Fall Season – Transitioning to New Winter Energy

On the Chinese calendar there are two special dates between mid-November and mid-December – November 22nd & December 7th.

November 22nd is that date when winter is really coming down and the energy is now being stored deep down in the solid roots in nature. This is the day the energy begins transitioning from fall to winter.

By December 7th the transition is complete and winter energy becomes dominant

When winter comes, the energy of the plants, which are so visible to us in spring and summer, has gone back to the roots, back into the earth.

The energy is being stored up now for the next spring to come. Just as the plants are storing and building up their energy during wintertime, we should do the same with our physical bodies.

This is the time to focus more on building your kidney energy. Your kidney energy is the source of your vitality and longevity. Protecting and strengthening your kidneys, your vitality energy, is so important this time of year. It will not only help keep you healthy and strong during winter but will also prepare your body for the more active times of spring and summer.

The first key is to focus on your back. This will help to keep your kidney energy from being depleted in winter.

There are many simple things you can do for your physical body now that will help you strengthen and protect your kidney energy and vitality.

Keep your back covered and warm whenever you go out in the cold. The bladder channel runs down the back and there are many energy points in the back connecting to the kidneys. If the back gets cold, then it can hurt not only the kidneys but the energy of the lungs and liver as well.

The ‘Moving of Yin & Yang’ SFQ 5 Element Movement is especially good to be practicing during this period of changing seasons. When you practice this movement, focus more on the lower dan tian, seeing a beautiful light shining there so brightly. If possible, it is best to do these movements standing with your knees bent a little, this helps to activate your kidney energy even more

Drink plenty of fluids, especially warm fluids, such as warm water or tea. In the Five Element theory, water is the element of winter.

If possible, don’t stay up too late during this transitioning period. If you can, go to bed a little earlier (9 or 10 o’clock). And if you can, get up a littler later, after the sun comes up. If that’s not possible that is okay too!

Here are several qigong and qi~ssge tips that can be very beneficial for your kidneys and vitality.

Stomach Qi~ssage for Vitality

Here is an important self-healing technique that is very good to do, to prepare your body for winter.

Simply interlock your fingers and massage your stomach around the navel area in a circular, clockwise movement.

Starting from your right side (liver) and moving across and down in a clockwise circle.

This exercise is a SFQ Fundamental and is part of ‘Harvesting of Qi’ exercises that are taught in SFQ Level One

This is also a very good exercise to do after you eat your Thanksgiving day meal or any Holiday Meal. It will help your digestion and strengthen the energy in your lower dan tian.

Cupping the Kidney Area

Cupping is also very helpful. You should cup the kidney area, of course. Cupping the back of the neck at the base of the head is also very beneficial, especially for older people and anyone who has high blood pressure or heart issues.

If you are not familiar with cupping, it is very easy. You simply form your hand into a cup shape and cup or pat the area. Start out cupping gently and then cup more firmly as it feels good to you. You don’t need to do it hard.

Qi~ ssaging your Feet

Massaging your feet and back are very good for your kidney energy. You can massage the entire foot. That is very helpful but please be sure to focus on the Bubbling Spring point on the bottom of your foot and the arch. These areas are the most beneficial to massage.

When you massage your feet always start with the left foot then do the right foot. Starting with the left helps you relax and sends a message to your brain to start releasing the body’s natural feel good hormone.

The other important thing to remember when massaging your feet or any part of the body is to first call upon your master’s (someone that you have great respect for) energy, focus on your heart and see that love energy flowing through your hands into the area you are massaging. This makes your massage so much more powerful. Remember, love is the most powerful form of healing energy.