Protecting Yang
Master Chunyi Lin
The positioning of yin and yang energies is always flowing with one growing stronger as the other weakens. The changes in the varying strength of these two key types of energy affects the balance and harmony of our own energy. The better we adjust to these ongoing changes the stronger our own energy will be.
In December, yin energy is very strong and builds to its strongest this year on December 22nd. Yang energy has been growing weaker for months and is at its weakest on the 22nd and then starts building strength again.
During this month protecting your yang energy is so very important. As this relates to your physical body the key areas to protect are the top of the head, C7 in the neck, and the feet.
The top of the head is the center of yang energy called Baihui. The Baihui is translated as ‘the meeting of the hundreds.’ It is the point where all the yang energy channels in the body gather together. It is a very powerful point.
Lots of vitality heat comes out from the top of the head. In the wintertime it comes out even more especially when you are outside. When the yang energy at the top of the head is weak and unprotected, the cold can then invade the body easier. This can cause colds, headaches and even long-lasting headaches. Keeping the top of the head protected and warm can easily prevent this so it is best to wear a cap or hat whenever you are outside in winter.
The C7 vertebra in the neck is the intersection between the headquarters and the rest of the body. It is a very important energy transition point. During the winter we are indoors so much more and not moving around outside as we do in spring and summer and even fall. As a result we are not getting as much exercise so when we go outside this area is weak and vulnerable. Lots of people catch colds in winter because of this. Keeping the C7 area protected and warm when we do go out can prevent this.
The kidney system shares the energy of winter and water is its element. Kidney energy is on duty now and at its strongest so we need to protect it so it can do its best work.
Water and kidney energy are both associated with the bottom of the feet. So if you get cold feet that hurts the kidney energy and you are more likely to get sick. Also, when springtime comes you won’t have enough energy to grow and get the most of spring activities. Keeping your feet warm and protected is most important in winter.
Keeping your feet, neck and head warm in winter, especially when you go outside, are simple things that pay big dividends. Simple exercises you can do to strengthen and protect these areas are cupping the top of the head, massaging the bottom of the feet, massaging the C7, and the dolphin the neck exercise. You can do these as often as you like. Try to do them once or twice a day. Dolphin the neck is one of the ‘Harvesting of Qi’ exercises in Level One. Here’s how to do it if you’re not familiar with it. Please do it slowly and gently.
You dolphin the neck by moving the head slightly forward and up, then down and back. This is the same as drawing a vertical circle. Do this eight times.
Strengthening your legs and knees is very beneficial in winter. There are many ways you can do this. When you do your qigong active exercises bend your knees a little. Bend them as deeply as you feel comfortable doing. Bending your knees can really help to strengthen your knees and legs, strengthen your vitality and your digestive system.
Normal walking is good. Bouncing as we do in our classes and meetings is good. Just kicking your feet is also good.
It’s easy. Simply stand there and kick one foot out and then the other. You don’t have to kick hard. Do it as many times as you feel comfortable. This helps to strengthen weak knees and get energy flowing for liver and kidney energy and helps to detoxify. Let the sun shine on your back for 10 or 20 minutes a day, if possible. That is very helpful. You don’t have to be outside to do this. You can stand in front of a window with the sun shining through. The energy you need from the sun will pass right through and into you.
Also, if possible, in the late morning or afternoon stay outside for 10 minutes or so and get some fresh air, bouncing or walking around. Be sure to stay warm when you do this but if you can get into the fresh air some everyday, or as often as you can, that is very beneficial.
Some other simple things that are very beneficial are massaging the middle of the palm, massaging the lower back and tapping the tailbone.
Cupping the L5 area of the back but a couple of inches to the side on both sides is very beneficial. In this area there are energy points connecting with the kidneys.
Cupping those areas, as well as the sacrum and tailbone, massaging the palm and bubbling spring point on the bottom of the feet can all help prevent lower back problems, which are usually associated with weak kidney energy. This is a great time to heal or prevent problems in those areas.
Sleeping
Getting enough good, quality sleep is so important for your kidney energy and vitality. Go to bed early if you can, by 10 o’clock and get up a little later. Sleeping is even more important in winter so you have more energy for spring. In winter if you don’t sleep well, as you get older you will age more quickly. Try to get at least 8 hours a night.
We wrote about the importance of sleeping in winter last month and it’s worth re-emphasizing.
Your sleeping environment is very important. Limit all light sources and any noises as much as possible when you sleep. Noises and too much light can affect the quality of your sleep. As a result you can wake-up feeling exhausted and anxious instead of well rested and ready to embrace the new day.
Sleeping posture is also important. Sleeping on your stomach is not helpful. You should sleep on your back or your side. In the wintertime, sleep on your right side if you can. This is the most beneficial sleeping posture during winter.
Finally, in the morning when you wake, don’t jump out of bed immediately. Stay in bed for a minute or two with your eyes open.
Maybe do a little exercising in bed. Stretching your body is good. Or try lying on your back, raising your legs and move them like you are riding a bicycle for thirty seconds or so.
Then, sit up slowly and hang your feet over the side of the bed for a minute or so before you put your feet on the floor and get your day going. This is especially beneficial for anyone who has high blood pressure. It’s a great way for anyone to gather their energy. It helps you start your day with your energy balanced and flowing.
For your skin in winter, cupping the arms and body is very helpful. Every day at breakfast have a teaspoon of olive oil. You can put it in your food or anything. Then also have a teaspoon of vinegar during the day. Again, you can put it in your food or anything.
Another thing that is always beneficial, as often as you can, take long, slow, gentle deep breaths with a smile on your face. This will always warm you throughout your body from the inside out.
