Spring! Wood energy in Five Element Theory
Spring is the season for renewed growth. It is time to stretch our tendons, clean our liver, and release lingering anger. In traditional Chinese medicine, the five elements each correspond to a season (with late summer being the "5th season"), specific organs in the human body, colors, and related qigong exercises for optimizing the body during each time of year. The five animal frolics, for instance, are qigong exercises each named after a specific animal and each designed to produce healing benefits for specific organ systems.
Our internal arts archive contains many articles and videos relating to the five elements, seasonal theory, and related qigongs. This collection is a sampling of that content to get you started if you are interested in learning the basics of how to optimize healing in Springtime.
For more in depth reading on five element theory, I've included links to a some recommended books below. Any time you purchase a book using a link on this website, Amazon drops a few pennies in the tip jar :) Thanks for visiting Tai Chi Spot!
Our internal arts archive contains many articles and videos relating to the five elements, seasonal theory, and related qigongs. This collection is a sampling of that content to get you started if you are interested in learning the basics of how to optimize healing in Springtime.
For more in depth reading on five element theory, I've included links to a some recommended books below. Any time you purchase a book using a link on this website, Amazon drops a few pennies in the tip jar :) Thanks for visiting Tai Chi Spot!
1
SPRING: The Season of Renewal; the element of Wood | Five Element Healing
We welcome spring, rejoicing in the longer days and the vision of growth and rebirth after the depth and introspection we experienced in winter. The seeds
- five elements
- five element theory
2
5 Element - Spring and Wood
Spring is the beginning of the season cycle, a time of birth and new beginnings. It is also the energy of the element Wood.
This is the energy that brings forth new growth, that pushes the new grass through the snow, the new branches out from old wood, produces new leaves. It does this so nature can take in the nourishment it needs to flourish.
- five elements
- five element theory
3
Five Elements Corner: The Wood Element - Springtime is the Season of Renewal and Growth | Acubalance Wellness Centre
By Kathleen Lee R.TCM.P, L.Ac, FABORM, MTCM, B.Sc on Mon, May 08 2017
In Chinese Medicine, Springtime is associated with the Wood Element. When I am thinking about the Wood element, I am brought to one of my happy places: laying on the banks of a creek and gazing up at a ring of redwoods in northern California. From here, it is easy to marvel at the strength of Wood, but stay a bit longer and you see that the trees are not only strong, their strength is balanced with their suppleness and ability to bend flexibly with the winds. A healthy tree has its roots grounded firmly in the earth, and draws water from deep within to nourish its branches and leaves.
- five elements
- five element theory
4
The Spirit of Renewal: Spring and Traditional Chinese Medicine - Acufinder.com
Spring is the ideal time for cleansing and rejuvenation for overall health and well-being. As spring is represented by the wood element and includes the liver and its complementary organ, the gallbladder, these two organs are usually the primary targets for springtime cleansing and health regimens.
- five elements
- five element theory
5
Spring and TCM - 5 Element Theory - Pacific College
The Five Element Theory serves as a major diagnostic and treatment tool in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is based on the observation of the natural cycles and interrelationships in the environment and within ourselves. For example, there are five environmental elements – fire, eart
- five elements
- five element theory
6
The Five Elements: Wood ~ by Neil R. Gumenick
As the days become warmer and brighter, nature rouses from her winter slumber and looks ahead to the new growth of spring. The Wood, which has been at rest, storing and concentrating its energy under a winter blanket, now bursts forth with new buds, new life piercing Earth's crust. The swelling Wood of spring initiates rebirth - a surge of rising energy, like the young lamb staggering up to nurse, like the dandelion whose growing edge can burst through concrete if it must. Wood is the energy of youth and growth: a new beginning, a vision of a whole new cycle. The Wood energy of spring is an expression of life at its strongest.
If we have followed nature's way and taken a winter rest, we too emerge into spring “raring to go,” with clear vision and a sense of purpose. This is the season to plant seeds for a future harvest, to look ahead and make new plans, formulate new ideas, make decisions, and determine our direction for the coming year - and to take action.
- five elements
- five element theory
7
Qigong for the Seasons: Spring Relates to the Wood Phase - Shambhala Mountain Center
By Ron Davis Photo by Greg Smith The following has been adapted from “Qigong Through The Seasons – How to Stay Healthy all Year Long with Qigong, Meditation, Diet and Herbs” by Dr. Ronald Davis, published by Singing Dragon, 2015. Spring is the Wood Phase This is a heady, invigorating, sometimes disturbing season with wild …
- qigong
- blog post
8
Energy of the Spring Season
Spring is prime time for strengthening the liver energy. Being active and eating the right foods can really help the liver energy. Strong liver energy brings more physical energy and vitality. Here are some helpful tips:
Be Active
Physical activity is so important in springtime and for revitalizing the liver energy. Take a walk, dance, do more qigong active exercises, do things that get your body moving. Start slowly and don’t overdo but being active is so beneficial.
Eat Green
Eating seasonally, organically and locally grown foods are always beneficial and in spring time you should eat more green vegetables, leafy vegetables, dandelion greens, spinach, kale, leeks, asparagus, sprouts and beans and the like. Eat a good variety of these foods. Eat them raw or steamed or lightly sautéed or stir fried. Avoid or greatly limit fried, deep-fried or fatty foods. Avoiding them is best.
See Green
Green is the color associated with the liver so take time each day to look at green things, green grass, new leaves on the trees, new growth on shrubs and bushes. The energy from the green color of these things is very beneficial and can really help to strengthen your liver energy just by looking at them. If you work near your computer so that you can look at it once in awhile.
Better yet get two plants and put one in place for a week or two while the second plant is in a good place for getting the sun. Then exchange places for the plants every week or two. Also, the plant can absorb the energy from the computer. So the plant helps protect you, which is important anytime, especially in the spring because that is liver time – and your liver needs the energy.
- qigong
- articles
9
Four Qigong Practices to Welcome Spring | Daoist Gate
Spring Qigong
Qigong is a traditional Chinese wellness practice that uses a mixture of mindful body posture, breathing, and visualization to regulate the body’s Qi energy. Qigong stimulates meridians and acupuncture points, improving blood flow and organ function. One of my personal favorite Daoist Qigong practices is Ling Jianzi’s Four Seasons Qigong.
Ling Jianzi 灵剑子 (239 AD – 374 AD) was a Daoist priest who had a deep understanding of yin and yang and the 5 elements. Legend has it that he lived to be 126. Ling Jianzi’s Four Seasons Qigong is designed to guide your body smoothly though seasonal changes.
During spring, the world’s Yang energy increases. It is a time of rebirth and growth. Humans experience the same energetic changes. The spring season corresponds to the liver and gallbladder. The liver is responsible for storing blood and controlling the smooth flow of Qi. Ling Jianzi’s spring practices awaken our own body after winter and welcome in the fresh spring energy.
- qigong
- instructional
- five elements
- five element theory
- blog post
10
SEASONAL QIGONG A SPRING PRACTICE - Taiji Forum
SEASONAL QIGONG A SPRING PRACTICE: seasonal living is a lifestyle in tune with nature’s changes, balanced energy flowing through the body equates to ...
- qigong
- instructional
11
A 6-minute Qi Gong Routine for Spring - Holden QiGong
Spring is the season of abundance. It’s the time when nature comes to life. The flowers blossom. The trees grow new leaves… and everyone starts getting outside again. In Spring, the energy is all about strength and flexibility. In Qi Gong, we call this resiliency. This is the energy we want in our practice...
- qigong
- spring
- instructional
12
Taoist Seasons - Spring - Wood Element - Energy Arts
The Dao of Sprouting. The three months of spring are called putting forth and displaying. Heaven and Earth all sprout.
- five elements
- five element theory
- blog post
13
Yin Yoga - Wood Element
by Marcela Mota
Which Organs Are We Targeting and Why?
We will be working Gall Bladder and Liver Meridians.
- Energetically, the Liver smooths the flow of Qi and thus allows one to create and execute change.
- The Gallbladder is necessary for the change to occur, as it is the organ responsible for making decisions.
Which Asana Sequence Is Recommended to Balance Wood Element?
- Shoe Lace
- Square
- Sleeping Swan - with option of adding a twist with hands in prayer
- Bananasana
- Reclining Butterfly
- Twist
- Savasana
Hold the poses for 3-5 minutes each, with 1-2 min rebound in between. Enjoy it!!!!
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