Late Summer Reflections & The Earth Element

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
This month I find myself reflecting on this past year and compelled to write a small personal reflection. It has been almost one year since I had a baby! This last year has been filled to the brim with change and a new kind of adventure. Last year at the end of August I closed down my practice for a few months to become a mother, the largest transformation I've yet done in this life. This parallels the energy present in the late summer which is the energy of harvesting that which we sow. The birth of a child is a very obvious manifestation of this concept, but in life we are constantly planting seeds for other things, such as ideas, events, personal growth goals and more. 

Then in November I moved my practice to a new location: Red Cricket Healing Center. This was another long awaited 'harvest' because I waited for about a year for all of the elements to fall into place for the move. It's an exciting new space. In addition to my shiatsu & massage practice we have acupuncture, community acupuncture, yoga classes, tui na and holistic physical therapy all in one building. 

Since re-opening my practice I've been working to find that ever elusive work/life balance. And one thing I've learned from Chinese Medicine is that seeking balance is a constant practice in which you add and take away as needed. As I look forward to the coming year I see a slow and steady approach being what's needed. I am putting the bulk of my energy as always into offering high quality, mindful bodywork to you...and realizing that many of the other details of running my practice will fall into place as needed. 

Again I am so grateful for all of you. My work is fulfilling and I love doing it. But enough about me, let's reflect on seasonal health and talk a little bit about how Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at wellness this time of year. 

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE & THE EARTH ELEMENT

In Minnesota we are entering Late Summer, the time of year where balance and abundance prevail.  We often begin to slow down from the busy pace of early in the season and relax into the lazy days of summer. This time of year is associated in Traditional Chinese Medicine with the Earth Element.

Chinese Medicine is all about function. It gives us context for our experiences and offers a tangible path towards balance. If someone is having trouble concentrating, reaping the metaphorical harvests in their life or feeling a lack of appetite for food or for life in general then Chinese Medicine offers a simple path of daily practices and treatments to help support that. Eating certain foods, receiving Shiatsu and Acupuncture, and meditating and/or exercising can really help. 

There are Five Elements in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Water, Wood, Fire, Earth & Metal. The Earth Element represents Late Summer as described below:

"The Earth energy of late summer is the phase and the feeling celebrated in the song 'Summertime, and the living is easy…' It's color is yellow, the color of the sun and earth, and in human anatomy it is associated with the stomach, spleen and pancreas, which lie at the center of the body and nourish the entire system. If Earth energy is deficient, digestion is impaired and the entire organism is thrown off balance owing to insufficient nourishment and vitality." -Daniel Reid, The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing

This quote generalizes the essence of the Earth Element. Physically, it brings our attention to digestion and energy levels. Mentally and emotionally it reminds us to look at how we concentrate and think to manifest things in our lives. Nourishment is needed on both physical and emotional levels for us to thrive. 

"Viewing the human condition as an extension of nature, Earth energy is needed to bring forth a harvest in our lives. The ability to reach completion is governed by this element, and those who chronically fail to reap what they have sown may have an imbalance here." -Gary Dolowich, M.D., B.Ac., Dipl. Ac, Archetypal Acupuncture


REFLECTIONS

Are you feeling as if you are able to complete what you set out to do? Or are you always starting projects you can't finish? Asking these questions might bring self-awareness to patterns that may be holding you back. By becoming aware you are then empowered to make changes and support better physical, emotional and mental balance. 

To sum, there are a number of symptoms that can signify an Earth Element out of balance. These can include: fatigue, lethargy, fogginess, insecurity, worry, feeling ungrounded. 

• Is your diet supporting strong healthy Qi?
• Are you getting enough quality nourishment through the energies, the people and the inspirations you bring into your life?
• Are you connecting to the Earth and grounding yourself through a connection with Nature?

If you answer no to any of the above questions, it may be time to look at ways you can bring more balance to your life.  Eat nourishing foods, support yourself with things that inspire you and take a walk outdoors. Healthy practices can be very simple and easy. 

-Susie Carlson, dipl. ABT
Certified Shiatsu & Massage Therapist

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