For many peoples, autumn is a time of accumulation in the broadest sense: the preparation of food, firewood and other resources. In the Taoist tradition, it is customary to store not only pickles and jams for the winter, but also vital energy – qi. We will tell you why this energy is needed, why in winter it becomes worth its weight in gold and how to accumulate it over the coming month.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Wu Xing, or the Five Elements. So, Taoists believe that the basis of human life is the energy of qi – a kind of driver for health, joy and accomplishments.
If there is enough qi and it flows freely through the body, then we are full of energy and easily implement. your plans. When qi is deficient, we feel lethargy, apathy, and a breakdown. In autumn, the imbalance of energy is especially pronounced on the emotional level: it “emerges” from the depths of the subconscious as a feeling of own uselessness and rejection by the world.
“I am alone in this world and will never be needed by anyone!”
In order not to turn into such an invisible person, in the fall, Taoists are actively engaged in breathing practices of energy accumulation. For example, neigong or female Taoist practices.
But there are some principles of Wu-hsing theory that anyone can add to their usual way of life. And in a month you will notice how much more energetic and confident you have become.
Autumn palette
According to the theory of Wu-hsing, the metal element rules in autumn, and its color is white. How can this be used to store energy? Elementary: add some freshness to the interior!
In the living room – a white blanket thrown on an armchair, or covers for sofa cushions, light light curtains. Serve the kitchen table with white dishes, add textiles to match. And snow-white linens will turn your bedroom into a real luxury of a five-star hotel.
Of course, we do not suggest repainting your favorite pistachio walls white. Just add a few accents that will help your home accumulate qi for the long winter.
The same goes for clothes: changing into a white coat in a rainy November is not a good idea. But wearing a white jacket or shirt to an important meeting where you need an extra energy boost is not at all difficult. Even if you just change your mobile phone case to white, remembering that you are charging yourself with chi, it will work.
Energizing
Taoists believe that there are only three basic sources of energy: sleep, food and breathing. In order to get maximum energy from food, you need to feed the element of autumn correctly.
And if the color of the Metal is white, then the taste is sharp. Vary your diet with any spicy vegetables and spices, white cereals and white meats. Don’t just switch to these foods all at once, just add them to taste.
Another tip from Chinese doctors: to improve metabolism, all fruits and vegetables must be thermally processed before consumption. Does the thought of a warm fruit salad sound crazy? But such a dish is often served in trendy restaurants!
And do not worry about fiber – its useful fibers are preserved even with heat treatment. It’s just that the body does not have to spend the rest of the qi energy on the processing of coarse raw fibers.
In Chinese tradition, it is not customary to consume cold foods and drinks, especially during the cold autumn season.
It is believed that the body spends precious energy on heating them, and it no longer remains for the joy of life. In addition, cold food extinguishes the so-called “digestive fire” – it slows down metabolic processes and contributes to weight gain. And who needs this before the New Year?
Strengthening immunity
According to Wu-sin theory, the most important organ of autumn is the lungs. In some treatises, the large intestine and skin are also mentioned. All these organs are engaged in one useful thing – cleansing the body. The large intestine gets rid of food debris, the skin through the pores frees the body of toxins, and the lungs remove the exhaust air.
The lungs have another important function – to protect the body from infections. The respiratory tract is constantly exposed to inhaled microorganisms, and those, having penetrated the circulatory system, can organize one or another disease for us. It is the quality of the respiratory system and its supply of qi energy that ensure the stability of the immune system.
In the Qigong practice of Sing Shen Juang, there is an exercise “Crane Wings”. It releases the tops of the lungs, which are clamped in almost every person who is not working on opening the chest. So we physically expand the chest, and the lungs have more space for full functioning. It also improves their blood supply and renewal.
Exercise “Crane Wings”
To assess how the quality of your breathing can change, do the “Crane Wings” exercise in the “training” version – lying on the roller.
- Take a fitness roller or rolled up bath towel.
- Lie on the roller so that your neck and sacrum are located on it.
- On inspiration, straight, but maximally relaxed arms through the sides slowly go up.
- When the hands come up, take a few relaxed breaths into the lower ribs. Feel how the chest space is freed
- On exhalation, the arms slowly go down through the sides.
- In the middle position, when the arms are perpendicular to the axis of the body, stop. Take a few breaths into the tops of the lungs, which are above the collarbones. Feel their release.
Evaluate how freer your breathing became after doing this exercise. If over time you master the practice of Sing Shen Juang completely and regularly perform chest opening exercises, then such deep, free, renewing and replenishing breathing will become the norm for you.