Five Element Theory

The Five Element Theory is a main pillar of Chinese Medicine that categorizes and classifies natural phenomenon. It is the fundamental concept of Chinese culture including medicine, arts, Tai Chi, Feng Shui, and more. This Chinese method of thinking reflects the Taoist Philosophy of the idea that there are five fundamental energies within nature, or the Tao.

The Five Element perspective suggests that everything in nature can be classified into

Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, & Earth.

This theory can be used to categorize the seasons of nature, the cycle of a day, the stages of human life, or the state of one’s health. Since the human is a microcosm of nature, all five of these energies show up in every human physically, mentally, and emotionally. Each element is associated with a specific theme, part of the body, organ, emotion, virtue, etc. For example, Fire is represented by summer, the color red, a bitter taste, the emotion love, and the Heart. On the other hand, Water is symbolized with winter, the color blue, a salty taste, the emotion fear, and the Kidneys.

The elements play an important role to each other and when in balance allow for overall health and well-being. Although an appropriate balance of these five energies is important for health, any element can be imbalanced when it becomes over or under active and cause symptoms of dysfunction or disease. In this way of thinking, Chinese Medicine practitioners assess client’s health based upon each person’s individual current state through the lens of the Five Elements, and then treat accordingly.

Although we all have each of the five elements within us, the theory suggests that everyone has a dominant element, or constitutional type, that represents one's overall way of being. Similar to your astrological sign or human design, constitutional types are a blueprint of how we show up in this world. Each constitutional type has it’s own set of gifts, as well as challenges- which makes knowing your specific type an empowering and clarifying experience.

In future posts, we'll dive deeper into how each of these elements may show up for you, how to determine if an element is imbalanced, how to find your constitutional type, and more!

Moxibustion

What is moxibustion?

Moxibustion, or moxa, is a Chinese Medicine modality in which the herb mugwort is burned near an acupoint. This therapy predates acupuncture and was first used during the Han Dynasty as early as 206BC to dispel diseases from cold and dampness. Moxa can be applied in several techniques including burning loose mugwort, burning a tightly rolled mugwort stick, or using a wooden box to trap mugwort smoke over a larger area.

What is mugwort?

Mugwort is an herb from the daisy family that grows wild in temperate climates all over the world. It is traditionally harvest during a very potent yang cycle: 3rd & 5th lunar day of the 3rd & 5th lunar month. It has been done this way for thousands of years in order to preserve the most optimal properties of mugwort, which are warming, bitter, and acrid. Studies show mugwort contains medicinal oils, minerals, and vitamins that act as a nervine (calms nervous system), tonic (nourishes blood & energy), febrifuge (reduces fever), and emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation by increasing blood flow to the pelvic area).

How does moxa work? 

Moxa works by the law of thermodynamics- an object doesn’t possess heat, but rather ‘internal energy’. Therefore, moxibustion transfers heat into the tissues to increase the internal energy of the body. The heat generated by the combustion of the herb stimulates the point to regulate blood, fluid, and energy flow throughout the myofascial channel. Moxa invigorates the blood, dissolves stagnation, grounds energy downward, warms the body systematically, and helps to get rid of excess fluid retention. It’s not that the moxibustion heals the body, but rather it gives the body what it needs to heal itself. 

What does moxa treat?

Moxibustion has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions and ailments. Moxa can be beneficial for treating musculoskeletal pain/tension/swelling, digestive disorders, cold/flu/cough, weakened immune system, insomnia, anemia, arthritis, menstrual dysfunction, reproductive concerns, menopause symptoms, breech births, circulation or breathing issues, headaches, skin conditions, edema, and injuries to name a few. Moxa has an effect on the mental-emotional health as well by calming emotions and strengthening spirit, according to Ancient Chinese. They also believed moxibustion nourishes life and prevents disease, and modern studies have shown that it increases white blood cells, thus boosting immunity.

What to expect during a moxa treatment?

During the treatment, you will feel local heat over the point being treated, as well as heat radiating throughout the limbs, hands, feet, and entire body. You may also feel energy and blood flow as the warmth and circulation increases from the moxa. After the treatment, you should rest as much as possible, eat simple and light, avoid cold/raw foods, reduce stress and intense activity for 24 hours, and protect treated areas from wind/cold/heat/dampness exposure.

Moxa is generally a safe modality, but should only be applied by a trained professional. There are certain conditions in which moxa is not recommended. To include moxa therapy in your session, book an appointment with me and we’ll add it to your treatment!

Yin Yoga Theory

Yin Yoga combines traditional poses of Hatha Yoga, Five Element Theory of Chinese Medicine, and mindfulness meditation of Tibetan Buddhism to create a potent movement therapy. It is a relatively new practice based on ancient wisdom traditions. Yin yoga physically targets the fascial trains or energetic channels to stretch and unwind connective tissue. It also incorporates an exploration of stillness and relaxation in each pose, or asana. This style of yoga offers balance to the body, mind, and spirit.

The principles of yin yoga are slowness, relaxation, and stillness. Traditional yoga poses are held for 3-5 minutes. Slowing down like this allows the pose to work deeper than the muscles and target the important connective tissue, or fascia, and the joints. At 2 minutes, the fascia begins to unwind, release, and become more fluid-like. However it is important that we apply the second principle- relaxation- in order to ‘get to’ the fascia and joints. When the muscles are relaxed, the fascia can more easily unwind.

The final principle of yin yoga is stillness. When a comfortable position is found, we commit to stillness of the body and mind for the length of the pose. This is where various techniques and theories of mindfulness meditation come in to encourage self awareness, radical acceptance and embodied presence. The concept of being present and meeting what arises with equanimity is a practice we can use throughout practice and during daily life. In this way, yin yoga can be utilized as a powerful self-inquiry tool and spiritual practice.

Yin yoga asana is categorized based on what facial train or channel it targets. The channels, or energetic pathways, are connected to the Five Element Theory of Chinese Medicine. Each channel corresponds with an element, emotion, theme, organ, and specific energy. Utilizing yin yoga asana, we explore how these different elements and their corresponding channels show up physically in the body, as well as mentally and emotionally. Working with the fascia, we encourage the natural healing abilities of the body to restore balance and harmonize the energies of these elements within oneself on all levels. 

Yin yoga is a slow, still, and relaxed style of meditative movement that supports mindfulness on and off the mat.

How does bodywork work?

The style of bodywork I offer benefits musculoskeletal system, nervous system, internal organ function, mental-emotional health, range of motion and flexibility. That means it treats a whole lot of various conditions- physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Whether or not you have received the magic of touch-therapy, you probably wonder: how does bodywork work? This is a great question to have- especially if you’re a receiver! 

The main idea of bodywork is working with the body’s communication flow. In order for the body to sustain well-being, information must be smoothly and quickly transmitted throughout the body.

The body transmits information via:

• Connective tissue/fascia

• Nervous system

• Hormones

• Muscles

• Blood

Bodywork facilitates the natural healing abilities of the body by optimizing these communication system. When communication is optimal, we experience our natural state of balance and wellness. Bodywork manually stimulates connective tissue, or fascia. Fascia is the tissue that connects every aspect of our body from the tip of our head to the tips of our toes. This connective tissue contains channels rich in information including blood, energy, and nourishing fluids. As the fascia unwinds to its natural state, information flows more efficiently and all other forms of communication benefit. The body relaxes, the mind calms, restoration and healing deepens.

There is researched-based evidence that bodywork can have the following effects:

• Increased blood flow locally & regulation of overall circulation

• Analgesic, or pain relieving, effects via opioid-peptide release

• Hormonal balance by activating endocrine system through pituitary gland & hypothalamus

• Down-regulates nervous system by affecting neurotransmitters & neurohormones

• Optimizes immune system by strengthening immune function on cellular level

• Relieves tension by stimulating neuro-muscular junction & resetting brain-muscle connection

When considering the benefits of bodywork, it is important to remember the nature of informed, intentional touch is nourishing in itself. When a loved one needs support, we lend a hand. When we stub our toe, we reach to hold it. When a baby cries, we hold it close. Touch is nutritive, and highly underrated in our society. Bodywork offers a safe and non-judgmental space to receive compassionate touch-based therapy.

BREATHE

You can live for 3 weeks without food and 3 days without water, but only a few minutes without air. The very first thing a newborn does earthside is breathe. Air is the most underrated yet crucial life-force. In Chinese Medicine, Fall is related to the Metal element which correlates with the Lungs. This makes Fall the most important time to focus on the quality of our breath to support our lungs and overall well-being. [To learn more about this, check out the AUTUMN+METAL ELEMENT post.]

Working with clients I realized the lack of education around the importance of the breath and the proper way to breathe. What most of us are taught when exposed to breath techniques is distended belly breaths and loud manual exhales- which can actually be harsh on the body when it comes to regular breath. Proper breathing is the way of breathing that is physiologically optimal for the body. This means maximum oxygen intake and minimal stress on the body.

Why it’s important to breathe properly

Respiratory health influences all other systems because oxygen is utilized in almost every processes in the body. The respiratory system is closely intertwined with the following systems:

• Nervous system 

  • Efficient respiration ensures calm nervous system

    • Brain uses 20% of our oxygen supply

• Immune System

  • Oxygen is a healing & animating life force

    • Low oxygen leads to low energy & causes disease

• Cardiovascular system

  • Poor breathing impairs circulation

    • Low levels of oxygenated blood stress the heart

• Muscular system

  • Oxygen used in muscle function

    • Low oxygen causes tension, spasms & pain

How to breathe properly
Proper breathing is relaxed, silent, and rhythmic.

When the breath is relaxed, there is minimal muscle activation. This means the body only moves the minimal amount necessary. The main breathing tool is the diaphragm. It contracts during inhalation, pushing down onto the abdomen. Because of this, every full breath is like a little massage and manual detox for our organs. Breathing into the abdomen should be 360 expansion: front, back & side-to-side simultaneously- versus distended belly breaths that strain the body. The muscles between our ribs, the intercostals, are basically accessory muscles for breathing and should only be used when absolutely necessary. This means the ribs should be moving minimally during normal breathing.

Silent breathing is a sign of proper breathing. Loud inhales and exhales for regular breath can utilize unnecessary energy and stress the body. In fact, exhalations do not require any conscious action. On the exhale, the diaphragm simply relaxes. This creates a pressure difference that naturally pushes air out of the lungs.

Rhythmic breathing is smooth and continuous during the inhale-exhale cycle. Holding or pausing the breath is considered irregular breathing and can decrease the oxygen intake. Full breaths are crucial to fulfill the gaseous exchange between O2 & CO2 and the blood. Due to gravity, the exchange happens at the bottom ends of our lungs so short breaths don’t carry oxygen to this essential point. In addition, breathing is most optimal through the nose because it filters, warms, and moisturizes air for lungs unlike the mouth.

These are my personal tips for regular breathing, and they don’t necessarily apply to various breathwork techniques. I’m not a trained breathworker, just a bodyworker who is passionate about proper breathing for well-being. If you’re interested in exploring breathing on a personal level, or would like to learn practical breathwork techniques, book a session with me.

Artwork: Bedelgeuse

Go-To Point: PC6

One of my go-to points: PC6, or Inner Frontier Gate.

PC6 is great for calming emotions, especially anxiety or an overactive mind. This point relieves an upset stomach and regulates digestion, so it’s helpful for nausea. It also opens up the chest and relaxes neck/shoulder tension.

PC6 is a point on the Pericardium channel. Pericardium is the ‘heart protector’ as it determines what is allowed in and out of the heart. Working with this channel enables opening of the heart space with the ability to be present and receptive with oneself and with others.

PC6 located about 2in above the wrist crease, in the middle of the forearm. If you clench your fist, it can be found between the two tendons that stick out. You can press here with light to medium pressure for a couple minutes or as long you feel called to.

Follow along for more of my go-to points and other techniques to add to your self-care toolbox!

Cupping

Cupping is one of my favorite therapies to give and receive because it is such a different experience than most modalities. The reason cupping is so unique is because it creates suction of the skin and fascia via cups to uplift the tissues rather than compress like other manual therapies. The therapeutic benefit to this suctioning is due to the lifting of the skin up to 4 inches deep. This lift creates increased local circulation and room for connective tissues to loosen and relax. As the tissues unwind, it results in a breakage and release of any blockages including stuck tissues, stagnant fluids, and toxins. It is overall pain relieving, relaxing, energizing, and detoxifying.

Cupping can treat chronic pain, injuries, arthritis, digestive issues, asthma, congestion, migraines, immune function, anxiety, depression, skin disorders, fertility, infections, high blood pressure.. Alright, you get the point- it’s beneficial for so many conditions!

This type of therapy compliments the form of bodywork I offer because it works with the same energy map of the body: the Meridians or channels of Qi. These create the same points and areas that acupuncturists needle. Targeting these channels, points, and areas assists to optimize blood, lymph and energy flow to support the natural healing abilities of the body. Adding cupping onto the end of a bodywork therapy session can help to further enhance the benefits of both forms of manual therapy.

You’ve probably seen those round bruise-looking marks on cuppee’s backs. Don’t fear: cupping isn’t painful and those aren’t bruises caused by injury- rather signs of stagnant fluids and toxins in the area that have been brought to the surface. The more visible the mark, the more stagnation and toxicity present. The body will naturally clear these toxins via the circulatory system within 3-5 days. The visibility of the marks will fade with each treatment as the body continues to detoxify. Afterwards stay extra hydrated and rest well to support your body as it integrates these shifts.

Stillness & Movement

A glimpse of this morning’s juicy practice. A little stretchy, some movement, and lots of stillness.

This dynamic between movement and stillness is something the Doaists deeply studied to embody. Zuowang, which means sitting and forgetting, is what most people think of when they hear meditation. There is no goal or purpose besides stillness, and it’s a way of unlearning unnecessary movement of the body and mind. Another type of meditation is called Jindan, or Golden Elixir. During Jindan, the body (Jing) is quiet but the mind (Shen) is engaged. The body is structurally aligned and empty of intent or the desire to move. However the spatial mind (not the ego, but our perception of space) is active: we give attention to or feel into the space that the body occupies. Keeping that sensation, we spread awareness to the open space that extends in all directions, until the edges of the expanding universe. What begins to reveal itself is the distillation between our body (Jing) and energy (Qi). The body can feeling floaty or tingly, space and time can become fluid because they are constructed by the mind- but the fruition of this practice is a sensation that goes beyond our typical senses.

This practice shows yourself to you, and provides you with information about what’s happening in your body. I do not practice to change myself, but rather to observe the changes that are occurring. This cultivation practice is not creating anything, but rather using the right conditions to reveal what’s already happening.

Sometimes my practice looks like this. Sometimes my practice is lying on the floor and staring at the ceiling. Sometimes it’s belting my favorite songs. Other times it’s solo dance parties. It can also be crying, screaming, punching a pillow. Or taking a walk in nature. I don’t limit my practice to a mat or cushion. My practice doesn’t start or stop.

AUTUMN + METAL ELEMENT

Autumn is such a tender and special time of year. A sense of longing in the air as the expansiveness of Summer fades. In Chinese Medicine, Fall relates to the Metal Element, the Lungs & Large Intestine, the idea of Impermanence, and the emotion Grief.

The leaves so beautifully demonstrate this energy, changing colors and falling gracefully when they are no longer needed. There is no question or doubt of their value to the tree, as their worth is intrinsic in nature throughout the whole process, and inherently remains after they’ve fallen. Much like the functions of the Lungs & LI, there is a theme of ‘letting go’ associated with this energy as well as being at peace with the impermanence of all things, including our own existence, and realizing the pure value of all that is, including our own self worth.

Disharmony arrives when grief lingers longer than necessary, and can be observed as an inability to ‘let go’ of toxic energy, be it an unhealthy relationship or stool, leading to constipation for example. “I want to let go of X, but I can’t because Y” is the stereotypical unbalanced Metal expression. It can also be reflected internally as a lack of self worth and a constant need for approval from others to verify personal value.

A great exercise to work with the energy of the Metal element, and is especially potent during the Fall, is to meditate or journal on the habits, ways of being, beliefs, people, places, obligations, etc that are no longer serving you and that you are ready to release. The only way new, pure experiences can enter our life is by creating space for them by letting go of what is no longer serving your highest good.