Acupuncture in Winter
Traditional five-element acupuncture teaches us that in Winter, the only way to fully enjoy the powers of this season is to surrender to it and learn from what it has to offer us.
Winter Solstice – Deep Yin
Winter Solstice December 21st the day with the least amount of sunlight and most amount of darkness when the day is shortest and the night is longest. At noon, the sun appears at its lowest altitude above the horizon. A time of deep Yin Qi to be nurtured.
The Wisdom of Winter
In the Traditional Five element Acupuncture system, Winter is associated with the Water Element. The virtue of Water is its Wisdom, to look inwards and find our potential. Wisdom to overcome our fears and prepare ourselves for our emergence into the next year.
If we are too fearful to take the next step in our lives, we may not be able to find greater health and happiness, we can freeze, much like water will freeze in Winter.
Traditional Five Element Acupuncture can help prevent this freezing, or it can thaw by helping us become unencumbered by our thoughts and fears.
The essence of Water and Winter beckon us to turn inwards and find our strengths.
Replenish Your Qi
Time to harness our Water energy this Winter Solstice and harmonise our Qi (Energy or Life Force) of the Winter season.
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine says “In winter all is hidden. Winter is the season of retirement into depth, because of the cold outside. At this time, you must not disturb or disperse the yang (Fire, active) energy so that you can allow the yin reserves to be re-established within you.”
Keep Healthy During Winter
• Practice Self-acceptance: -Self-awareness and self-acceptance burns and thaws our fears so that we become fluid in body, mind and spirit and can move on healthfully.
• Take Time to Listen and Recharge Listen to your body and take time to replenish your reserves. This is a time of receiving, not doing. Be patient with yourself and those around you.
• Nurture Yourself Inwardly Imagine that the ideas and images that have been planted and are germinating within you, as in a garden, will begin to sprout in the spring. Nurture these images of hope but allow them to grow and develop within you quietly and naturally, just as plants grow.
• Nourish Yourself Well Nourish yourself with warm food and drink lots of water, winter sucks the moisture out of your body. It is very important to hydrate by drinking fresh warm water daily. Eat warming foods such as root vegetables, whole grains, and small amounts of meat or fish protein. If you are a vegetarian, eat more beans, nuts, and tempeh.
• Keep Warm Prepare for the weather, and dress accordingly. Traditional five element acupuncture recognises that the neck and shoulder areas contain the Wind points through which pathogens can enter, so keep these areas protected, wear a scarf and keep your neck covered. Meanwhile, enjoy everything that winter has to offer, within nature and within your inner self.
Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture treatment can help you embrace the seasons within. Acupuncture can help you feel able to face each day feeling stronger and with more self-confidence. For Traditional acupuncture treatment and care: contact Hannah Charles LicAc MBAcC at: https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/
Hannah Charles is a founder member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)
The BAcC is an advocate for traditional acupuncture professionals and maintains the highest professional standards to protect the general public. BAcC members are registered on an accredited register, regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care (PSA). For More information, see the website https://acupuncture.org.uk/
