Embrace The Stillness of Winter -BY Nikki Hillis
Photo by Nikki Hillis
This month I am introducing my friend Nikki Hillis who will be a frequent guest blogger as we both work with alignment of the seasons using Traditional Chinese Medicine. Nikki studied naturopathic nutrition in London, based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine dietary practices. She is also a certified Qi Gong teacher specialising in work with women and I will add in the end of this article all the places you can find Nikki Hillis.
Winter falls upon us so spring can bring new growth, cry the tears! Allow the longing! Sadness brings surrender and a deep desire to be free.
– Rumi
Winter represents the most inward, Yin (feminine) phase of the year. The cold and darkness of winter urges us to slow down. This is the time of year to reflect on the past year, rest, replenish & consolidate our Qi energy, to conserve strength. It’s a time to prepare for the new birth of spring energy.
Element: Water.
Nature: Yin.
Organs Governed: Kidneys, Bladder, Adrenals, Ears & Hair.
Body Tissue: Bones, Marrow.
Taste: Salty, Bitter.
Emotion: Fear & Depression.
Colour: Black, Blue.
Winter is ruled by the water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands. The kidneys are considered the source of all energy (Qi) within the body. They store the Qi reserves in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully. It is important to nourish your kidneys in the winter and this includes keeping your kidneys warm.
We often reduce our physical activity in winter and so it’s wise to also reduce the amount of food you eat too to avoid weight gain. Raw and cold foods can be depleting in the winter months, so best to reduce this and gently steam foods and add warming herbs like ginger to drinks.
Foods for Winter that support the water element:
- Soups and Stews
- Root Vegetables
- Kidney and Aduki Beans
- Barley, Buckwheat & Millet
- Sea Vegetables, Kelp, Miso and Seaweed
- Garlic and Ginger
- Jasmine, Green Tea
- Onions, Turnips
- Cayenne Pepper
- Horseradish
- Parsley
- Alfalfa
- Dates
- Blackberries
- Cranberries
- Coriander
- Beetroot
- Celery
- Nettles
Here are a few tips to staying healthy this winter:
- Get plenty of sleep. The Nei Ching, an ancient Chinese classic, advised people to go to sleep early and rise late, after the sun’s rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit.
- Reduce stress with meditation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, yoga. They are very helpful to relax the mind, calm our emotions and raise the spirit. Stress, fear and unresolved anger can effect your immune system.
- Go Inward, reflect on your past year and lives with meditation & journaling. Reading and other soul nourishing activities that feed you spiritually.
- The sense organ associated with the kidneys is the ears, and our ability to hear clearly is related to kidney health. It’s important to keep the ears warm as we can lose heat through the ears and this will weaken the kidneys.
- The body part associated with the kidneys are the bones, it is important to look after your bones in the winter months. Bone broths are great for the bones, as they are warming, nourishing and a great source of nutrients and collagen.
- Winter is about storing up potential and using our resources (energy, money, abilities, gifts) wisely so it’s a key time for discernment and strengthening boundaries. The classic texts say that to use your Qi wisely is to expend it only on activities that align with your heart – not to waste it with things that don’t resonate with you. Consider all the ways you are spending your Qi. This is especially important around Christmas time, when we feel most pressured around where our energy goes, who we spend time with and the things that we purchase.
If you would like to get in touch and hang out with Nikki Hillis, you can find her at https://www.nikkihillis.com
Love,
Dani
