“In 1973, in a small Chinese village named Ma-wang-tui, archaeologists discovered a tomb that held wisdom from the past dating back to 168 B.C.” This knowledge - written on silk and bamboo; bone and tortoise shell, describes and illustrates practical health information still being used today by Oriental Medicine practitioners – over 2000 years later.

Found with these texts prescribing ways to treat specific health problems were charts illustrating gentle gymnastic and breathing exercises called Chi Kung. These easy-to-do movements help soothe existing ailments, while strengthening your body in ways that minimize the chance of a relapse, or of new problems arising.

Information was also found about ancient ways of understanding the world we live in, one that you may have heard of called, “Yin and Yang”, along with the 5 Element Theory – both of which help explain the methods and techniques used in the practice of Oriental Medicine.

The concept of Yin-Yang calls your attention to the need for a sense of balance in your life—and how this balance is already built-in to life itself: You breathe in (yang) ... you breathe out (yin). You get tired and go to sleep (yin) ... you awaken with energy (yang) ... (Read more)

As the dark, cold days of Winter wane, the Water energy of the season drains downward, bringing us back in contact with the Earth energy.

Healthwise, this is a time to start rebuilding the strength of your kidneys, which are somewhat depleted from their Winter work, and preparing for the slow surge into the Wood energy of Spring; a time when the health and vitality of your liver and gallbladder will become the focus of your body’s attention.

Related Links
Staying Healthy in Spring
Spring Health Tips (1)
Spring Health Tips (2)
The Way Through