Dà Xuě: Major Snow

Dà Xuě: Major Snow

大雪 Dà Xuě: Major Snow

December 7th through December 20th marks the time of 大雪 Dà Xuě, or Major Snow, the 21st term in the Ancient Chinese solar calendar and 3rd portion of Winter.  It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 255° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 270°e of 240°.

The temperature drops significantly in Northern China and across the Northern Hemisphere as snowfall increases and dryness ensues. According to the Ancient Chinese, during this period it is especially important to prevent the outbreak of respiratory illnesses by wearing a warm scarf to protect the neck, drinking water, and practicing daily Dao Yin exercises.

Plum blossoms begin to flower in southern China, and sometimes bloom even earlier. This beautiful tree, which originated in China, is revered in Chinese culture for its resilience during severe winters. It is considered one of the Three Friends of Winter along with the pine tree and bamboo.

大 Dà means “big, great or major,” and 雪 Xuě is “snow.” It is said that “A fall of seasonal snow gives promise of a fruitful year.”

 

Winter According to The Ancients

Hot porridge is believed to help warm and nourish the body in cold weather. In China, it is customary to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Major Snow and eight-treasure porridge on the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year. In addition, there are other varieties such as wheat porridge, sesame porridge, radish porridge, walnut porridge and tuckahoe porridge – something for every Body Type!

 

梅花 Plum Blossoms

A Famous Poem from the Song Dynasty:

梅花 Plum Blossoms
By Wang Anshi

“At a wall corner some plum trees grow;
Alone against cold white blossoms blow.
Aloof one knows they aren’t the snow,
As faint through air soft fragrances flow.”

Enjoy the natural landscapes all over China during Major Snow!

May you continue to balance and harmonize yourself as we transition into 大雪 Dà Xuě. Enjoy the beautiful story of Hua Tuo below, and stay warm!

Hua Tuo, The Innkeeper & Two Men

“In the ninth day of the ninth month is the double ninth festival. A group of young men from a rich family were in a bar at an inn to see who could eat the most crabs. The big crabs had much flesh with yellow, delicious oil. All of the young men found that the more they ate, the more delicious the food became. The empty shells on the table were like a small tower.

Hua Tuo brought his apprentices to the inn to have a drink. He saw the group of young men. He thought they were crazy for trying to outdo each other in devouring crabs. Hua Tuo kindly advised them that the crabs were cold in character and that they shouldn’t eat too much.

“Young men you have your match to see who can eat the most crabs. It is not a good thing.”

The young men felt quite unhappy with the words of the old doctor, “We have the food that we buy with our own money. Who cares what you have to say!”

Hua Tuo advised, “If you have too much of the crabs you will get diarrhea. Then maybe risk your lives.”

One young man hastened, “Go, go, go. Don’t come here to frighten other people. We are just eating crabs. It is none of your concern.”

The young man who said these words was drunk. He did not heed the advice of Hua Tuo. The young men continued to eat and drink to their hearts’ content.

One cried out loudly, “Crab is a delicious food. Has anyone heard anything as ridiculous as they can kill people? We are at the limits of our stomach. We just make the old man envious.”

Hua Tuo found that the young men were making much noise, were unreasonable, and would not follow his advice. So he decided to say something to the master of the inn.

“Don’t sell anymore crab to them. The food can endanger human life.”

The innkeeper was more interested in the money of the customers than the words of Hua Tuo.

With an angry tone he snapped, “This matter is none of your business! Don’t meddle in my matters.”

Hua Tuo sighed heavily and sat down to have his own drink. Until midnight, the group of young men kept eating. Suddenly, one fell to the floor and doubled over in abdominal pain. Soon, the others followed. Their pain was so intense that they began to sweat profusely. They were on the floor writhing with pain.
The master of the inn became terribly frightened and dumbfounded.

“What is the matter with you boys?” he asked nervously.

“We have much pain, please ask a doctor to help us.”

“In the depth of night, where can I find a doctor!” the innkeeper cried.

“We entreat you to charitably achieve this good act, if no doctor comes to see us, we may lose our lives!”

By that time Hua Tuo came over and said, “I am a doctor.”

The young people were surprised and their faces turned red with embarrassment. They thought that the old person asked them not to have too many crabs because he was jealous. Now they lose face as they had turned away the words of the old man. Doubled over in pain, they clutched their abdomens with both hands.

They begged Hua Tuo, “Please cure our disease.”

Hua Tuo laughed, “Just now you said you don’t need me to manage your business.”

“Your Excellency, please forget our villainous words,” one young man pleaded.

Another added, “Please good doctor, show your mercy upon us. How much money would you like, it is no problem. We only ask you to save our lives.”

“I don’t need money.”

“If you want anything else, just name it!” the boys replied.

“I only ask you to agree to one thing.”

“One thing, one thousand, ten thousand things, we will do! Please offer your demand quickly!”

“From now on,” Hua Tuo said, “you should accept the advice of older persons. Don’t run wild again.”

“Certainly, certainly, whatever you ask, please save our lives quickly, please!”

Hua Tuo left them to await his return. He went to get his apprentices and sent them to a wild area to collect a purple-colored herb. They harvested the stems and the leaves of the herb and decocted them for the young men. After drinking the decoction, their abdominal pain stopped.

Hua Tuo asked, “How do you feel after drinking the medicine?”

“Much more comfortable,” they replied.

Hua Tuo thought to himself, hmmm, the herb hasn’t a name.  He then said aloud, “After consuming this herb people have a comfortable feeling, so from now one we will call it purple comfortable herb.”

The young people gave thousands and thousands of thanks, said good-bye and left.

Hua Tuo scolded the innkeeper, “How dangerous. From now on, you must pay attention to more than just earning money. You must pay attention to the lives of others!”
The innkeeper solemnly nodded his head again and again.

When Hua Tuo left the inn, the apprentices asked him, “The leaves of the purple herb can expel the poison of crabs? Which book recorded this knowledge?”

Hua Tuo told his apprentices. “None of the ben cao [Chinese herbals] mentions this. I learned it from an animal.”

The story is this: One day I was in the mountains in the south part of the Yangtze River to collect some drugs. I saw a common otter. The otter caught a very big fish, spent a long time eating it, and finally swallowed it. His abdomen was swollen, as full as a drum. Then the otter spent time in the water, and time on the bank, time lying without moving, and time turning from side to side, as if writhing in pain. We can guess that the common otter was very uncomfortable. At last, the otter crept to the bank to a clump of purple plants. The otter ate some leaves of the herb and then laid down for a rest. Unexpectedly, nothing happened. Hua Tuo thought that the fish character belonged to cold and that the purple herb character belonged to warm.

“I thought that the purple herb could expel the fish poison. Since this time I remembered this in my mind,” he told his apprentices with a glint in his eye.”

Story Credit: https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/82/table-of-contents/article3397/

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Xiǎo Xuě : Minor Snow

Xiǎo Xuě : Minor Snow

小雪 Xiǎo Xuě : Minor Snow

November 22nd through December 6th marks the time of 小雪 Xiǎo Xuě, or Minor Snow, the 20th term in the Ancient Chinese solar calendar and 2nd portion of Winter.

The snow begins to fall and the weather becomes cold in many places in Northern China.

Temperatures are dropping in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere. According to the Ancient Chinese, Winter is a time to slow down and turn inwards. Consider self-reflection, quiet time, meditating, and nourishing yourself both physically and spiritually. We always suggest internal martial arts such as Dao Yin exercises.

 

 

Winter According to The Ancients

During Minor Snow the Ancients believed that:

  • 虹藏不見, “Rainbows are concealed from view” – Rainbows are said to be the result of Yin and Yang energies mixing. Winter is dominated by Yin, and therefore rainbows are not present.
  • 天氣上騰地氣下降, “The Qi of the sky ascends, the Qi of the earth descends”
  • 閉塞而成冬, “Closure and stasis create winter” – The Qi retreats into the sky and earth, Yin and Yang, leads to the dormancy of winter. Dormancy and hibernation of animals begin in the natural world.

 

The Rainbow Has Hidden

A Famous Poem from the Tang Dynasty:

The Rainbow has Hidden
by Xu Chang

Minor Snow comes with the winter,
The rainbow hides itself at this season.
The white and pure clouds are formed,
The stars in the sky shine as in summer.
The rainbow is incomparable When birds fly around it, what an auspicious sign.
Now the gully has no more sunshine,
The river in heaven loses its colorful bridge.
The morning rain falls thick and fast
In the evening, the sun is barely seen in the mist.
The weather changes as the solar terms goes,
For the latter has been through a long history.

May you continue to balance and harmonize yourself as we transition into 小雪 Xiǎo Xuě. Stay warm!

 

 

 

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Lì Dōng: The Ancient Chinese Season of Winter

Lì Dōng: The Ancient Chinese Season of Winter

立冬 Lì Dōng: The Ancient Chinese Season of Winter

Nourishing life according to the seasons as they unfold is one of the oldest forms of prevention. Aligning with the seasons leads to balance and harmony, the primary sources of well-being.

“The wise nourish life by flowing with the four seasons and adapting to cold or heat, by harmonizing joy and anger in a tranquil dwelling, by balancing Yin and Yang, and what is hard and soft. So it is that dissolute evil cannot reach the man of wisdom, and he will be witness to a long life.”

– 黃帝內經 Haungdi Neijing Su Wen (≈ 200 B.C.)

Sunday, November 7, 2021 marks the 19th term on the Ancient Chinese Solar Calendar of Li Dong立冬, and the start of the Ancient Chinese Winter.  It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 225° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 240°.

Li means “the beginning,” and Dong is “the end or the collection of everything.” Crops have been harvested and in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere animals have begun to hibernate.

According to the Chinese calendar, winter spans across 6 terms and completes the 24 term cycle:

Lì Dōng 立冬 – Start of Winter: The Earth begins to harden.
Xiǎo Xuě 小雪 – Minor Snow: Snow begins to fall, the weather becomes cold.
Dà Xuě 大雪 – Major Snow: It snows heavily for the first time in the year in certain parts of the planet.
Dōng Zhì 冬至 – Winter Solstice: The daytime is the shortest and the nighttime is the longest of the year.
Xiǎo Hán 小寒 – Minor Cold: The weather rapidly reaches its coldest.
Dà Hán 大寒 – Major Cold: This is the coldest time of the year.

 

Winter According to The Ancients

“The three months of winter are the period in which everything is closed and stored. Water freezes and the earth cracks, so that Yang remains dormant not to be disturbed. It is desirable to sleep early and get up late, to await the arrival of sunlight, so that the will remains dormant as if hiding or pretending, not unlike someone with private intentions, not unlike someone with all his desires already fulfilled. In, winter, one should avoid cold and remain warm and refrain from perspiring so that Yang energy will not be frequently attacked by cold energy.

This is the way of nourishing life in response to the energy of winter. To act to the contrary will cause injuries to the kidneys and one will suffer weakened limbs in spring, because he is bound to be short of energy to cope with the spring. To live against the trends of winter energy will lead to an inability of little Yin to store which brings about a descending of kidneys energy.”

~ 黃帝內經Huangdi Neijing Su Wen

Winter Indications

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter continues the phase of Yin energy as it builds to its climax. It corresponds with the Water element which represents the kidneys, the bladder, and adrenal glands.

It is also a time for introspection. Reduce physical activities to preserve the Qi (energy) required to repair and rejuvenate during this hibernation period of securing and storing.

This is the time to stay still, calm, be at peace and at rest.

The Water element is associated with the ear and bones, the emotion fear, the color blue, and the sound of crying. Likewise, the climate is cold and the taste is salty.

 

Kidney Qi Deficiency

One of the common symptoms associated with this season is Kidney Qi deficiency which is usually expressed by lack of energy, fatigue, pale face, impotence and infertility.

The 黃帝內經Huangdi Neijing Su Wen, Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic connects the natural progression of human life (growth, development, reproduction and aging) and changes in bone conditions, controlled by the Kidney Essence. Therefore, it is important to nurture your kidney energy so that the bones are nourished during this time of year.

Focusing on storing pure energy and making sure the cold does not enter and reside in your body will help prevent disease in spring.  Avoid excessive fear and resistance to change.

“This is the way of nourishing life in response to the energy
of winter. To act to the contrary will cause injuries to the kidneys and one will suffer weakened limbs in spring, because he is bound to be short of energy to cope with the spring.”

~黃帝內經Huangdi Neijing Su Wen

The following tips will assist you with maintaining your well-being during winter months and preparing for spring:

  1. Expose your body to the right type of sunlight at the appropriate time of day for just 10-15 minutes a day. (see our article on Your Body’s Dance with the Sun)
  2. Spend 10-15 minutes per day outside absorbing fresh oxygen.
  3. Drink Water!
  4. Daoyin and the Way of Softness & Harmonizing Your Training – Such breathing methods require a minimal amount of movement to achieve maximum results leading to internal peace and a calm emotional state.

 

Yíngyǎng (营养) Nutritional Corner – Ancient Chinese Winter

It is recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine to eat warming foods and cooked foods during the Winter months.  Avoid raw and cold foods as well as foods and spices that generate extensive heat.

ALL Body Types may try fruits such as Chia, Flax, Hemp, and Sesame Seeds.

If you are a Yang Body Type, consider adding more of the following fruits to your diet:

  • Almonds
  • Brazil Nuts
  • Cacao
  • Cashews
  • Chestnuts
  • Pecans
  • Macadamia Nut
  • Pili Nut
  • Pine Nuts
  • Pistacios
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Walnuts

If you are a Yin Body Type, consider adding more of the following fruits to your diet:

  • Hazelnuts
  • Peanuts
  • Pumpkin Seeds
  • Soy Nuts
  • Squash Seeds
  • Tiger Nuts
  • Watermelon Seeds

 

A Note From Jiao Shi

As we transition into the 6 terms of Winter, it is important to protect yourself from the wind and to keep your body warm.  It is also a time for introspection, meditation, writing, and inward practices that connect us to our true selves.

Be calm, peaceful, and be sure to take some quiet time to yourself.

May you enjoy the Winter Season and stay warm!

Jiao Shi

 

 

 

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Your Body’s Dance with The Sun

Your Body’s Dance with The Sun

Did you know that 90% of the human body’s Energetic Function is provided by three main sources? If you are thinking that the hamburger or fresh organic salad you downed last night is one of them, you would be incorrect. In the West it is common to put food above all else where energy is concerned. In reality, it only makes up less than 10% of your body’s entire energetic matrix.

So where does the other 90% come from? Great question, and that is what we will be discussing in our next series here.

The first of these energies we will be focusing on is SUNLIGHT.

“No matter how tall the mountain, it cannot block out the sun.”

Chinese Proverb

Sunlight According to The Ancients

In the Western paradigm there are arteries, veins, nerves and lymphatic tissue. In the Ancient Chinese anatomy they described 經絡 jīngluò, or rivers and connections, known today as meridians or the primo vascular system.

The meridian system in our bodies reacts to the energy of sunlight just like everything else. The Yang Ming group of meridians which passes through the stomach organ and the large intestine organ literally translates into the “sunlight meridian.”

In ancient understanding, the digestive system was regulated by sunlight which facilitated the body’s digestive process. They believed that when something comes in contact with the sun whether it is viruses, bacteria, fungi, and even food or drink for a long period of time, it begins to break down.

“While the sun is shining, bask in it”

African Proverb

Your Body’s Dance with The Violet Star

SUN: A star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system; this luminous body is a celestial body that the Earth and other planets revolve around.

Now, because the Earth and other planets revolve around it, they are in constant communication and have a reaction with the sun.

Next, the sun is not red, yellow or bright white. It is VIOLET, thus ultraviolet rays.  Although sunlight is comprised of UVA, UVB , UVC and other types of ultraviolet light, it is the human body’s response to it that is key here.

The auto immune system begins to kick in and the body responds with a mineralized protective coating of copper and carbon, namely melanin when it comes into contact with the sun.  In addition to that, various hormones are being manufactured and transformed, like D-3, Serotonin, Melatonin, Dopamine, etc., as well as a myriad of other processes all from contact with the sun.

When Is Sunlight Safe?

The safest times for sun exposure are from sunrise to 1 hour after sunrise, and 1 hour before sunset to sunset. Ten to fifteen minutes per day is all that you need for your body to begin manufacturing the carbon and copper (IE: Melanin) that it needs to function. Even just having an arm or a leg in a sunbeam for that amount of time is sufficient.  Once that routine is completed, your body will be manufacturing its own SPF (IE: Melanin) to protect itself during the harsher periods of the day.

The nutrition we receive from our interaction with the sun supports 10-15% of our energetic production. Our body is manufacturing its own melonin, carbon and copper, producing different types of hormones, strengthening its bone system and aiding in its ability to fight off all kinds of different conditions.

And there you have it! A simple explanation of your body’s dance with the sun. For a more in depth dive into sunlight, be sure to sign up for our Navigating Nutrition with The Body Type System Course below.

Until then, get yourself some sun my friends, and enjoy the journey!

Jiao Shi

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Harmonizing Your Training with the Body Type System™ Part 3

Harmonizing Your Training with the Body Type System™ Part 3

Welcome back again!  Today we will finish up the third and final section to Harmonizing Your Training™ with the Body Type System™.  We will touch on a few final tips from Jiao Shi, and leave you with some reflections from 老子 Lao Tzu.

Maintain Your Course

Maintain your COURSE which is a natural flow to your destination. Your destination is based on the goals you have set. Head for the light at the end of the tunnel – or the sound that will lead you out of a dark cave.

Step by step, let nature take its course. Your body knows the way like a trained horse who knows its way home. You are the rider who is steering it in the direction you want to proceed.

“Who can make the muddy water clear? Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear. Who can secure the condition of rest? Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise.”
-老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng, Chapter 15

The Benefits of Stillness

STILLNESS provides many different benefits to the body’s ability to manifest longevity. Take a look at the Sequoia Trees in the Western U.S. Even though these trees seem completely still they are in steady constant motion.

When you are doing the Harmonizing Your Training™ exercises, remember to begin in STILLNESS and end in STILLNESS. You will be surprised how your body switches from the Yang phase (Sympathetic) to the Yin Phase (Parasympathetic).
It is in the Yin phase when body rests, refines, and restores itself – even while you are conscious. This is why many of these ancient exercises are known as moving meditation.

“The state of vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigor.  All things alike go through their processes of activity, and we see them return to their original state. Then things have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them return to its root. This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness; and that stillness may be called a reporting that they have fulfilled their appointed end.”

-老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng, Chapter 16

Be Aware

To be AWARE of something means that you are acknowledging that an event occurred. Examples are respiration, your heart beat, your eyes blinking, etc. To be obsessive means that you are checking your pulse rate, and you are constantly looking at yourself for different types of problems that don’t exist in reality. You have to learn the difference between false AWARENESS, and true AWARENESS.

“Everything relies upon The Dao for their existence, and it does not fail them. It acquires merit but covets not the title. It lovingly nourishes everything, but does not claim the rights of ownership. It has no desires, it can be classed with the small. Everything returns to it, yet it does not claim the right of ownership. It can be classed with the great.  Therefore the wise man to the end will not pose as a great man, and by so doing will express his true greatness.”

-老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng, Chapter 34

Allow Your Body to Be

After you finish your Harmonizing Your Training™ routine, do not focus on any given results. ALLOW your body to restore its function and be amazed.

“Heaven and Earth unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.”

-老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng, Chapter 32

 

Final Reflections on Harmonizing Your Training with the Body Type System™

Allow yourself to flow naturally to your destination with stillness to manifest longevity.  Be aware of the changes in your body without being obsessive, and ALLOW your body to be restored back to harmony and its original function.  REMEMBER, the keys to healing and restoration are already within you.

As the great Terry Lewis says from Jam & Lewis,

“You ARE great, just go be it!”

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Qiū Fēn: The Golden Autumn Equinox

Qiū Fēn: Autumnal Equinox

秋分 Qiū Fēn

皓月闪烁,星光闪耀,中秋佳节,美满快乐!

A bright moon and stars twinkle and shine. Wishing you a merry Mid-Autumn Festival, bliss, and happiness.

September 22nd of this year marks the 16th solar term of 秋分 Qiū Fēn on the Ancient Chinese Calendar, known as the Autumn Equinox in the West.  It arrives when the celestial longitude is 180 degrees.  Qiu Fen is a time for all living things to prepare their shelters for the chilly winter nights to come.  Have you noticed a change in the temperature ? The weather turns towards cool and dry in this portion of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.  “Thunders begin to soften, insects start making nests and water begins to dry up,” according to Ancient Chinese wisdom.

It is the time when the night and day are equal in length, and the Yin Qi and Yang Qi are in balance.   This means that the heat and cold are also balanced.

“阵秋雨一阵寒 Yízhèn qiūyǔ yízhèn hán Each autumn rain makes it colder”
-Ancient Chinese Proverb

祭月节Jìyuè Jiéven is the ancient moon festival which happens at the time of Autumn Equinox.  During this time 20-30 Tang Yuan (rice dumplings) were offered at the edge of fields to protect the crops from sparrows.  Today people spend time with their families and loved ones and enjoy eating infamous mooncakes🥮!

 

“The three months of Autumn are the season for harvest.
It is getting cooler and the wind is blowing stronger.
The Qi of earth is clear and everything is changing color.
Go to sleep when it is dark and get up at dawn, just like the rooster.
Keep calm and relaxed and keep your vital energy in good balance.
It will help you resist the adverse influence of the cold autumn air.
That is the way to adapt to autumn and nurture the harvesting Qi.
Violating it will result in injury to the lungs.”

黃帝內經 Huangdi Neijing Su Wen

 

Autumn Indications

Harmonize with the autumn season so that you do not suffer dis-ease during the winter. As we discussed in our previous blog Lì Qiū: The Ancient Chinese Autumn, Autumn begins the phase of Yin energy coming off of the Yang energy of Summer. It corresponds with the Metal element which represents the lungs, the large intestine and the skin organs.

The Metal element is also associated with the nose, the emotions of courage and sadness, the color white, the sound of weeping, and the white tiger. It correlates with the direction of West, which is the direction of dreams and visions. Likewise, the climate is dry, the season is ripening and ready for harvest, and the taste is pungent.

Focus on your breathing, fresh air, and meditation.  Be open to new ideas while protecting your boundaries and limits.  Embrace yourself and let go of the things that no longer serve you.  秋分 Qiu Fen is a time for clarity, productivity, and discipline.

The wind begins to blow more freely during 秋分 Qiū Fēn which can bring pestilence through the skin to the lungs.  Be sure to cover your neck and skin during this time to protect your Zheng Qi.

It is also important to stay hydrated as autumn is a time of dryness.  In Chinese Medicine we often see people with dry and itchy skin, dry cough, sore throats, and constipation during 秋分 Qiū Fēn.  You can  avoid all of this by drinking enough water daily and doing your Dao Yin exercises to harmonize with each day!

 

Yíngyǎng (营养) Nutritional Corner – 秋分 Qiu Fen: Ancient Chinese Autumn

It is recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine to transition from cold and uncooked foods to more warm and cooked foods during the autumn months.

If you are a Yang Body Type, consider adding more of the following fruits to your diet:

  • Pomelo
  • Loquat
  • Kumquat
  • Star Fruit
  • Apples
  • Plums
  • Olives
  • Grapefruit

If you are a Yin Body Type, consider adding more of the following fruits to your diet:

  • Pumpkin
  • Red Kidney Beans
  • Grapes
  • Bell Pepper
  • Butternut Squash
  • Acorn Squash
  • Pineapple

 

A Note From Jiao Shi


As we transition from the time of bái lù 白露 (White Dew) into qiū fēn 秋分 (Autumn Equinox), the days and nights are cooler. It is important to protect yourself from the wind and make sure that you hydrate with the fruits that were covered in the last few episodes of Jammin’ with Jiao Shi.

Focus on embracing yourself and staying centered, calm, and peaceful.  May you continue to balance and harmonize yourself as we transition into the autumn equinox.

Jiao Shi

 

 

 

 

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Harmonizing Your Training™ Part 2

Harmonizing Your Training™ Part 2

Welcome back! For those of you who already practice Harmonizing Your Training™, part 2 is for you!  Stay focused and restore function with a few simple and effective tips from Jiao Shi. Let’s get started!

“How do I know the way of all things at the Beginning? By what is within me.”

老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng

 

Super Charge

Super-Charge your training by adhering to an old Daoist principle called 无为 wuwei: in other words, ‘do without doing’.  In addition, begin practicing N-O-S as well.

N – Natural Body Movement
O – Original – or going back to your original way without stress, without form, without any type of preconceived notion.
S – Simplicity – the simpler the movements, the more profound.

When the body goes into its Yin phase it will open the gate of wonders, and just maybe it will reveal to you some of its hidden secrets.

“The Dao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not do.  If princes and kings were able to maintain it, all things would of themselves be transformed by them. If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity.  Simplicity without a name is free from all external aim.  With no desire, at rest and still.  All things go right as of their will.”

老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng, Chapter 37

 

Stay Focused

After that, stay FOCUSed. Avoid chasing butterflies and grabbing tigers by their tails. With symptoms and manifestations moving in various different directions, it can be very confusing on how to clearly define the root of the problem. Start at your origin point, which is your navel (belly button).  If you maintain your focus at your navel during the beginning of your practice and at the end, your body will have the desired results that you are seeking.

“The thing that is well planted is not easily uprooted. The thing that is well guarded is not easily taken away.”

老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng, Chapter 54

 

Set Realistic Goals

Lastly, set realistic GOALS and remember to re-evaluate yourself at different intervals throughout the year to make sure you are on track towards your original destination.

“Continuing to fill a pail after it is full the water will be wasted. Continuing to grind an axe after it is sharp will soon wear it away.”

老子 Lao Tzu, 道德經 Dàodé Jīng, Chapter 9

 

If you have not yet started the Harmonizing Your Training journey, head over to the learning center today!

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And join us for Jammin’ with Jiao Shi, every Saturday at 4:00pm ET for ALL, 4:45pm ET for TypeMe Community Members, and 5:30pm ET on Clubhouse @ohoseminars. See you there!

Harmonizing Your Training with the Body Type System™ Part 1

Harmonizing Your Training

Harmonizing Your Training

Harmonizing Your Training with The Body Type System™ is a set of movements developed by Jiao Shi that focuses on the energetic pattern of each particular Body Type, involving warming up and cooling down phases. They will help you understand and discover what exercise regime is most beneficial for you Body Type™.

Mastering these movements allows the practitioner to reset their body and take charge of their own health. They reinforce and motivate the spark within you. Don’t let these elusively simple exercises fool you, they are working on harmonizing the body from within.

What does this mean? They are NOT Western style exercises. Much like Dao Yin, the work is done inside of the body to enhance healing, wellbeing, and longevity with coordinated breathing techniques and specific body movements.

 

“The natural course of things is always followed. This prevents one from harming their post-heaven strength. Focus is on beneficial cultivation of one’s natural life force as the core of training. All people – men, women, the old, and the young – may practice in order to replace temerity with bravery; and stiffness with pliability. Those of you who are weak, who suffer from fatigue and injury or illness, or who have weakened your qi from the practice of other martial arts to the point that you no longer have the strength to train, all of you may practice 太極拳. With practice, the qi will quickly return to a balanced state and will become strong, while the spirit naturally returns to a state of wholeness. Disease will be eliminated and the length of life increased.”

-Sun Lu-Tang

 

What Do These Simple Exercises ACTUALLY Do?

In Ancient China, Daoyin originated through Chinese Daoism. Moreover it is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine today, along with many other modalities such as acupuncture, an mo, herbology, qigong and more. The concept, as always, is to treat the origin of disease in the ENTIRE body by returning you back to your original function. This includes the physical body both internally and externally, the mind, emotions, and spirit.

These breathing methods require a minimal amount of movement to achieve maximum results leading to internal peace and a calm emotional state. As a result they also restore the qi running uninhibited through your body.  Consider the turtle – a slow moving animal who lives 400+ years.  There is even a special style of Wudang Qigong called the Turtle Form 龟形 (demonstrated by Master Chen Shiyu below).

 

 

Lastly, the keys to healing and restoration are already in you – waiting for permission to be released. Bring balance to your body through coordinated breathing exercises specifically developed for your Body Type™.

Ready to learn more?  Stay tuned for Part 2, and read a few testimonials from some of our clients who have been practicing Harmonizing Your Training™ below!

Interesting Fact!

From the very beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, physicians and patients in China have been using Tai Ji Quan/Qigong to help boost their Zheng Qi.  Other countries, such as Russia, have also followed these protocols to help protect themselves and heal their patients and have seen great success.

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And join us for Jammin’ with Jiao Shi, every Saturday at 4:00pm ET for ALL,
4:45pm ET for TypeMe Community Members, and 5:30pm ET on Clubhouse @ohoseminars. See you there!

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Lì Qiū: The Ancient Chinese Autumn

Lì Qiū

Preparing for each season is one of the oldest forms of preventative medicine, and once they have arrived, well-being and inner peace come from harmonizing with them.  The 13th term in the Ancient Chinese Solar Calendar begins on Saturday, August 7, 2021. Lì Qiū 立秋, marks the end of the solar term Major Heat and the beginning of autumn.

It does not however mean that the hot weather is finished with us. In fact, the next 30 day period of hot days are referred to as the “Autumn Tiger” and are typically more sweltering than those in Major Heat.

While according to Chinese records this time is said to have extreme heat, it also means that the harvest season approaches, and for this we can be grateful. Let us look at the meaning of Lì Qiū:

立 Lì : Begins or Commences
秋 qiu: autumn; consists of two parts, he (禾, rice) and huo (火, fire) – the ripening of rice.

 

Lì Qiū (Autumn) According to the Ancients

“Go to bed early and get up with the chickens. This will cause all mental faculties to become calm and peaceful, and moderate the downward blow of autumn. Reel in your mental energy to be in harmony with the condensing quality of autumn Qi. Do not disperse your energies, and the lung Qi will be clear. This is the way of nourishing life in accordance with the nourishing and constricting Qi of the autumnal harvest season. Going against these principles will harm the lung network, eventually causing diarrhea in winter, when things should really be in a state of storage rather than leakage. The Qi of Autumn is dry, and so it is advisable to consume some moistening sesame to counteract the dryness. Avoid cold drinks, and do not wear damp and cold clothing close to your skin.”

黃帝內經 Haungdi Neijing Su Wen

“This is the changing or pivoting point when the yang, or active, phase turns into its opposite, the yin, or passive, phase. Just as the weather in autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. It is therefore important to remain calm and peaceful, refraining from depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly. This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, be more focused, and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the lung energy free, full, clean, and quiet. This means practicing breathing exercises to enhance lung Qi. Also, one should refrain from smoking and grief, the emotion of lung. This will prevent the kidney or digestive problems in the winter. If this natural order is violated, damage will occur to the lungs, resulting in diarrhea with undigested food in the winter. This compromises the body’s ability to store in winter.”

黃帝內經 Haungdi Neijing Su Wen

Lì Qiū (Autumn) Indications

In Ancient Chinese Medicine, autumn starts the phase of Yin energy.  It corresponds with the Metal element which represents the lungs, the large intestine and the skin organs.

During this time, slowing down, focusing on what we have accomplished and unburdening ourselves by letting go of that which no longer serves us is recommended. Just like processes are happening in nature, we should also begin our gradual transition from the expansive growth of spring and summer to the introspective expression of fall and winter.

The Metal element is associated with the nose, the emotions of courage and sadness, the color white, and the sound of weeping. Likewise, the climate is dry, the season is ripening and ready for harvest, and the taste is pungent.

According to Ancient Chinese Medicine, autumn and winter are for the nourishment of the Yin Qi. Focus on self-nurturing and maintain your inner peace.

Common symptoms associated with lung and large intestine imbalances are respiratory issues, sinus infections, as well as, constipation, and dry skin problems. Now is the prime time to put prevention in high gear and focus on boosting your Zheng Qi as well as safe guarding your emotional wellness!

Make sure you step outside and breathe in the fresh air as well as get your daily sunlight during the SAFE hours of the day. Remember that the moment your body feels thirst, it has already entered into a dehydration stage. Prevent that from happening by drinking water.

“Remember, you are basically a houseplant with complicated emotions.”

Strengthen and enhance your overall endurance with coordinated breathing and Dao Yin principle based exercises from ancient times. Breathe!

And remember, sleep allows your body time to repair and heal.

Yíngyǎng (营养) Nutritional Corner – The Ancient Chinese Autumn

It is recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine to transition from cold and uncooked foods to more warm and cooked foods during the autumn months.

If you are a Yang Body Type, consider adding more of the following fruits to your diet:

 

  • Pomelo
  • Loquat
  • Kumquat
  • Star Fruit
  • Apples
  • Plums
  • Olives
  • Grapefruit

If you are a Yin Body Type, consider adding more of the following fruits to your diet:

 

  • Pumpkin
  • Red Kidney Beans
  • Grapes
  • Bell Pepper
  • Butternut Squash
  • Acorn Squash
  • Pineapple

A Note From Jiao Shi

As we transition from the time of dà shǔ 大暑 (Major Heat) into the qiū fēn 秋分 (Autumn Equinox), the days will still get hotter and hotter. It is very important to protect yourself from the increasing heat and make sure that you hydrate with the fruits that were covered in the last few episodes of Jammin’ with Jiao Shi.

These cycles have been ebbing and flowing for the last 6,000 years, so this being the hottest point of the year is nothing new. May you continue to balance and harmonize yourself as we transition from late summer to autumn.

Jiao Shi

 

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Daoyin and The Way of Softness

Daoyin
L0036007 Daoyin tu – chart for leading and guiding people in exercise

Daoyin Tu and the Ma Wang Dui Tomb

In 1973 archaeologists uncovered Daoyin Tu at the Ma Wang Dui tomb in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. Daoyin Tu is a chart demonstrating 44 postures and movements which lead and guide people in exercises developed to prevent illness, boost immunity, cure diseases and treat pain. Under each movement lies the name of the disease that the posture can help cure. The document was buried in the tomb in 168 BC, proving that the ancients were practicing energy and breathing exercises thousands of years ago.

 

qigong_taiji_meditation
The Daoyin Tu; a painting on silk depicting the practice of Daoyin; unearthed in 1973 in Hunan Province, China, from the 168 BC Western Han burial site of Mawangdui, Tomb Number 3.

Daoyin principles and coordinated breathing are practiced to maintain health, fight disease, and enhance the quality of life since times of antiquity and are an integral part of the Chinese culture.

Let’s take a look at what Daoyin actually means:

Dao Qi Ling He: Circulate Qi for Internal Harmony

Yin Ti Ling Rou: to Exercise and Soften the Body

 

Breathing in and out, exhaling and inhaling, they get rid of the old to absorb the new. They swing like bears and stretch like birds – all this they do in order to have long life. They are Daoyin disciples, people who nourish their form seeking for longevity like Pengzu.

莊子 Zhuangzi

 

 

Hua Tuo and the Five Animals Play

Over two thousand years ago during the late Eastern Han Dynasty the legendary physician 華佗 Hua Tuo (110-208 AD) developed the Five Animals Play 氣功 Qigong exercise sequence for clearing the mind and eyes, boosting the cardio-pulmonary functions, strengthening the waist and kidneys and smoothing the joints.

The story goes that one day 華佗 Hua Tuo noticed a child grabbing a door latch and swinging it over and over again. While observing how the door hinge continued to spin without stopping, 華佗 Hua Tuo realized that the repetitive action prevented the wood from developing wormholes. He further confirmed that most diseases were caused by Qi-Blood inhibition and stasis.

So, just like the latch, if a human body keeps moving and the Qi-Blood flows smoothly, health is nurtured and diseases do not occur easily.

華佗 Hua Tuo devoted much of his time to observing animals and finding the most effective way for the human body to exercise. Later in his life he developed a set of movement patterns that mimicked a tiger’s attack, a deer running, an ape jumping, a bear while walking, and a crane while spreading its wings. 華佗 Hua Tuo made sure that the exercises were easy to learn and practice. It did not matter the age or gender; anyone was capable of practicing the simple movements.

History of the Later Han

華佗 Hua Tuo wrote in The History of the Later Han:

 

“Man’s body must have exercise, but it should never be done to the point of exhaustion. By moving about briskly, digestion is improved, the blood vessels are opened, and illnesses are prevented. It is like a used doorstep which never rots. As far as Dao Yin is concerned, … it eliminates sickness, benefits the legs, … . If you feel out of sorts, just practice one of my frolics. A gentle sweat will exude, the complexion will become rosy; the body will feel light and you will want to eat.”

華佗 Hua Tuo

Consequently, f

or almost two thousand years variations of the exercises developed by Hua Tuo have been practiced in Daoist Temples for health and meditation as well as warm up and cool down exercises before and after monks train in hard style martial arts.

Martial Arts Masters as well as physicians throughout China have traditionally prescribed Dao Yin exercises to help prevent or heal injuries, improve health, and cure various illnesses alongside other methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 

Interesting Fact!

In 2020 太極拳 taijiquan, known as Tai Chi or Taiji in the West, was placed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list by UNESCO, describing it as a traditional physical practice characterized by relaxed, circular movements that work in concert with breath regulation and the cultivation of a righteous and neutral mind.

 

Daoyin: An Incredible History

In the past five thousand years, variations of breathing and energy exercises have been practiced by millions of people all around the world and have been shown to improve health, increase energy, revitalize the body and mind, prevent or control disease, tone the internal organs, improve balance, reduce stress, boost the immune system, remove toxins, tone the muscles and tendons, uplift mood, contribute to longevity, increase lung capacity, encourage deep breathing, help with relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety and build strength, flexibility, mobility, coordination and balance.

 

“Medicine is not as good as food. Food is not as good as Qi.”

Ancient Chinese Proverb

Testimonials

Join us for Ancient Dao Yin Practices with Jiao Shi in our Morning Workout Class every weekday at 7:30am ET to benefit and learn from this incredible legacy!

“First of all..I love the morning workouts! Jiao Shi reminds me of the endearing Mr. Rogers. I bow to his kindness, gentle strength and positive attitude and wisdom. It is refreshing and super great way to start the day. -J.R. OR Amazing, awesome I feel great!!! Grateful for the replays! Love Teacher!!! Best investment for my temple!!! I bow!!!!!!” – J.R.

 

“Beautiful spark for enhancing my body. Have a great day!” – L.J.

 

“OMG WHAtttt the ……. I just did one of the older classes I feel like a million bucks…WOW I just did the class from today; I didn’t realize I was seeing in a fog until I did today’s” – S.R.

 

“It is so interesting to pay attention to how I am affected since starting this class. I am calmer more often. I am more ME. Things literally flow differently….more harmoniously.” –N.F.