Spring Health Maintenance: Nurturing Yang Qi for Vitality and Well-being

Spring Health Maintenance: Nurturing Yang Qi for Vitality and Well-being

How to Maintain Health in Spring? The Taoist master said, "Let us nurture the growth of Yang Qi."

The "Tao Te Ching" states, "Man follows the earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature." This means that the laws of nature are the ultimate rules, and since humans are products of nature, we must follow these natural laws to achieve health and longevity. Disregarding these laws leads to illness.

In winter, all things are sealed, and the Yang Qi (energy) in the human body is also stored deep in the body (lower Jiao, Dantian), so the principle of health maintenance in winter is to help Yang Qi converge and protect it from dispersing and loss. (see 8 Habits to Protect Your Yang Energy)

In spring, the temperature gradually rises, and the Yang Qi in the human body grows upward from deep in the body with the ascending function of the liver and gallbladder.Thus, the principle of health maintenance in spring is to assist the upward growth of Yang Qi and prevent it from being suppressed or blocked.

So how should we help Yang Qi grow in spring?

Daily routine: sleep before 10 pm and get up at 5 am. Sleeping in will suppress the growth of Yang Qi and make us feel listless all day long.

Diet: Eat less sour food and more sweet food. Sour food (fruits) often has the effect of astringing energy, which will suppress the growth of Yang Qi. Sweet foods (such as dates, honey, and goji berries) benefit the spleen and can enhance its function. People with weak body and fear of cold can eat some spicy food to help Yang Qi grow. In addition, you can eat more bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, leeks and other foods with upward growth energy.

Aspirations and Goals: Good aspirations and goals can help us generate Yang Qi and promote health. According to the "Huangdi Neijing," during the beginning of spring, we should rise early in the morning, dress loosely, let our hair down, and stroll in the courtyard, carefully planning our goals for the year to foster ambitious aspirations.

Emotional Care: In spring, avoid excessive anger, depression, and killing, as they will damage Yang Qi. Do more good deeds and be happy and joyful, which can generate Yang Qi and make Yang Qi flow.

Practice:

  • Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy sweating in spring, because they will consume a lot of Yang Qi. In addition, heavy sweating will open the pores, causing cold air to enter the body, thereby suppressing the growth of Yang Qi. The best practice state is that the body is warm, relaxed, comfortable and sweatless or slightly sweaty. It is recommended to practice 56mins Full Body Practice. It awakens the internal organs and joint functions through gentle and slow full-body stretching, dredges the meridians of the whole body, and promotes the growth of Yang Qi.
  • Spring is the season to nourish the liver. The liver, associated with wood, is the driving force for Yang Qi growth in spring. If the liver is good, the whole spring will be healthy and disease-free. The key to liver care is clearing negative emotions and unblocking the liver meridians. Depression and unhappiness will suppress Yang Qi growth and hinder the flow of qi and blood. The liver meridians are important channels for the flow of Yang Qi, It provides energy for the heart meridian. If the liver is well maintained in spring, the heart will be healthy in summer. Liver course is recommended to clear negative emotions and unblock the liver meridians.
  • The gallbladder, associated with Shaoyang, is part of the liver system and helps the liver in dispersing Yang Qi and detoxifying. Therefore, it is recommended to tap the gallbladder meridian for 5 minutes daily.
  • Governor Vessel Practice: The Governor Vessel is the main channel of Yang Qi in the body. The health and nourishment of the brain depend on the Yang Qi supplied by the Governor Vessel. Unblocking the Governor Vessel can prevent headaches, dizziness, and strokes in spring. Recommended practice: Roll your backs.
  • Avoid practicing too early in spring to prevent cold from entering the body. It is best to practice outdoors after the sun has risen. Limit daily practice to 1-2 hours to avoid excessive energy consumption.

Nourish the liver in spring, the heart in summer, the lungs in autumn, and the kidneys in winter. The spleen should be nourished throughout all seasons. The four seasons represent a cycle of natural energy. By following this cycle to maintain these five organs, we can create a virtuous cycle, reduce disease, and achieve longevity and health.

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