Winter

In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys determine our longevity, vitality, reproductive wellness, and even the health of our bones and brain. The kidneys are associated with the water element and the season of winter, according to Five Element Theory.  In every season, but especially when the weather turns cold, I weave bone, brain, and vitality- strengthening kidney exercises into each Qigong class.  Many of these exercises are fun and feel great: we breathe deeply and feel how the rhythmic pump of the lungs and heart sends warmth throughout the body; as we tap on our body, rotate side-to-side, shake out tension, swing our arms or legs, we can almost feel those ice crystals melt.  It may be cold and dark outside, but there’s nothing quite like the sensation of warming up from the inside out, and that’s exactly what happens when we do Qigong.

As the weather gets chillier, we will also continue to do more standing Tao Yin exercises. Sometimes referred to as “Chinese Yoga”, Tao Yin includes wonderful strengthening and stretching exercises that send nourishing energy coursing through our meridians, bones, and joints, and muscles. (After our hour-long classes, if there is interest, I will offer an optional, brief Tao Yin practice of stretches done on the floor, but during our regularly scheduled class we will remain standing.) As always, I will teach modifications for those with osteoporosis or other restrictions: you’ll still get the qi!