The Balance of Yin and Yang

The theory of yin and yang is one of the most important and fundamental concepts of acupuncture and oriental medicine. The philosophy of yin and yang is as old as Asian history itself. Yet, it is one of the most misunderstood and difficult ideas to get a grasp of.  While I have been practicing Chinese medicine for over 10 years in NYC and here in the Syracuse area at CNY Healing Arts, it is the question I encounter most. Patients are often curious about how the theory of yin and yang relates to their health and what they can do to help themselves.

Most of us are raised with the concept of duality seeing the positive and negative aspects of life, as it is a basic education to make us a responsible member of society and for ourselves. We are taught to defeat the evil and often rewarded for being good. The concept, however, does not apply to the theory of yin and yang.

The concept of positive and negative does not correlate directly to yin and yang. Neither does the concept of good and evil. It is this misunderstanding that causes the confusion among patients whom were misguided.  The concept of yin and yang not only describes the opposite elements or phenomenon, it also includes the model of support and harmony. Yin and yang teaches us the idea of relativity as the stability of matter can only be achieved by maintaining the balance. There will be chaos and eventually death and destruction if this balance breaks or one of the elements of yin and yang gets extremely strong.

Our health depends on the same concept of maintaining the balance. We should not only look for ways to improve on deficiencies, but also find ways to reduce excesses. We also should be aware that this concept applies to our spiritual and emotional state as well. We should understand that the extreme state of our emotion harms the state of our well being. We can overcome this by realizing there is an opposite force in existence, not only in the future or in our imagination but occurring simultaneously as well. By practicing visualizations of this philosophy, we will be more at ease.

There is a universal attraction which holds these opposing but interdependent and inter-supporting elements together. I would like to call this universal bonding agent, love.

Chi Heon Yi, L.Ac.
CNY Healing Arts, Syracuse, NY
315.671.5755
Email me at cyi@cnyhealingarts.com

Wintertime Blues

There is no argument that central New York has one of the longest winters in the whole country. It is not only long but cold and snowy too.  Although many of us are prepared well for the perils of mother- nature’s wraths, not many of us understand and know the affects it has on our mind and body. Many of us are aware of the relationship between lack of sunlight and depression, but what about other factors such as cold temperatures, shorter days, and heavy snow? Using some of the philosophy which acupuncture is based on, I may shine a light on those wintertime blues.

Unlike the misconceptions that many people have about this season, winter months are the most important time of the year for our body and life in general.  Because the winter season marks the beginning of life by providing energy to the seeds which have fallen during the previous autumn season.  It is time to replenish, prepare, be creative and plan for the seasons ahead.  Instead of complaining about the lack of vitamin D for our body, we may benefit from longer nights by pondering on deeper thoughts through meditation. Cold temperatures help us think with more alertness and have a clearer overall picture of our lives.

Winter is not a time of death, nor is there an abundance of negative energy. It is time for the creation of life and of positive energy.  We are replenishing our body by absorbing more universal energy just by doing fewer activities. Fewer activities does not mean that we should be doing no activity or exercise, in fact we should be doing light exercises and or stretching. Be sure to avoid sweating out too much of your preserved energy. During the winter season we are preparing our body by eating heavier and thicker foods. Good examples of these foods are ones which grow under ground such as potatoes, beets, carrots, and ones which give us warmth, such as ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.

When our universal energies are fulfilled and overflowing, we will be ready to bloom like spring flowers.

Chi Heon Yi, L.Ac
CNY Healing Arts, Syracuse, NY
315.671.5755
Email me at cyi@cnyhealingarts.com