Winter Solstice 2024

 The Winter Solstice December 21, 2024

Tomorrow, December 21st, marks one of the most powerful and transformative days of the year. It’s the perfect time to align your heart and mind, and connect deeply with the energy of the season. 

To truly understand the significance of the solstice, we must first recognize the balance of Yin and Yang—the two fundamental energies that shape everything in the universe. These energies are in a constant dance, always shifting, growing, and transforming. Twice a year, we experience their peak and deepest shift—tomorrow is one of those days!

 In the Northern Hemisphere, we celebrate the Winter Solstice, when Yin energy is at its peak. It's a time for stillness, reflection, and nurturing the deep wisdom that comes with this quiet energy. Embrace the calm, protect your energy, and connect with the quiet power of Yin.

 In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the Summer Solstice, when Yang energy is strongest. It's a time for active celebration—get outside, enjoy the warmth, and let the vitality of the sun fill you with joy and energy!

No matter where you are, tomorrow is a perfect time to protect your energy and honor the balance of Yin and Yang. Here's how you can make the most of this powerful transition:

 Nurture Your Energy

Eat or drink something hot and sweet; Making something hot and sweet for yourself can be very nurturing for your system and very helpful in getting your energy grounded. (Hello, Hot Chocolate!)

Chinese medicine says that December 21, if you can eat or drink something sweet and hot it will help you get through the months of winter energy dominance much better, with fewer colds or other winter illnesses. Chinese medicine also advises you not to drink too many cold things this time of year and to keep your body warm. 

Keep your feet and Head Warm; When you go outside keep your feet and head warm for the protection of the vitality of your body so that when spring comes your health is much better.

Meditate; Especially on the 21st if you can, do lots of meditation. Since yin and yang are each at opposite points this day it is a great time to meditate. This is a very powerful switching point so when you do a meditation on this day you help yourself get more energy and balance your energy quicker.

Limit Excessive Exercise Activity; The yang energy is very weak on this day. It is like a teeny baby just ready to be born. It is weak so you need to protect it. On this day, do not do a lot of exercise and get sweaty. This over activates your yang, which is much too delicate and weak now. Stick to slow and relaxed forms of exercise, such as yin flow yoga or Qigong. 

Stay away from Spicy Foods; Spicy foods can over activate your yang energy, which is much too delicate and weak right now. 

In fact, in China on that day, qigong masters, tai chi masters, martial arts masters and others who are greatly knowledgeable and paying great attention to longevity don’t do anything on that day. They simply stay home and have something warm to relax, celebrate the day and be happy.

Of course, not everyone can do this. Not everyone even knows this. Not even every master knows it but people who do are very careful to honor and protect their yang energy on this day. By doing so they help the yang energy to grow and help the body to balance.

Many Blessings, 

Chunyi Lin and Tom Pasley

YaoGong Qigong Practice

                                                            MASTER ZHONGXIAN WU

YaoGong 藥功 Qigong Practice:

Your body is like a musical instrument that is made of the Five Qi-strings. Practicing a Qigong form is like playing a song with your body-instrument.

In my tradition, we always start our practice by tuning the Five Qi-strings – our  body’s “tuning keys” – our Five Qi-needles.

The Practice

Stand with your feet together and imagine you are a new sprout, springing forth from the ground.

Relax your eyelids to bring your eyesight within.

Look within.

Listen within.

Tuning the Fire Qi-string:  Straighten your neck and head as though you are being pulled up towards heaven by the hairs on top of your head. The hair on top of your head is your Fire Qi-needle.

Tuning the Earth Qi-string: Lift the Earth Qi-needle, the tip of your tongue, and gently touch it to the tooth ridge behind your upper teeth.
 

Tuning the Metal Qi-string: Tuck in your lower belly and lift your perineum, the Metal Qi-needle. 
 

Tuning the Water Qi-string: Keep your teeth together, the Water Qi-needle,  and keep your mouth closed.

Tuning the Wood Qi-string: The Wood Qi-needle includes all the nails of your toes and fingertips. Grab the floor with all of your toes while allowing your harms to hang down naturally, with your palms open and fingers straight. Feel your fingertips penetrating into the center of the earth.

Next, please turn your arms slowly about 180 degrees. Raise your hands from both sides till your arms form a V-shape, like lotus petals.  

With your palms facing each other, feel your fingertips touching heaven.

Imagine you are a new sprout growing into a giant tree. Hold this posture as long as you can.

Focus on your breath.

When you can not hold the position any longer, gradually bring your hands down to the front of your belly. Your palms are facing your belly, your thumbs and index fingers gently touching.

Hold this posture for a few minutes and continue looking and listening within.

Observe your breath through your heart.   

Balance Liver Energy by Strengthening Lung Energy in Springtime Master Chunyi Lin

As April unfolds, the dominance of spring energy heralds a period of renewal and vitality. Following the hibernation of winter, plants and trees awaken, bursting with life and energy.

This season exudes happiness and excitement, offering us an opportunity to embrace new beginnings.

Spending time in Nature

To fully harness the rejuvenating energy of this season, immerse yourself in nature. Step outside and breathe in the fresh, invigorating air released from the awakening ground. Spending time outdoors with loved ones amplifies the benefits, fostering connections and shared experiences amidst the vibrant backdrop of spring's renewal.

Moreover, as trees and plants awaken, they emit an abundance of pure, positive healing energy. It's essential to immerse ourselves in this spring energy to absorb its healing essence fully, fostering harmony and alignment with nature.

Engaging in outdoor activities and exercise allows us to maximize the benefits, promoting overall well- being, particularly beneficial for the liver.

The Healing Color: Green

Surrounded by lush greenery, especially in spring, offers profound healing benefits. The abundant green color, characteristic of this season, exerts a soothing influence, particularly supportive for liver health. Since liver energy manifests in the eyes, absorbing green hues from nature nurtures and rejuvenates this vital organ, contributing to overall well-being.

Grounding: Walking Barefoot (only if it's warm enough)

When possible, take a moment to walk barefoot outdoors, provided the weather permits. Alternatively, if it's still chilly outside, opt for indoor barefoot walks, ensuring a warm environment.

Ordinarily, the soles of your shoes act as a barrier between your energy and the earth, which can be advantageous. However, during this time of year, the earth's energy intensifies, emanating palpable sensations from the ground. The most effective way to connect with this energy is by walking barefoot, though it's essential to ensure warmth to avoid discomfort. If the weather isn't conducive, it's best to wait until conditions improve.

Strengthening the Lung Energy to Balance Liver Energy

During this period, Spring Energy is on the rise, marking the peak of liver energy's strength. As liver energy, associated with the wood element, tends to dominate, maintaining equilibrium becomes paramount. Increased coughing in spring is often attributed to the overpowering nature of liver energy.

While the lungs, governed by metal energy, attempt to regulate it, they may lack the necessary strength, particularly during spring.

To restore balance to the liver energy, it's imperative to fortify lung energy.

That’s another reason why you need to get outside and breathe, deeply, gently, slowly, as often as you can.

We can strengthen the Lung Energy by...

Get outside in nature, be active and sweat.

Regardless of whether you're indoors or outdoors, it's crucial to engage in exercise until you break a sweat. Sweating plays a pivotal role in strengthening lung energy, essential for balancing the overwhelming liver/wood energy.

Sweating facilitates detoxification by expelling toxins through the skin, reinforcing lung vitality as the skin is intricately connected to the respiratory system. Both exercise and sweating contribute significantly to bolstering lung energy. Therefore, strive to work up a sweat daily to support lung function.

While spending time in a steam room or sauna can offer benefits, exercising until you perspire is the most effective method. Make it a daily goal to break a sweat to uphold your overall well-being.

As you immerse yourself in the revitalizing energy of spring through walking, playing, and exercising, remember to always wear a smile on your face. Allow your love to blossom and extend to others and everything around you, including our beloved Mother Earth. While spreading love is essential in every season, it holds particular significance during spring's rejuvenating embrace.

*** For those residing in northern regions like Minnesota, where winter persists with its prolonged and frigid embrace, it's advisable to refrain from venturing into the woods for several weeks yet. The lingering energy imbalance necessitates waiting until the weather has remained consistently warm for an extended period. This

allows ample time for the energy in the woods or forest to harmonize and come into balance, ensuring a safer and more harmonious experience.

Adding a little more spice to your food.

Now is the perfect time to infuse your meals with a touch of spice to balance the liver and enhance the lung energy. Incorporate ingredients like ginger root, green onions, garlic, and onions into your dishes. Additionally, consider adding hot red peppers to your diet once a week, if you're comfortable with them, as they provide excellent protection and immune support.

Hot red peppers boast detoxifying properties, aid in flu recovery, and promote digestive health. If spicy peppers aren't your preference, opt for more green onion, ginger root, and garlic instead.

Green onion and ginger root are particularly effective in strengthening lung energy, supporting digestion, and warding off colds and flu by activating lung energy. I highly recommend incorporating these ingredients into your meals as often as possible, even in small quantities, for their significant