Marian Fixler, offers some self-help tips on
How to support your Liver & Gall Bladder in springtime .
Harnessing the energy of springtime
Spring is definitely here, the trees are getting fuller, the days are getting longer & we have been experiencing some glorious blue sky and sunshine -whilst continuing to have chilly (& even sometimes frosty) mornings. We have to constantly adapt to our changing environment, if we are to stay healthy.
One minute wrapping up warm, protecting ourselves against the elements, the next taking our layers off. And to stay healthy we also need to work WITH the elements – a keystone in East Asian Medicine where each of the elements of fire, water, earth, metal and wood have their own energy and qualities seen in nature and also in the internal dynamic of our bodies and organs.
Springtime is associated with the Liver & Gall Bladder & the element associated with these organs is wood and the environmental quality of wind, which is certainly appropriate for this time of year. Wind is about movement and has an upward rising energy. The branches of trees that can bend with the wind show flexibility and resilience. These are qualities that we do well to embrace in how we manage ourselves in relation to our environment.
Yang energy starts to rise upwards – think sap rising, new shoots springing forth, new lambs frolicking in the fields. New
beginnings, new possibilities, moving out into the world after a winter of hibernation. All very relevant images at this time – this year in particular.
The Liver has many functions in East Asian medicine & one of the key ones is keeping the qi or energy flowing freely in the body. Tapping can be used to facilitate this qi flow as we literally tap on dynamic meridian points. If the qi is moving we don’t feel stuck, we don’t have pain & we feel more vital physically, mentally & emotionally.
The meridian systems have many associations with regard to the areas of the body they influence, colour, direction of movement etc. The Liver’s flavour is sour and eating foods from this category is good for the Liver. Why not start your day with a warm glass of lemon water (add some ginger root for a more tangy twist).
The benefits of drinking lemon water
Refreshing warm drink to kick start your day.
Lemons have a natural cleansing effect on the liver.
They encourage good digestion & bowel movements.
Lemons are a great source of Vitamin C – helpful for the immune system.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protects cells from free radicals.
QI GONG EXERCISES FOR SPRINGTIME
QI gong exercise help us to keep energy flowing around the body & through the meridian system. Springtime is associated with the Liver & Gall Bladder meridians. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of the Qi around the body & is responsible for the storage of blood. It has an influence on sleep and the menstrual cycle amongst many other functions of the body. Just as the sap and shoots rise upwards in the Spring, so the Liver energy also has an upward focus. When this is out of balance, symptoms such as headaches, migraines, dizziness and high blood pressure can arise.
By practising Qi gong, we can help to keep our energy flowing and enable us to adapt to the changes we are facing in our lives. The Liver is about planning and moving forward, whilst the Gall Bladder is responsible for decision making. In order to move forward in our lives and make the decisions that are right for us, energy needs to be in balance & harmony in these meridians.
Here are a few links to Qi gong exercises for this time of year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DhCRShDLZM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5vB1zSB8mo
To contact me to discuss how I can support you please email me on:
m.fixler@japaneseacupuncturelondon.com
Or call me on: 07966411582
Marian Fixler, Acupuncturist and EFT Practitioner at Shine, Church Street.
