Do you feel suddenly excited about new possibilities? Do you feel like you’re being ‘pulled up’ by the light – the light of spring? Many of us do! Such is the power of spring season which is considered part of the WOOD element in the Chinese tradition.
Before we can really experience the unusual and quick “wake up” from winter sluggishness our bodies will often go through a few week period of discomforts. Many people get a simple cold, some get indigestion, while others can’t seem to shake down a general sense of agitation.
The energy of spring is uprising; excited and moving upward but sometimes chaotic and disturbing. From heavy winds to the seesaw of temperatures, from cold rain or snow one day and warm sun the next, the weather outside can be dramatic and throw us into a state of frustration. As it is with weather outside it is with our bodies inside! We imitate nature because we are nature.
Spring is about speed, competition and clarity. Energy is available for planning, seeing the big picture of life, and clever judgment. After a few weeks of transition life buzzes with creative energy because spring wakes up motivation in us.
Everything stretches its head towards the light. Light is life.
Have you noticed that New Year’s resolutions do not hold for long? That’s because there is no percolating power to support those resolutions. There is no strength to move forward or carry on. But spring resolutions have great power as energy is there to support our ideas and endeavors.
Observe what you are pulled towards. What thoughts keep bubbling up? What desires suddenly well up inside you out of the blue? It is from your depths that a force raises you up and demands action. It may even feel like an inner shout. Things we plan in spring have a chance to materialize themselves sometimes effortlessly. Take advantage of this rhythm within you. It will masterfully affect your whole year so you can reap the best rewards later.
The Liver and Gallbladder organs and meridians are most active during springtime. Remember, your liver performs over 500 functions in your body, like blood regulation, toxin breakdown, and metabolism of carbs, proteins and fats. It also contributes to your immunity from harmful intruders. In energy terms the liver system supports smooth flow of blood and energy. The smoother the flow, the better emotional and physical balance you have.
So how can we support the liver/gall bladder system when the whole of nature pushes upwards with pressure and with increasing speed?
Movement
Start moving. Consider bouncing, bending, stretching, skipping. Keep moving. Get off your subway stop earlier and walk to the office.
Recharge with green foods
Leafy greens are another way to support your spring organs.
Get to know your liver/gall bladder energetically
Some people need to protect themselves from influences of heavy winds that are so common in the spring. If your “Wind Points” are too open you will become vulnerable and may experience headaches, dizziness, stiffness, and fogginess.
To help close and protect your Wind Points, draw multiple small figure 8s:
- on the back of your neck close to the skull,
- on the top of your shoulders,
- over the top of the head,
- behind your earlobes
- behind your knees.
You can also trace your liver meridian and tap its beginning and end points. Tap Liver 14 (the last point of the meridian) point to relax your diaphragm. Stress affects this large muscle so tapping Liver 14 opens energy flow and further supports the lung meridian. Keeping energy in meridians flowing smoothly supports every function of your body.
Watch your emotions
It is helpful to observe your emotions, and during spring you want to be especially aware of frustration, irritation, anger. When they are exaggerated, such emotions can negatively affect the Wood element. You can use a prolonged “shhhhh” sound on an outbreath as if you are trying to shush someone. While laying your palms on your liver organ under your right breast, breathe in deeply and then very slowly release on the outbreath making “shhhhhh” sound to disperse frustration. Emotions are here to stay so we need easy tools for transforming them!
Bring more energy to the liver
To tonify the liver organ and meridian you can tap and then hold the Liver 3 point (which is known as a source point.) You will find it in the webbing between your big toe and 2nd toe. This is very helpful to everyone but especially helpful for those who take lots of medication; overeat and drink; experience sleepless nights; and tend to get overwhelmed with anger. Anger doesn’t have to be a scary emotion but like all other emotions when out of balance will negatively contribute to overall health. Anger blinds your mind and fogs your vision to plan ahead and we don’t want that during this critical spring season!
Create space in the body for energy to move
Stretch your body every day as if you are trying to connect Heaven and Earth. Look up to the blue sky stretching one hand all the way up and the other all the way down to Earth. Hold your breath and when you can’t hold any longer switch sides. Repeat few times. Bend forward giving your spine a soft stretch and after a 2nd breath come back up slowly weaving figure 8s in your field. Your body will be thankful for having space for energy to move with ease.
The Spring season is energetically very active within your body and outside your body. By processing this energy as smoothly and efficiently as possible, you set up the entire rest of the year up for good things to come!
