As we shift from winter into spring, our meditations from the winter stillness reveal the sprouts of inspiration that want to come forth. One of the best tools to still the mind in meditation is the ancient qigong practice of YI Qi Li, guiding energy with consciousness. The meridian pathways, which are the energy channels of the organs, give us a simple map to guide our Qi (energy).

When we observe how the natural world’s energy resides in us currently, we might find a seed of inspiration that wants to grow. The seeds deep in the ground that have been dormant for the past few months during the winter stillness are starting to wriggle and sprout. They may not be visible to the naked eye yet, but there’s an inkling that something is emerging.

Now that we are in the second half of winter, passing the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox known as Imbolc, on February 2, we can feel a subtle shift of energy. It’s when the deep winter thaw starts to happen. This time is also known as a “quickening”, being the action of bringing someone or something to life. It’s exciting, even as the winter resides here in the northeast for a couple more months, we are on the other side of the cold dark days.

According to Chinese medicine, balancing fire and water energy, or chi (Qi), is the root of health, which is achieved when our energy is running smoothly and efficiently. Balancing our yin and yang energy creates homeostasis, where healing can occur on an energetic level, which often brings the emotional and physical issues back into balance.

For many of us, the winter is when our chronic joint pain increases. We sit a lot in the winter, which makes our muscles atrophy and become too weak to support our joints. If we don’t strengthen the muscles around the joints, the weight of the bones and extra body weight is too much to be supported by weak muscles and therefore creates pain.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, we focus on different parts of the body throughout the year. We work with the energy of the season that corresponds to the energies in the body. Certain parts of the body are prone to the development of disease in different seasons. The most successful way to stay healthy and in balance is to coexist in our environment.

To embody the season of winter, rather than resisting it, we honor stillness. It’s necessary. Author and life coach Martha Beck’s mantra is, ‘My name is Stillness’. Try it, repeat that out loud or quietly and see how it lands.

Many qigong movements circulate in an infinity pattern. In Chinese medicine, it’s said our healthy energy circulates in this pattern both internally and externally. The infinity symbol is known to create a strong energy field around us. Qigong is the movement practice of Chinese medicine which recognizes that our energy mirrors the cosmos.

Tis the season to work with the energies of the kidneys and the bladder, as their energy is running the strongest in the winter. The focus in the Meridian Flow practice is to stimulate the meridians of the kidney and bladder to achieve an even flow of energy.

Did you know that our facial expressions can actually open and quiet our minds? This helps us during meditation and anytime we need to shift our mindset. Meditation is a practice we cultivate all year long, but primarily in the winter when the natural world is becoming quiet and still. To start meditation we purposely shift how we breathe, transitioning from involuntary breathing to a conscious long slow breath. Then we add the inner smile.

The Meridian Flow combines a powerful combination of yoga and medical qigong, which is part of Chinese medicine's 5 elemental paradigm. According to traditional Chinese medicine, each season’s energy (or chi) feeds the next season. Now we are transitioning from autumn into winter. The element of autumn is metal, and it feeds the element of winter, which is water.

As the cold weather approaches we need to address our energy reserves. In the Meridian Flow, we combine yoga and Chinese medicine, which both agree that our energy, known as Chi, is the most subtle, yet profound part of our being. Our energy, Chi, is received through the lungs and stored in the kidneys. The lungs are energetically running the strongest in the autumn, the kidneys are running strongest in the winter. Each season energetically feeds the next season. So the lungs are energetically the mother to the kidneys.

What are you grateful for? Just pause for a moment, close your eyes, bring your hands to your heart and consider what’s working well in your life. We spend so much time focusing on what’s wrong, rather than what’s right in our abundant lives. As author John Kabat-Zinn reminds us, “There is so much more right in our lives than there is wrong." Focusing on what we appreciate uplifts our spirits and brightens the mind. Especially the things that we take for granted - because without them our lives would be turned upside down.

When I sit to meditate one of the best spine openers is a qigong set called Crane and Tortoise. It’s arching and rounding of the spine with the breath, and a side-to-side spinal bend that releases the tension held in the sides of the spine which often carries a lot of stress. This relieves the tension held in the front, back, and sides of the spine so then I can sit with stillness and ease.

In the autumn sadness and grief can weigh heavy on our chests. In Chinese medicine, the emotion of grief resides in our lungs. The lungs and large intestine are energetically running the strongest in the autumn and their main function is to let go. The emotions of sadness and grief are part of the seasonal energy in the fall.

When we regulate our breathe We regulate our emotions. When our mind is stuck in negative patterns our breath is often being held or it's very shallow and there's no awareness of it. This is when we have repressed emotions of resentment, guilt, fear, or loss of control.

As the natural world is turning inward, releasing leaves from the trees, and plants returning to the earth, there is a palpable feeling that nature, which we are part of, is letting go and grieving.

For most of us, being still and clearing the mind is nearly impossible. We quit trying to meditate, thinking we're no good at it because our thoughts get in the way. Welcome to the human condition!

Each season the energy of the natural world corresponds to the frequency and vibration of different organs and emotions, according to traditional Chinese medicine and what we focus on in the Meridian Flow. We can use this to our advantage by strengthening the virtue that's easiest to access in the specific season.

Anxiety, depression, and auto-immune issues are rising, especially as the days get darker and the holidays closer. The constant overstimulation of social media and technology is exhausting and creates an anxious mindset.