Last Christmas my husband surprised me with a weekend SPA retreat at the Poconos.
The moment I received the gift I was excited and worried. I was worried that I would miss my family or that I would get totally bored. Evidently my husband reminded me that throughout the year I kept asking to be somewhere where nobody is yelling MOM every few seconds.
The few days at my retreat were like I was sleep walking. Everything was taking care off. The food was amazing, the scenery breathtaking and the peace – positively overwhelming.
Between my Qui Gong, Reiki or stone massages I was relaxing in front of a fireplace with one of my favorite books without needing to be anywhere.
After I came back I was immediately surrounded by their familiar noises barking dogs, kids screaming and phone ringing. A few days later I completely forgot about my vacation until one of my friends asked me about it.
The weekend up in the mountains definitely taught me that we all need more “Balance”. Balance between fun, work and daily routines.
Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine believe that every disease manifests out of an imbalance in Ying and Yang. Diseases like cancer, migraines, GERD, depression, anxiety, heart attack, etc. are all modern health problems due to our lack of balancing our inner energies.
Ying is associated with female characteristics like love, rest, peace and calmness. Yang is more associated with the male characteristics like power, strength, competition and restlessness.
It’s been said that the Western World is more yang and the Eastern World is more Ying. But there is always a small Yang within Ying, and a small Ying within Yang.
Try to find more balance within your life. If you feel like you are spinning out of control due to stress, stop and enjoy more peaceful moments or weekends away from your routine. If you feel like you have lost your spark for living and nothing gets you excited anymore, you need to get back into the driver seat of your life to discover your hidden interests and passions.
Our lives are filled with opposites. Opposites are a natural occurrence. What would summer be without winter? What about living in a country like Norway where there is no darkness during summer?
Our bodies feel energized and balanced by following the natural waves of being. Have you ever noticed that after days of working long hours you long for a quiet calming weekend? That’s your inner voice talking to you, that voice is your natural compass. That compass guides you throughout life to secure a healthy and fulfilled life. Unfortunately when we stop listening to that voice we start getting lost which can manifest into disease.
In my practice I have seen it too many times that my clients with migraines, chronic fatigue, thyroid dysfunction and cancer are people who have lost their compass towards balance. They show physical discomfort within their voice/throat (acid reflux, sluggish thyroid, frequent sore throats) which is the metaphor for their voice within Reiki (blue chakra)
Here are a few suggestions how to balance Ying and Yang physically, nutritionally and emotionally.
NUTRITION:
-too Yang (high protein diet) change to a vegetable based diet
-too Ying (high raw food) change towards heavier foods like grains, meat, fish into the diet
-too Yang (high cooked food) add more raw food
-too Yang (high intake on herbal supplements), get your nutrients from food
-too Ying (low intake of calories), eat more foods with higher calorie count
-too Yang (spicy food) eat more simple tasting food
EXERCISE:
-too much cardio, add more toning
-too much kick boxing, add more meditation
-too much SUMBA, add more Vbarre.
-too much weightlifting, add more running
EMOTIONS:
-too much alone at home, go meet your friends and socialize more
-too much of a partier, try to stay home every once in a while
-too many arguments in a relationship, try to agree every once in a while
A balanced YING and YANG brings harmony, peace and equanimity which are the foundations for the happiness of our soul.
Birgit your Wellness Coach