Get the Point: Musings from the Acupuncture Chair–We are deeply immersed in a record-breaking snowfall which beautifully illustrates a major guiding principle of Asian medicine. When nature is balanced around us, we experience harmony and good health within our inner nature. When the climate and elements of nature become too excessive (yang) or deficient (yin) within a particular season, then we in turn experience an inner imbalance which can lead to disharmony and dis-ease.
If we experience too little snowfall, as we have in the past few winters, then we remain too busy and too driven to stop and attend to the Water element of Winter within which is nurtured by rest, contemplation and silence. A beautiful snowfall creating a special day off of rest actually nurtures our health and leads to less frequent disease in the Spring. Today’s snowfall is soon to become a blizzard with high winds and a dangerous icy component. It has become an excessive winter condition which can lead to increased dis-ease as the excess cold aggravates many chronic ailments and may create excess fear, especially with power outages and increased economic loss in these times. Acupuncturists are trained to see that this fear, in and of itself, can contribute to the creation of illness.
Therefore, it is important to keep yourself relaxed and calm today, centered in the nurturing thoughts of nature’s healing promise that the warmth and light of Springtime are only weeks away. Full Article