Happy Year of the Yin Water Rabbit!

Happy Year of the Yin Water Rabbit! I know, I know, Chinese New Year was over a month ago now but I am still pondering it often. After all, according to Chinese astrology, I am a rabbit. Also, my son turned 5 last month on Chinese New Year so I must admit I was more focused on his birthday. I have been slowly learning about what the year of the Yin Water Rabbit year means for us all. It makes sense that some of us might be entering the year a little more slowly because it is a Yin Water year.

What does that mean?

Some qualities of Yin are that it moves slowly, takes its time and the energy moves downward and inward. Yin is female, moves slowly, water, dark in color, and the moon. Yang is the opposite; male, fire, bright in color and moves quickly, the sun. Our culture can be very yang as it's constantly pushing us to do more and focus on external gratification which in the long run can lead to burnout and many other chronic ailments that I see daily in the clinic. Chinese medicine is about the balance of Yin and Yang energy. When you see the Yin-Yang Symbol it isn't mostly white (yang) with a little bit of black (yin), it’s a balance of yin and yang, they support one another.

A Yin Water year invites us to slow down, go inward and reflect. When in balance the Rabbit is very intuitive, discreet, gentle, reflective, and adaptable. The more adaptable we can be this year the more ease we may have.This year is an opportunity for new beginnings and self-reflection. Because it's a Yin year, new beginnings don’t mean we have to travel far and wide, do new things, and meet new people. It's a gentle invitation to reconnect with our core values and to family and friends that nourish us. We can feel renewed by making shifts in our own spaces, kitchen, bedroom, and in our relationships. The Year of the Rabbit allows us to be adaptable, a reset, renewing what happens in our own space; not by critisizing whats happening in our communites or politically, that could leave us feeling stuck. Recognizing what needs to be shifted in our own surroundings and our relationships will help us feel better and collectively create a better society and world. This year allows for more peace and meditation. Let's use this Yin Water Rabbit energy to allow these things into our lives with more ease!

Spring is almost here!
But not yet.

Photo taken from our home in Davenport last week

We have all been experiencing this crazy weather in Santa Cruz. One day feels like spring and the next is a stark reminder that it is still winter. Like most transitions in life, seasonal transitions can also be tricky. The strong fluctuations in temperature can weaken the immune system. Now is the time to remind ourselves that it is still winter and an important time to nourish ourselves, slow down, and be mindful of our energy output. This will help strengthen us so that when Spring is here we are ready to fully embrace it and all of the strong yang energy that comes with it. A simple thing we can do to help our liver in preparation for spring is drink water with lemon in it every morning when you wake up.  Smile into your liver, eat good food, avoid sugar, and drink plenty of water.  I like to keep things simple. Another important action we can take to support the liver is to move….
  
SMOOTH FLOW, MOVEMENT
The Liver is all about the smooth flow of movement--on every level. It is about moving our bodies, moving our minds, shifting things in our lives. The liver is also associated with the eyes, and with the blood in this ancient system. So what can we do to help support healthy liver function?
 
The first thing is to take a look at movement in our lives---the liver DOES NOT LIKE getting stuck. As a matter of fact, FRUSTRATION is a sign that the liver needs some movement. Getting a little more irritable lately? It's time to move your body! Go for a walk, do some stretching, qigong, visit a gym, go to a yoga class, join your friends for a jog. Just MOVE IT. Then...AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! A Happy Liver. Now, I don't mean go out and run a marathon. The Liver is like Goldilocks--it likes the JUST RIGHT amount of movement. Not too much, not too little. Just the right amount. That's different for every body. A good litmus test is to check in and listen to how you feel after you exercise. Do you feel refreshed, a burst of energy, and a calmer, more present feeling? Then you've done the right amount. Do you feel like you could lay down and go to sleep for an hour after a workout? Then you need to back it up, and start slower. Are you more irritable after moving? Slow it down, cut back the time or intensity and find the happy medium of being invigorated but not wiped out after a workout.
One easy and simple thing you can do to open your Liver is to take a brisk walk and really let your arms swing naturally as you walk and then swing them even more vigourously playing with what it feels like to let your arms just swing. Twisting your body also helps open the Liver. Swing your arms and do some twisting to your favorite song! You Liver will love it.
 
Also, if you are interested I am happy to show you some qigong for your Liver the next time you come in.
 
WIND & TIGHT NECK and SHOULDERS
With all the wind whipping around, this is also the season of tight neck and shoulders. (Some of you would ask, isn't that always?). It's especially so right now. To keep tension here at bay, and your body fluid, try this short yoga routine for tight neck and shoulders:
 
Yoga for Tight Neck and Shoulders (10 minutes)
https://youtu.be/X3-gKPNyrTA
 
A few other tight neck and shoulder tips for you here: if it's really windy out, and you get a stiff neck, come home and get your heating pad out. Put it on your neck and shoulders. Then put some good warming oil or an herbal patch on it and gently turn it back and forth, as slowly as you can stand. (I have some herbal patches and warming oil in the clinic if you don't have some at home).  I have taught many of you the qigong exercise Gazing At Your Heels to open your neck up. If I haven't yet, remind me to the next time I see you. Then take an epsom salt bath, then more heat. If THAT doesn't do the trick, call us and get in for some acupuncture. I've seen a bunch of stiff necks in clinic this week, so keep a scarf on when it's windy out to prevent neck pain!
 
If you are feeling a little out of whack, a little run down, a little out of it, a little poor digestion, poor energy, poor focus, tight neck and shoulder-y, come in and get yourself feeling vibrant again!! Here's a link to schedule yourself some Chinese Medicine nourishment:
 
https://patientscim.md-hq.com/registration

Or you can call 831-465-9088. If you don't see an appointment on the day or week you’d like please call and we will do our best to get you in. I would love to see you and help you feel GREAT!
 
FRUSTRATION vs. COMPASSION
Finally, the liver has two emotions associated with it: frustration, as mentioned above, and COMPASSION. When you feel compassion--for yourself, for others, for all human suffering, your liver is functioning well at an emotional level. When in doubt, reach for compassion, for yourself first and foremost, because from that, everything else flows. AKA Lovingkindness. All day. Every Day. Because love is the most powerful medicine of ALL.
 
In deepest gratitude and compassion,
 
Adrianna
 
PS: Thank YOU for your referrals and kind words, I am so thankful to be of service to our community! I am so gratetul to all of my patients. I learn so much from every one of you. I appreciate your sharing this information, and our clinic information with anyone you think would benefit. I LOVE to help people feel better in their bodies and their lives. It's my deal :)