For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere Winter is here!
Respecting the seasonal changes is an important part of a holistic wellbeing practice, and an important part of self care and compassion. We are all energy and our energy tunes in to the rhythm of our natural environment. Generally, in summer we feel energised and outward, and in winter there is an internal call to withdraw and retreat. It is important to honour that call, and here’s why.
Learning from Chinese medicine we can gain an understanding of what the season of Winter means for our emotional and physical wellbeing. Often Winter is seen as a vast bleakness, a time of dying and decay, but it is actually an important time in nature for reintegration, repair and preparation for the coming season of new beginnings and regrowth. We know that Winter is time of hibernation, a time of rest and rejuvenation but how does this impact us and our energy?
It is naturally a time for slowing down and many of you will have already felt this urge. More subtle, yet just as important, is the call to place greater attention on internal reflection and solitude. If you are feeling like withdrawing a little, being less social, sleeping more, or being less active, honour it. Listen to your body. Give your body what it needs. Rest. Slow down and nurture. Take time to be on your own, and reflect on the seasons that have already passed in this cycle of Spring, Summer and Autumn. Allow yourself to release anything in your life that may need to be put to bed, or laid to rest to allow for new seedlings to sprout. Perhaps, with this reflection you will find old habits, patterns, beliefs or even relationships that no longer serve you. This is the time let them go, make way for new healthier beginnings and relationships.
In Chinese medicine the energy of Winter is housed in the Water element. Water represents the unconscious, it is a symbol of our dreamlife, of our emotions, of that which we do not understand, and that which we fear. Emotionally you may be feeling increased fear or anxiety, as your body energetically moves into this element, and prepares itself for letting go of the old, and moving forward into the new and the unknown.
It is important to acknowledge these emotions; take time to reflect on how you feel, honour these feelings as they come up, don’t judge them or critique the. Simply observe and feel them, even the uncomfortable ones, process them and allow them to be released. When we are able to accept more of the vast mystery of life and our being, and allow our emotions to flow, we may find our ability to feel calm and balanced increases. This of course doesn’t mean that any fear or anxiety we feel will disappear completely from our lives but it will allow us to shift undigested emotions and prevent it from becoming blocked or stagnant, which in turn can lead to us feeling physically unwell.
Energy is always moving. Emotion is simply that energy in motion in the human experience. This is why tears are a good thing, just as laughter is, and deep breathing. The body will naturally expel unwanted energy through these processes if we allow it. You will sleep better and feel better as a result.
What else can you do to help your body during winter?
During the winter season energy is in our Bladder and Kidney meridians so it is important to stay well hydrated even though you may feel like drinking less. Drinking herbal tea or hot water can be a good alternative if you find it hard to take in cold water during winter. In Chinese medicine The Bladder is our store house of emotion, and the Kidney the store house of our life energy or ‘Chi’ so Winter is good time for flushing out our system of toxins and blocked energy or emotion.
Eating and drinking alkalising foods and liquids is a good place to start; for example, plant based green foods, along side your favourite hearty home cooked winter warmer. Adding Parsely and Celery to your diet can help, and drinking lemon in hot water will have an alkalising effect on the body, reducing the level of toxic acidity flowing through your system.
Implementing a Yin Yoga practice at this time of year, if you don’t already have one, is a great idea. Classes that focus on the bladder and kidney meridians will be particularly beneficial during winter. It is not uncommon to feel fear and anxiety rising in these classes as your body releases. With this in mind, stretching into the hips and hip flexors is a great way to get shift energy through these meridians in classes, or at home in your own space and time.
In Chinese medicine every being, every situation, every relationship, every experience, every thing must complete the seasonal cycle. Winter to Spring, Spring to Summer, Summer to Autumn, Autumn back to Winter and so on. The Cycle continues, and so to enjoy balance in our emotional and physical being we must honour the seasons and their impact on our energy and emotions. We must use this time of winter to let ourselves retreat, to look inward, acknowledge where our fears and anxieties reside, release those things that no longer serve us, and rest in preparation for the coming of new beginnings in Springtime!
Kinesiology and Reiki are both great ways to help shift energy and release undigested emotions. Winter is a great time to invest in your personal wellbeing. If you are struggling to release the old and make way for the new I’m here to help you with that.
Enjoy the down time and the solitude of winter. Enjoy lazy mornings, big slippers, warm soups, cosy blankets, wrapping up warm for long walks in nature, hot teas and perhaps some red wine by the fire.
Reiki, Kinesiology and Yoga nidra can help restore balance to your body and mind. Each practice helps your nervous system regulate so high alert anxiety is replaced with steadiness and calm. Science calls this the shift from sympathetic over drive to the parasympathetic state in which your body repairs — and you quickly start sleeping and feeling better.
My business hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 3pm and Saturdays 11am - 2pm. When working online, or with different time zones I can accommodate other hours so please ask if you can’t see times that work for you.
Kinesiology, Reiki and Yoga nidra are all available in person and online. I run Yoga nidra group sessions in person and Reiki circles where you can come to have a short Reiki experience. Both are held in Thirroul and surrounds, please ask if you are looking to join.
My next in person Reiki level one training will be held in June please look out for dates to be confirmed. Reiki level one online is ran every month, this months online training is 14 & 15 May 2023. Please contact me if you are interested.
Enjoy winter. Enjoy rest.
Love, Anna x
m: +61 (0)41 6972 230
e: hello@hhwithanna.com
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