listen to it.

Winter—and her body—were asking for something different.

In her early classes, she moved slowly and rested often. The qigong was gentle and grounding. The yoga was approached with curiosity instead of effort. Rather than trying to fix her body, she began to listen to it.

Slowly, her joints felt warmer and less rigid. Her breath deepened. Her nervous system softened. The pain didn’t disappear overnight, but it no longer felt like something to fight.

As her trust grew, so did her strength.

She began attending more strength-building classes: the Meridian Flow and Vitality Flow, discovering that strengthening the muscles around her joints brought relief and stability.

In Chinese medicine, the bones are part of the Water element, and winter is the most supportive time of year to build bone density. She even learned to 'welcome her sweat as her body’s applause'—a sign of circulation and release.

This is the invitation of winter.

When we listen deeply, move intentionally, and build strength without forcing, we protect our essence and support healing in a sustainable way.

Just two classes a week can help sustain strength, flexibility, and the calm, centered mind that yoga and qigong provide.

Hope to breathe with you soon.

From my heart to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie