Oh summertime!
The season that many of us look forward to filled with light and warmth, socialising and doing things we enjoy outside. The energy we can pick up is of an expansive nature- like the energy of Fire.
Just as we feel the heat from the sun during this time of the year, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the summer season is governed by the Fire element.
The Fire element is one of the 5 elements of TCM describing a phase, and all of them evolve into the next (creation cycle) but can also control and restrict respective elements within this cycle (controlling cycle), see picture.
The 5 element theory outlines the relationship between the elements in both nature around us and in ourselves (the macro- and the microcosm).
The basic elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These are associated with a specific season, organ system, color etc. and their relationship can be used to describe the health of our body and mind.
Every individual has the five elements in themselves and they can either be in balance or out of balance.
Each element is associated with a certain organ as well as meridian. According to TCM our life force Qi is running along the meridians nourishing our organs. That Qi can become deficient, stagnant or rebellious (i.e. not moving in the right direction).
Influence your energy body with intention and Yin Yoga poses
Yin Yoga poses can stimulate the tissues in which many of the main meridians are found, our connective tissue/ sinews. With poses that put pressure/ compression onto certain parts the body or poses that stretch certain areas we can influence the flow of energy along these areas, remove stagnation with the aim to restore a free flow of energy.
We can also incorporate the energetic qualities of an element into our practice and make this a theme to reflect on these aspects.
Qualities of the Fire Element
In TCM, the season of summer is the most Yang of seasons.
Yang represents heat and activity in comparison to Yin representing cool and rest. We all need a bit of Fire in our lives to keep us going, it brings a sense of warmth around the heart, makes us grateful, content and passionate. It gives meaning to our relationships with others and allows us to express ourselves fully. Too much or too little fire though can bring some imbalance.
The fire element, unlike the other elements, is associated with four main organs: the heart (yin), small intestines (yang), pericardium (yin) and triple heater (yang).
All of these meridians are running along the arms, both on the inside and the outside, so for a Yin Yoga practice we focus on these areas. Since the heart is considered the most important of the 4 organ systems, more emphasis is put onto the heart and its qualities.
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According to TCM, the Heart stores our spirit (or our Shen) and is responsible for housing our thoughts in our mind. Effectively, the Heart is the centre of our emotional and mental activity. Together with its Yang partner the small intestine it provides clarity of thought and a sense of gratitude.
Let the calm and soothing practice bring in clarity, as if the mud settles in the water. Also bring in some gratitude, let that establish warmth around the heart.
Practice Yin Yoga for the Fire element with me here:
Poses like: Anahatasana (melting heart), twisted child, wrist stretches, supported fish, broken wing etc. can all be practiced to stimulate the sinew pathways of the body along which we find the energetic channels related to the Fire element. We can create space here to nourish our heart energy.
Have a wonderful summer season and I hope you can incorporate some of these concepts into your Yoga practice.
With warmth,
Simone