Five-Element Acupuncture

Autumn Practices

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

The energy of Autumn, more than any other season, encourages us to let go of anything that no longer serves. We are naturally drawn inward during this season of waning light; drawn to the things that really matter to us.

Here are some practices to intentionally benefit from the season:

Clean out the old:

Go through your home and work place. Clear out places where clutter collects. Clean out closets, filing cabinets, your car. Sell, give away or recycle as much as possible.

Assess your schedule - clear out any activities that you are done with - pare down to essentials.

If there is any unfinished business in your relationships, clean it up. Examine and release any gripes or grudges you may be holding.

Let go of pain that causes you unnecessary suffering. If appropriate, write down the things you need to release, then burn the paper.

Autumn is a great time to cleanse the body. Eliminate toxins from your diet and eat simple, whole foods.

Receive the pure energy of the season:

Go for a walk and breathe deeply - experience the clear, crisp air and feel how much energy it gives you.

Honor the friends, relatives, pets, and colleagues who add to your life. Let them know how much they mean to you.

Seek out things that inspire you - read an inspiring book, listen to music that moves you, view art that touches you, take an autumn hike in a place that you love.

Is there anything that you want to add to your life to enhance your health, energy or soul? Meditation, breathing exercises, or a gratitude journal are some examples.

Engaging with this season also prepares us for the deep stillness of Winter, when it is appropriate to be more quiet and restful. May you have a rich and beautiful Autumn!

For more information about Five-Element Acupuncture, see the Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

One Man's Garbage...

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:35:00 +0000

I learn a lot about the Elements when I am in my garden. I have two trees in my yard - an Oak and a Maple. Both are several decades old and drop a lot of leaves this time of year. Raking has always seemed to me to be a rather boring repetitive task - you can rake almost every day and there is always more to do this time of year.

My feeling about the leaves has completely changed this year because of new compost bins in the back yard. Now, I get excited when I see the yard I raked yesterday covered in leaves again. The leaves are the "waste" of the tree - they have served their function, the tree no longer needs them, so they are shed. But there is a lot of value in those leaves - wonderful organic matter and minerals. In more natural settings, the leaves do serve to enrich the soil directly and provide energy for future growth - its only in the city that they are considered a nuisance.

One of the Organs associated with the Metal Element is the Large Intestine. In thinking about the working of the Large Intestine - the most obvious function is the disposal of physical waste. But it also cleans out Mental garbage - old thoughts or attachments that need to be let go of so that our world is not infused with negativity. The Large Intestine clears out old gripes and grudges as well as sadnesses of the past. When the Metal Element is out of balance in us, we tend to either hold onto that which should be let go of, or let go of everything, seeing value in nothing. Life becomes filled with garbage, or totally empty.

In balance, we say goodbye appropriately, letting energy move around the cycle. We also honor the value in all things - ourselves included. The trees are great teachers of this - shedding leaves when they are finished with them, releasing all of the energy and valuable minerals in the leaves so that they may be used to fuel future growth.

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:45:00 +0000

I recently came upon this Thoreau quote and I love it!

Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.

~Henry David Thoreau

US Transcendentalist author (1817 - 1862)

For info on Five Element Acupuncture in Seattle see http://www.centercfea.com and to learn about Tai Chi in Seattle see http://www.taichiseattle.com.

Beginning Tai Chi Class

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:22:00 +0000

David will be teaching a Beginning Tai Chi class on Wednesday evenings starting in January. Class size will be limited to 12 people, due to the size of the room. Class will start January 16th, 2013 and will be held at our Acupuncture Clinic at 1529 Queen Anne Ave, Seattle, WA.

All the details as well as information about David Goodell available at the Tai Chi Seattle Website.

Roots & Branches 5 Element Qigong

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:16:00 +0000

Qigong classes are now available at our office! This valuable practice enhances health, facilitates well-being, and reduces stress.

Roots & Branches Qigong generates, circulates and unblocks “chi” (vital energy) allowing it to nourish us at the very deepest level. It is both very simple and very deep. Accessible to the athlete as well as the bedridden, it can restore health and strength, emotional equilibrium, mental clarity and spiritual awareness.

David will be teaching this practice over 6 Wednesday mornings beginning 3/21/12 at our acupuncture office on Queen Anne in Seattle. The class includes instruction and practice and each student will receive an instructional DVD for home use, making it easy to take the practice into daily life. More details are available on the Seattle School of Tai Chi website.

Winter

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Winter is a time of stillness & quiet. Here are some questions to ponder during the darkest and coldest season:

How are your reserves of energy? Do you have plenty or are you run down?

What practices do you have in your life that create space for stillness & reflection?

A mountain lake that freezes in the winter stores tremendous energy and power to fuel the growth of spring. Are you aware of your personal power and how you use it?

Do you manage your energy wisely? Do you contain your energy well, or let it spill out? Are your boundaries appropriate, allowing you to hold your energy and use it wisely?

If you find that your reserves of energy are low the following practices will help:

Sleep as much as your body needs. Long nights are meant for long sleep.

Stay warm.

Do gentle exercise - walking, Qigong, slow yoga.

Eat cooked foods & drink enough fluids.

Carve out space in your schedule that is unstructured - allow yourself to take it easy, sit by the fire and read a book or listen to music. Do nothing.

Looking for a Five-Element Acupuncturist?

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:46:00 +0000

I have wished for many years to have a complete list of all of the Five-Element acupuncturists out there. It is often difficult to find one when I need to refer someone. We finally put together a list and decided to make it available and searchable on the web. It is an attempt to gather, into one list, all of the practitioners who studied with or were inspired by the late JR Worsley. The list is a work in progress and is becoming more accurate as practitioners send us their current info.

Visit the Five Element Acupuncture Community Website at www.feacom.com and have a look!

If you are a practitioner, please update your listing so we can find you!

Summer Balance

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:41:00 +0000

When we are in balance, we feel comfortable and thrive in each season. We are happy to rest more in the Winter, have the energy to launch in the Spring and feel excited to play and connect with people in the Summer. When we are out of balance we feel out of sync with what is happening in Nature.

Summer is the season of the Fire Element. It is the time when there is the most light & active energy in Nature. In balance, most people find that they have a lot of energy this time of year - they feel excited to be social, fill their calendar with activities and enjoy the long hours of light.

For some, summer is a challenging time. When there is so much light and energy, it is easy to go overboard with activity and fun. Like a fire burning high and bright using up all the fuel, one can end up exhausted and burnt out. A steady and focussed burn is more sustainable. Knowing how to ride the wave of energy in the summer - go big - but realize where the limit is. Know when to slow down and take some time off.

In the opposite extreme, some people feel more sad and isolated this time of year. Sometimes watching others be busy with friends and family can be hard if there is a lack of close relationships in one's life. It feels like “Why is everyone off having a good time and I’m all alone? Why didn’t I get invited?” It can be doubly hard because the cultural expectation is that we all feel great in the summer and love this season.

In this case, the most helpful thing is to be aware of the pattern and plan for it. It may mean organizing events with friends and family in advance, before calendars fill. Making a point of inviting people over for dinner or a party. Reaching out and letting friends know that this is a difficult season. Finding a biking or hiking group to join. Taking sailing lessons and going out weekly with a group.

The goal is harmony with Summer. Plenty of fun - not too much, not too little. Enjoy!

Autumn Practices

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 20:25:00 +0000

Autumn: Letting Go, Seeking Inspiration.

Here are some Valuable practices for the Season:

Resolve old gripes with those around you so that you can move on. Let go of pain that causes you unnecessary suffering. If appropriate, write down the things you need to release, then burn the paper.

Clear out spaces where clutter collects. Do a deep clean and organize medicine cabinets, filing cabinets, storage closets, and bookshelves. Recycle or give away whatever you no longer need.

Autumn is a great time to cleanse the body. Do a short fast or eliminate toxins from you diet. Focus on simple, seasonal cooked foods.

Assess your schedule and clear out any activities that you are done with - pare down to essentials.

Pay special attention to your lungs and breathing - exercise outdoors with an emphasis on filling your lungs with pure air and energy.

Seek out things that inspire you - read an inspiring book, listen to music that moves you, view art that touches you, listen to an inspiring speaker.

Honor that people and things in your life that add value to your experience.

For more information about Five-Element Acupuncture see the Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Practices for Late Summer

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:10:00 +0000

Take time to really savor - go for a walk in Nature. Walk slowly. Pay attention to the sounds & the smells.

Go apple picking.

Do a gratitude meditation. Spend a few minutes feeling grateful for the people in your life and the ways in which you are blessed.

Visit your farmer's market and savor the visual feast. Take home a basket of goodies and prepare a harvest meal.

Assess your stores:

Do you have what you need on a physical level? This is a good time to asses your cold weather clothing, do any mending that is needed.

Do you have what you need on a mental level? Are there any new skills you want to acquire? Any classes you are interested in taking or books you have been wanting to read?

How are your spiritual stores? Are you feeling peaceful, full & satisfied inside? How do you replenish your Spirit?

The Energy of Late Summer:

Late Summer is the Season of the Earth Element. In each of us, this Element is responsible for receiving and processing nourishment. The Stomach and Spleen are the organs of this Element. When we eat a meal, our Stomach receives and digests our food. The nutrients are then moved throughout the body and assimilated; made a part of us.

The same action happens in the mental and spiritual realms. We take in information and our mind must digest it and assimilate it in order for it to become our own.

I especially notice the functioning of this Element on the spirit level. When our Earth does not function appropriately we feel may unsatisfied, annoyed, or empty.

"Everything in my life is good, but I don't feel good - I should feel grateful, but I just feel burdened by it all, annoyed with everyone who wants my attention, like I just want to get away from it all" might be what is said.

Often times this is the result of not being able to take in and receive nourishment from ones life. People and activities that could feed & replenish us, just turn into burdens. Its like sitting down to a meal when you are still full from the last one - there's just no room to take in anything more. If we are not adequately processing, digesting, and assimilating nothing satisfies.

Acupuncture can directly treat this imbalance - supporting the natural ability to receive and process. There are other ways to help yourself when you notice that you are feeling out of balance in this way. One of the best is to just stop everything. Take a few hours off - no phone, no email, nothing coming in. Let yourself relax and feel the Earth underneath you. Go for a walk, taking in the beauty of your surroundings. Quietly tending to chores can also encourage the Earth to come into balance and process more efficiently.

For more information about Five-Element Acupuncture see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Summer Practices

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:24:00 +0000

Some ideas for Summertime activities:

Celebrate! Take advantage of the natural enthusiasm of the Summer and do things that bring you Joy.

Work from the Heart. Recall your passions and express yourself from your Heart in everything that you do.

Play! Take a tip from little kids. Join a team, get on a swing, paddle a boat, laugh with friends, build a sand castle, play catch, and go hiking

Notice the unique fragrance and presentation of the flowers in bloom. Let yourself blossom and show yourself to the world. See the beauty in those around you.

Eat berries by the handful - its like storing up sweet sunshine for the Winter.

Connect with people you may not have seen in awhile. Reach out to neighbors and extend yourself a little more that you might in cooler months.

Notice when you need a quiet break from it all and take a day to be indoors and more still - a day of quiet Yin within the Yang season.

For more info go to The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Spring Pear Tree

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Sun, 02 May 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Each spring I closely watch my little pear tree. I see it grow blossoms, each one a part of the tree's plan for the year ahead. I see how much fruit it is hoping to create and mature over the growing season. Some of the blossoms are pollinated and set fruit. I look closely to see the slight swelling within the fading flower which is pear shaped even from its earliest days. I watch excitedly as the fruit begins to grow until I see tiny pears about an inch long. Then, a strange thing happens. The tree drops some of the baby pears. Does it realize that it took on too much? Wise judgment to know that if it tries to go forward with all of the plans, it will not work. So, it edits.

The remaining fruits grow to maturity - a harvest for people and birds to enjoy - and seeds contained inside to grow another generation.

I see this process inside of myself. All of the exciting, hopeful ideas that my mind generates. So much potential! Then, the moment I realize that if I pursue all of them, it will come to nothing - there will not be enough to go around. Am I sufficiently in balance to know what needs to be cut from my plan in order to allow for a successful harvest down the road?

What are you doing when you feel my Pulses?

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:25:00 +0000

You have 12 pulses – six on each side. Each pulse corresponds to an organ – your Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, etc. When I feel each pulse, I am assessing the functioning of the corresponding organ. I feel your pulses at the beginning of each treatment to evaluate how you are doing on that day and how things have changed since I last saw you. I feel them during and at the end of each treatment to ensure that they have changed for the better. I do not let clients leave until their pulses are significantly improved.

One of the most amazing things about this medicine is the holistic view of the organs. Each organ has physical, mental, and emotional aspects. In fact, we call them Officials, as if they were people working in a kingdom, each in charge of specific tasks. For instance, the Large Intestine Official is in charge of taking out the garbage. This means disposing of physical waste so that it does not build up and slow the workings of the other Officials. It also must clean out Mental garbage – old thoughts or attachments that need to be let go of – cleared out so that our view of the world is not infused with negativity. The Large Intestine Official must also clear out old gripes and grudges as well as sadnesses of the past.

So, when I feel the Large Intestine pulse, I am hearing about all of these levels of functioning. How is your physical waste elimination going? How are you doing with letting go of the past when it is appropriate? Clearing out negative thoughts? Do you need any help here, or are things working well?

Then I move on to the other eleven Officials, listening to how each one is functioning on multiple levels.

In the big picture, I seek to help you & your pulses in two basic ways. First of all, I want to see a good overall balance. Disease begins to develop if some Officials have plenty of energy, while others are struggling. Your pulses reveal very specifically which Officials are deficient and if energy is blocked between Officials.

Secondly, you need to have an abundance of good quality energy available to all of the Officials. Once the energy is relatively balanced among the 12, then there must be plenty to go around. When the energy is insufficient, some Officials will stop functioning optimally.

Long before any disease develops, the pulses reveal imbalances and deficiencies in the system, telling me how to help restore balance, regenerate energy & help prevent illness from occurring.

For more info see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle

A Long Winter's Rest

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:25:00 +0000

Winter calls us to sink into relaxation and rest, knowing that Spring will bring a burst of light and energy. Now is the time to be quiet. A season of inquiry.

Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself:

How are my reserves of energy? Have I run myself low? Do I need to replenish?

Do I manage my energy wisely?

Are my boundaries appropriate, allowing me to hold my energy and use it consciously?

Is there space in my life for reflection, stillness, and contemplation?

And some practices:

Run an experiment - give yourself an afternoon or a day to do nothing other than relax - read a book, nap, let go of all goals. See how you feel at the end of the time.

Go to the mountains. Walk or snowshoe in the snowy woods. Notice the stillness that the blanket of snow brings and how quiet you become inside as your body comes into harmony with Winter.

Schedule more time for your inner life. Practice meditation, read books that nourish you, pay more attention to your senses.

Eat warming foods - focus on cooked vegetables, grains, and meat.

Schedule an acupuncture appointment for a Seasonal tune up.

Entering Winter

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Autumn is changing to Winter in Seattle. Most of the leaves have fallen and are waiting in piles if they have not been taken away. All that energy from the sun, rain and soil went into the production of so many leaves. Oak leaves in particular are so sturdy; thick, hard to even tear apart. As they sit in a compost pile, laced with horse manure, they break down slowly, becoming rich soil thanks to the worms and microbes. As the pile gets one last turn before it is tucked in for a winter slumber, I think about the yucky stuff in each of us that melts slowly into enriching insights if we are willing to give it some air and proper attention. Like jealous feelings that lead us to realize that in the light of consciousness all positions are equal, all is one. Or the intense grief and heartbreak felt when we are rejected. It shows us the depth and capacity for love that exists in our hearts.

As we move into Winter, are there any areas of difficulty that you want to unearth and explore, and then allow to soften and melt during the dark months, liberating and enriching you for the Spring?

Autumn Practices

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:15:00 +0000

In Autumn we Let Go.
Move downward.
Seek Inspiration.

Here are some great practices to make use of the energy of the season:

Clean out the old:

Go through your home and work place. Clear out places where clutter collects. Clean out closets, filing cabinets & medicine cabinets. Comb through your bookshelves for items that you no longer need. Sell, give away or recycle as much as possible.
Assess your schedule - clear out any activities that you are done with - pare down to essentials.
If there is any unfinished business in your relationships, clean it up
Let go of pain that causes you unnecessary suffering. If appropriate, write down the things you need to release, then burn the paper.
Autumn is a great time to cleanse the body. Eliminate toxins from your diet and eat simple, whole foods.

Receive the pure energy of the season:

Go for a walk and breathe deeply - experience the clear, crisp air and feel how much energy it gives you.
Honor the friends, relatives, pets, colleagues who add to your life.
Seek out things that inspire you - read an inspiring book, listen to music that moves you, view art that touches you.
Is there anything that you want to add to your life to enhance your health, energy or soul? Meditation, regular breathing exercise, a gratitude journal are some examples.

Practices for Late Summer

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Late Summer is almost gone...

While its still here:

Go apple picking

Do a gratitude meditation - focus on all that you are grateful for or spend a few minutes at the end of each day feeling gratitude for specific people, events or moments.

Take a long slow walk outside, really taking in and savoring all that you smell, see, hear.

Bake a pie or crisp - share it with loved ones.

Slow down and let the magic of life and Nature feed you.

Let pear juice run down your wrist as you take a sweet bite.

Have an acupuncture treatment to facilitate balance and being in harmony with Late Summer.

For more information see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Late Summer

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Aaahhh! Late Summer! A sweet time! The harvest is flowing in - plums, pears, & apples are literally falling from the trees. Tomatoes are popping off the vines. Blackberries are sweet and abundant, slipped warm from a branch into our mouths. The earth is feeding us.

Chinese philosophy recognizes five seasons - Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Late Summer. It is Late Summer in Seattle right now. The heat of Summer is gone - the earth is cooling and Nature is pouring forth a great harvest.

The energy of Late Summer exists in each of us. When it is in balance we truly receive. We feel nourished & satisfied with our lives and the abundance that we have. There is a sense of gratitude for our health, family, and friends. We feel delighted with life!

For more information see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Practices for Summer

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Celebrate! Take advantage of the natural enthusiasm of the Summer and do things that bring you Joy.

Play! Join a team, get on a swing, paddle a boat, laugh with friends, build a sand castle, play hopscotch and blow bubbles.

Work from the Heart. Recall your passions and express yourself from your Heart in everything that you do.

Notice the unique fragrance and presentation of the flowers in bloom. Let yourself blossom and show yourself to the world. See the beauty in those around you.

Rise early in the morning.

Connect with people you may not have seen in awhile. Reach out to neighbors and extend yourself just a little further than you might in cooler months.

Eat summer fruits - raspberries, blueberries, cherries. Focus on what is fresh and growing near you.

For more information see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Summer Lovin'

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Summer is here in Seattle. The rapid rising of Spring has given way to the full energy of Summer. The days are long and plants are maturing rapidly. Small fruits will ripen soon; larger fruits are growing and maturing. The tall trees are in full leaf - able to gather huge amounts of energy from the sun. Early summer flowers are in bloom and many plants are buzzing with bees carrying information from flower to flower - connecting them all together.

There is a tremendous amount of energy available right now - this is a great time of year to rise early and get going with the day. If you rested well in the Winter, and sprouted your vision and laid plans in the Spring, Summer is the time to busily fulfill your vision. Its a time of action. Its also time to play and be with loved ones. The warm weather brings people out onto porches, balconies, and into parks. Socializing and connecting with friends and neighbors is a natural activity.

Living in a place where Summer is often short makes it all the more important to really fill up on sunshine, fun, love, and play.

For more information see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Its clearly Spring here in Seattle! Plants are growing inches a day and nature is busy. The deep rest of winter has given way to a flurry of activity. It is happening inside of us, too. If we are well and in balance it is natural to rise early, to lay plans for the coming year. We look into the future and see a clear vision for our lives. Its time to launch ideas that have been gestating. Favorite springtime activities include:

A visioning exercise - create a vision board - a collage of images that embody your dreams and plans for the future.

A deep spring clean, internally with a cleanse, or externally in your space.

Trying a new activity, joining a class, or stretching into something you have never done before.

Making decisions and moving forward in any areas of life where you have felt stuck.

Happy Spring!!

For more information see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle

Late Winter

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:51:00 +0000

It is late Winter here in Seattle. The first bulbs are flowering and buds are beginning to swell on the trees. All of a sudden the days are lengthening - in fact the rate of change speeds up this time of year - it is getting light faster! You can feel that the energy is starting to change.

There is caution needed this time of year. Although things are changing quickly, it is still winter. Professor Cheng, the great Chinese physician and T'ai Chi Master, used to caution that this is the time of year when many people get sick because they do not keep warm. The earth is still quite cold. Just sit down on the grass and you will feel it! I often see people with the flu this time of year and sometimes ending up with pneumonia or a bad sinus infection. It is time to use energy wisely. Sleep as much as your body needs. Be inside in the evening. Let small projects begin to flower, but keep ambition in check. Spring is coming, and with it plenty of energy and momentum.

For more information see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Questions for Winter

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:45:00 +0000

Winter is the season of stillness & inquiry. Time to go deep inside and reflect on the essence of life.

Some questions to ponder at this time of year:

What is the state of your reserves of energy? Do you have plenty or have you run yourself down? Take the time to build up your reserves if needed. Rest. Stay warm. Drink lots of water.
What practices do you have in your life that create space for stillness and reflection?
A mountain lake that freezes in the winter is storing its power - when it thaws it fuels that tremendous growth of spring. Are you aware of your personal power and how you use it?
Do you manage your energy wisely? Do you contain your energy well or do you spill it out in your life? Are your boundaries appropriate, allowing you to hold your own energy and use it consciously?

Practices for Winter include:

Sleeping as much as your body needs.
Gathering with close friends and family - time to go deep with those who mean the most to you.
Taking a conscious rest vacation or retreat.
Eating cooked foods - warming stews and roasted vegetables.

For more information about living in harmony with the seasons and Five-Element Acupuncture see the Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

Winter

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:45:00 +0000

Winter is a time of quiet and depth.

Trees are stripped of their leaves; the activity is internal.

Animals hibernate. Perennial plants lose their branches and leaves, appearing to be dead.

There is stillness. Things are down to their essence, stripped to their core. This is the time of darkness.

Mountain lakes and rivers freeze - storing their power to fuel the growth of spring.

This is a time for internal work: containment, meditation, collection, and storage of energy. Now is the time to restore our reserves of energy, to gather strength for the year ahead. Snowy days force outward activity to stop. We must be indoors. Once we let go of our attachment to cancelled plans, these days provide a much needed Winter rest. Time to sleep, relax, restore..

For information about Five-Element Acupuncture see the Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.

For information about Tai Chi see taichiseattle.com

More Practices for Autumn

noreply@blogger.com (April Hulvershorn) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:00:00 +0000

In Autumn we
Let Go
Move Downward
Seek Inspiration

Some Seasonal Practices:

Resolve old gripes with those around you so that you can move on. Let go of pain that causes you unnecessary suffering. If appropriate, write down the things you need to release, then burn the paper.
Clear out spaces where clutter collects. Do a deep clean and organize medicine cabinets, filing cabinets, storage closets.
Autumn is a great time to cleanse the body. Do a short fast or eliminate toxins from you diet.
Pay special attention to your lungs and breathing - exercise outdoors with an emphasis on filling your lungs with pure air and energy.
Seek out things that inspire you - read an inspiring book, listen to music that moves you, view art that touches you.

For more information see The Center for Classical Five-Element Acupuncture in Seattle.