Do You Know What Complaining and Blaming Indicate?
I noticed a subtle, yet profound shift in a student I've had for years, whom I'll call Hannah - one who I'd describe as having imbalanced Earth Qi (energy).
She was the kind of student who always arrived early, yoga mat in hand, eyes scanning the room. She rarely missed a class. She is a dedicated student, but energetically, something always felt heavy around her, like her presence carried more weight than it needed to.
Before class began, she often lingered at the front desk, sharing her day in detail:
"Work was a disaster today. Honestly, I'm always the one picking up the slack, and no one ever notices."
This was her pattern: blaming others, feeling overlooked, and expressing a kind of emotional hunger. She'd scan the room during class and afterwards ask questions like, "Why is this so easy for everyone else? Am I doing this wrong?"
Physically, she moves with caution, slightly hunched over with sluggish limbs. Despite her consistency, she often expressed dissatisfaction after class. She would frequently complain, "I just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. Maybe yoga isn't working for me anymore."
According to Chinese medicine, we are currently in the earth season during the second half of summer, so these tendencies often arise this time of year.
Observing Through the Lens of Earth Element Imbalance
In Chinese medicine, Earth governs the Spleen and Stomach and is associated with digestion, nourishment, and emotional stability. When Earth Qi is imbalanced, we see:
Ruminating thoughts – spinning mentally, especially about relationships or responsibilities.
Blame and complaining – projecting inner discomfort outward.
Self-absorption – becoming overly focused on one’s own perceived deficits or struggles.
Energetic heaviness – both physical and emotional stagnation.
Hannah’s symptoms—chronic worry, digestive upset, emotional venting, and a sense of never feeling “full” from her yoga—reflected classic signs of Earth disharmony.
As a teacher, it’s important to recognize that these expressions aren’t personality flaws. They’re signs that someone may be depleted, ungrounded, and longing to feel supported.
Rather than correcting Hannah or offering quick advice, I began to hold space with quiet steadiness. We had a private session, and here are some things that seemed to help:
I gently encouraged restorative postures and belly-breathing after qigong and several standing poses.
I introduced themes of support, nourishment, and inner strength and stability
And I suggested small rituals: putting a warm hand on her belly, taking mindful sips of tea, expressing gratitude, and walking slowly after class.
One day, Hannah stayed in Savasana without fidgeting. After class, she said quietly:
“I didn’t try so hard today. It actually felt…like enough.”
That moment marked a shift—not because her alignment improved, but because her Earth energy began to stabilize.
She no longer complains as much and exudes a quiet contentment.
Contentment is the virtue of balanced Earth Qi.
If you or someone you know is suffering from over-rumination, complaining, and blaming, understand that these are tendencies that can be brought back into balance with less pushing and more support and nourishment.
From my heart to yours~
Namaste,
Maggie