Autumn is in the air and its important to celebrate the changing seasons, externally and internally. Have you noticed that as we move through the seasons that your body and mind are influenced? This is the season of slowing down, we start to find more structure and honour that we need to nourish our bodies and minds, keep warm and embrace the concept of letting go. Autumn leaves fall from the tree at their own pace, and invite yourself to notice, you can do the same. Change is inevitable but letting go doesn't need to be rushed.
Autumn is the season of the Lung Meridian (Yin) and the Large Intestine (Yang) Meridian, it is the element of Metal and helps us to find clarity, courage and relaxation, or trust within the processes of life. The colour is white and when in balance, we can experience acceptance, self-protection, dignity and honest boundaries and fairness.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the lung meridian is vital for regulating the breath, managing emotions, and boosting the immune system. The lungs are considered to be one of the most important yet the most fragile organ because of their close connection to the outside world. It is essential to nurture the lung meridian during the autumn months to enhance overall health and wellness as we begin to notice a dryness within the skin, hair and digestive system. Coughs, colds and asthma may also become more dominant this time of year. Understanding the connection between the lung meridian and autumn is crucial for staying healthy and balanced during this season. By paying attention to our breathing, participating in suitable exercises, and consuming proper nutrition, we can make the most of autumn's energy.
The lung meridian represents a confident, open, and positive outlook on life. When the life principle of the lung meridian is well-developed, we feel connected to the rhythm of life and have a positive view of the future. This brings a supportive breeze and a cheerful disposition.
If there is a disruption here, we may feel a more pessimistic constitution, with over analysing, heavy opinions or a negative mindset. We may feel breathless easily, get overwhelmed by trivial matters, and become overly sensitive, taking things personally.
Here you can find how you can support yourself this time of year, lets slow down and create balance.
YOGA
Poses that open the chest and enhance breathing capacity can be wonderful for the lung meridian line, cobra pose, eagle arms, cow face facilitate energy flow and eliminate blockages in the lung meridian. Puppy pose (Melting heart pose in Yin) and reclined butterfly can also aid in creating more space within the lung meridians. Think about poses that work the arms, lengthen and strengthen. I'll be sharing some lovely lung meridian poses as a separate blog post very soon!
BREATHE
One effective way to help the lung meridian find balance is by engaging in breathing exercises because it helps us to stay connected to our lung health, the nervous system, and emotions. Practicing deep breathing can activate the lung meridian, promoting calmness and balance. If we feel ourselves becoming overwhelmed, upset, anxious we physically make our bodies smaller in means of emotionally protection this will make our breathing capacity smaller, chest and front body muscles tighter, meridian stagnation and will over time become a vicious cycle. This also plays one of the biggest roles of nervous system regulation. Take a slow deep breath in, and out darling!
SADNESS
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the emotion linked to the Lungs is grief or sadness, known as "Beì" (悲). This term can also be interpreted as "sorrow" or "mourning," reflecting a profound sense of loss. Bei 悲 conveys a deep-seated sadness that impacts both the physical and emotional realms. Grief is believed to obstruct the flow of Lung Qi, causing symptoms like breathlessness, chest tightness, fatigue, and melancholy.
SKIN & HAIR
This time of year is the quality of 'dry & cracked' no better way to type it really. Have you noticed dry skin and hair becoming frizzy and brittle? With the climate being dry, fresh and cold it will play its role on the moisture levels within the body. This is a great time to practice Abhyanga, massaging oil into the body. Sesame (NOT TOASTED!) oil rubbed into the soles of the feet can work wonders for replenishing the bodies moisture and plumpness. Cleansing with oil is amazing too, Jojoba oil is closest to our natural sebum production to have a look so into that if you want to experiment. Hair masks and dosing up on extra vitamins and minerals (hello Omegas and healthy fats) can also be beneficial.
PRIME TIME
The lung meridian line is most active between 3-5am, so it may highlight why you are randomly waking up at 3am every morning! Avoid turning bright lights on as it will WAKE the body up more, try meditation, calming music, massaging the lung meridian line (see pic above) or even reading if you need to stay up for a while.
BOUNDARIES
Can we establish healthy boundaries? One thing that is important for our energy in general is to be honest enough to notice when we are feeling depleted, when we are pouring from an empty cup. As the lungs are connected to our skin and how we interact physically and emotionally with the world around us we have to notice where we feel at home, and where we don't. A strong lung meridian thrives on communication and interacting with others. Individuals who can define clear boundaries are comfortable in their own skin. By being able to say “no” to others when needed, they are saying “yes” to themselves. Respecting personal and others' boundaries allows for genuine connections and meaningful interactions.
KEEP WARM
Furthermore, wearing warm attire and avoiding cold drafts and damp environments can aid in supporting the metal element and lung health. Shield yourself from the autumn chill by wearing a scarf that covers your throat and chest and steer clear of humid conditions. Another thing I will shout loud this timeof year through until SUMMER, keep wearing warm socks at all costs!
FOOD
Pungent foods are said to support the lungs. Things like onions, garlic, turmeric, dried ginger, chillies, mustard leaves, cinnamon, and wasabi, not in excess. Pungent foods help stimulate blood circulation and reduce or clear stagnation.
Dried spices/food and slow-cooked meals are more warming.
It is beneficial to have a balance of the five flavours: sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty.
In terms of nutrition, consuming lung-nourishing foods such as pears, apples, pumpkin, and ginger can further support the lung meridian during autumn. These foods are known in Chinese nutrition to strengthen lung energy, providing warmth and nourishment crucial for colder seasons.
Drinking warm water throughout the year can be soothing for the digestive system and helps to balance any upset tummies.
SLOW DOWN
One very important reminder that you will hear me talk about so often is REST, and if you can't rest (I don't want to hear your excuses!) you can at least slow down. Our lives are so busy and with modern life pressures, deadlines and responsibilities it can feel like a never ending cycle that seems to get faster and faster. You can slow down, take each day as it comes, listen closely to conversations, take a day off when you are ill, turn off notifications, cook a nice meal, go for a walk, enjoy a film. Life starts when you begin to fall in alignment with yourself, not when you are caught up in the demands of life.
I hope this post inspires you to take more cafe of yourself, you deserve it!
Allow the essence of autumn to guide you to connect with the lung meridian's energy. Embrace the seasonal changes, focus on your breath, and let this transformative period support your overall well-being and inner harmony.
All my love, V x
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