In Chinese Medicine, the season of Spring stands for creation, rejuvination and new beginnings. Nature clearly shows us how a new cycle begins after the long break of hibernation in winter time.
Spring is the season of the WOOD element, the first element in the five element cycle. So just like a tree, it represents growth and development on a personal, mental and spiritual level. The power of wood is to regulate and restore.
If the wood element isn't balanced we can feel the need to manipulate and control the situation, become self-critical, lack self control and vision.
The main focus is on the Gallbladder and Liver Meridians
Element: Wood
Season: Spring
Chakra: Solar Plexus
Colour: Green
Emotion: Anger
Liver is a YIN organ and Gallbladder is a YANG organ. These will be the main meridians we will be focusing on during the summer months. The Liver is considered to be a 'general of an army'. It regulates the volume of blood and Qi of the body and plants. The Liver harmonises the Qi and and blood of the whole body resulting in good vision, healthy menstruation, overall emotional balance, flexibility and decisiveness.
If the Liver Qi is not moving freely and smoothly, the blood and emotions will be stagnant.
Gallbladder is a YANG organ. It stores and secrets bile. Emotionally it corresponds to courage and decision making. The Liver makes plans and the Gallbladder takes initiative and executes them.
The Liver meridian begins at the inside of the nail of the big toe and runs along the top of the foot. It climbs the front of the ankle and then runs up the inside (medial) part of the leg (running just beneath the Spleen meridian) until it reaches the pubic area. From here it curves around the external genitalia and goes into the lower abdomen where it enters into the liver and the gall bladder. Rising higher, it branches in several directions, with one branch connecting to the Lung meridian. Rising still higher, the Liver meridian follows the throat and connects with the eyes before branching again. One branch reaches down across the cheeks and circles the lips, while a higher branch goes across the forehead to the crown where it links with the Governor Vessel meridian.
Lower back pain, abdominal pain, or mental disturbances may be a sign of disharmony of the Liver. Frequent or unreasonable anger or irritation may also be a sign of dysfunction here.
The Gall Bladder meridian begins at the outer corner of the eye (close to the Liver meridian, which passes through the center of the eye) and immediately branches into two lines. A main branch remains on the surface and winds back and forth across the side of the head and above the ear, before turning downward along the side of the neck. After following the top of the shoulder, it passes under the arm and zigzags along the side of the ribs to the hips. The other branch goes inside the cheek and descends to the liver and gall bladder. From there it descends farther and emerges in time to rejoin the first branch at the front of the hip. The single line then descends, running along the outside (lateral) thigh and knee until it reaches the ankle. It runs across the top of the foot until it reaches the fourth toe; however, another branch leaves at the ankle to run across the top of the foot and join the Liver meridian at the big toe.
Headache, blurred vision, and pains along the side of the body including the eyes, ears, and throat may be an indication of problems with the Gall Bladder meridian.
Yin Yoga is a practice of stillness and surrender, and it is very much resonating with the idea of surrendering to the changes, uncertainty and fear of the unknown; surrendering to this new chapter in our lives and learning to manage it in a mindful way, learning to celebrate and accept it as something positive.
We would love to share this wonderful Practice with you!
