Isuini Chinese Medicine Tips
Winter is the most important time to tonify the kidneys and prevent springtime allergies.
Season: Winter
Direction: North
Element/movement: Water
Organ: Kidneys
Tissues: Bones, skin
Orifice: Ears
Climate: Cold
Color: Black/blue
Emotion: Fear/courage
Time: 5-7 pm
The kidneys are the most important organs to take care of as they are “the root of life,” the oceans of the human body and are responsible for storing jing energy.
Depleting them leads to aging, low immunity, weakness and susceptibility to allergies.
Jing (essence) is depleted by excess and prolonged stress, lack of sufficient sleep, and excessive sex, smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
Foods for Winter
Avoid too many raw foods during the winter as these tend to cool the body. During winter you should eat warm foods especially black in color such as black beans, cacao, black sesame, soy sauce and seaweed.
Cook foods at a lower temperature with less water. Eating warm hearty soups (bone broth especially), whole grains, root vegetables and roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core and to keep us nourished.
Sleep early, rest well, wash your hands often and be careful how you expend energy. Keep your kidneys and feet warm and remember to hydrate.
Winter Training
It is good to have an everyday practice that can go deeper than just muscle training to truly cleanse your Qi and blood. Baguazhang is an excellent practice to keep your system and spirit in its highest operation.
About the Practice
Baguazhang is an internal martial art from China that applies Ying Yang philosophy to high level martial movement practice. It harnesses wisdom from Taoist and Buddhist principles dating back to the founder of Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism. Bagua is a powerful tool to combat emotional and body ailments because it teaches how to fight with your spirit.
Live training
I offer group sessions once a week and one on one sessions to accommodate your schedule.