The season of spring is vigorous and forceful because things have to grow. We need to move like the wind and in fact, wind is the weather of spring. Spring is the the color of bright green, the element is wood, and the organ is liver. Liver’s partner is the gall bladder. Anger is associated… Continue reading Liver spring
Tag: Chinese medicine
Summer
Summer can be a peak experience and that is why people like it. Summer feels generous. There is a bumper sticker that says “Be Love.” This is the season to be love. Fire is the element of summer. Fire is also spirit, the universal life force that supports matter and form. This is the time… Continue reading Summer
Spring
Spring is a marching band. At first the ground is cold. The earth, parts of it, are still sleeping from winter. Buds flower and awaken pollinators and people. Action is the call of spring. Movement is the motion. It is more yang than yin. We leave the yin of winter for the yang of spring.… Continue reading Spring
Move, Flow, Meditate
We often refer to mindfulness and being mindful. What does this mean? Literally, the character for mindfulness can be translated as “presence of heart.” Gather on the University of Oregon’s EMU lawn at 6:00 p.m., May 22, for Move, Flow, Meditate, a first-time mindful event to awaken to now. Join an actively mindful function… Continue reading Move, Flow, Meditate
Cattails are dynamic, yet humble
(This article appears in the April 2018 issue of Take Root Magazine) When you see bunches of cattails lining the edges of water, do you think about using them to weave mats? Stop bleeding? Make pancakes? Stuff life jackets? Bind diarrhea? Ease chest pain? You will now! And that’s the short list of the uses… Continue reading Cattails are dynamic, yet humble
Acupuncture at the University of Oregon Student Health Center
2/27/18 presentation notes Main topics: Who do I see and why? Why refer to acupuncture? What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture? Does it hurt? Who gets acupuncture? From the schedule Tuesday 2/6, seven patients: Plantar fasciitis Neck & upper trap pain Upper thoracic pain Right calf pain Left forearm pain Back pain,… Continue reading Acupuncture at the University of Oregon Student Health Center
Go to the empty places
January is empty for reservoirs. They hold the void. There is no water, wake, or waves. Hardly anyone is there. You’d see them if they were; there’s nowhere to hide. I tromped around wondering about the emptiness. Which reminded me of the importance of being empty. My friend recommends going into a room empty. Especially… Continue reading Go to the empty places
If nettles call, go.
Be the tree, strong and flexible: spring is in the air.
Wood is the element of spring. What are the conditions of spring and how do we notice, align, and incorporate with this season? This blog churns up a few notions about Chinese medicine from an elemental/seasonal perspective. We are all of this earth, so we have earthy elements. Studying the elements is a way to… Continue reading Be the tree, strong and flexible: spring is in the air.
DIY autumn body wash: Inspire; Release!
The following is a fall aromatherapy body wash based on Chinese elemental theory. The season is: autumn. Time to let go of the old, and take in the new. The direction of this time of year is downward- a quiet movement back into the earth to push nutrients into the soil for next spring. The… Continue reading DIY autumn body wash: Inspire; Release!