Teaching Yin Yoga in spring: exploring the Wood Element
Many of us know about the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each element is associated with specific organ systems and carries its own physical, emotional and spiritual qualities. Yin Yoga draws from this wisdom and can be practiced in seasonal alignment.
The Liver & Gallbladder organ system of the Wood Element
In TCM, the Liver and Gallbladder are the organs connected to the Wood element. The Liver is often described as the General of the Army, responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the body. It governs vision, both physically through the eyes but also metaphorically: through our dreams, imagination and capacity to envision and create plans.
The Gallbladder sits closely by the Liver and complements it by giving us the courage and decisiveness to act on our visions. They form a powerful duo: the Liver dreams, the Gallbladder decides and we step forward into growth.
Harmony on Different Levels
Wood element physically: a balanced Wood element means that Qi and blood move freely through the body. We feel energized, flexible and nourished. Diet plays a vital role, especially after coming out of winter (a great resource: Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford). The Liver and Gallblader system is also responsible for the health of our tendons and ligaments (=the sinews of the body).The energetic pathways (Liver and Gallbladder meridians) are found in the side seam of the body and the inner seam of our legs. Qigong or Yin Yoga are particularly great for opening up the fascial lines so the Qi can move through with ease.
Wood element emotionally: When Qi and blood can flow harmoniously, we feel compassionate and have kindness towards ourselves and others. The Wood element is embodying growth and that energy to reach to the sky, which can be helpful to put your vision into action but when there is a ceaseless striving we can exhaust ourselves. Stress can take its toll, we become frustrated and angry- after all we tried so hard but now feel drained (and not fulfilled). We get short tempered, snap at others or are really ironic and bitter.
Recognizing our emotional state is important and we can do this as we slow down and become aware of our body-mind in practices such as Yin Yoga or Qigong, but also walks in nature or whatever let’s you slow down enough to recognize your emotional state. Emotions need to move through, and its important to find ways to let anger, frustration or bitterness loosen up and move through.
The Gallbladder is helping us make decisions - whether small or big, and in a too busy every day life, the sheer amount of decisions you need to take can take a toll on this energetic system and lead to stress.
Wood element spiritually: the Liver houses the Hun, the “Ethereal Soul” The Hun represents our inner vision, the part of us that dreams beyond the present moment. It gathers inspiration and together with our heart’s truth, it fuels our courage to take the first step toward our vision. When guided by the Hun, we are able to say a full-bodied “Yes” to what feels aligned with us.
Supporting the Wood Element with Yin Yoga (and Qigong)
We can look after our Liver and Gallbladder energy through gentle movement of the body using Qigong, Yin Yoga and acupressure massage or tapping.
Explore Yin Yoga poses and Qigong movements that open and stimulate the sides of the body, hips and inner thighs where the Liver and Gallbladder sinew channels are found.
Teaching Tip: Use imagery of roots and branches. Invite students to feel grounded (roots) while expanding and lengthening (branches).
Teaching Tip: Encourage students to sense into all layers, not just the physical through some somatic inquiry cues:
Where do you notice flow in your body and where rigidity?
Can you soften into resistance and allow space for growth/ breath?
What does flexibility feel like, not just in your joints or the physical layers, but in your attitude toward this pose, yourself?
Use acupressure massage or tapping gently along specific areas of the body.
Teaching Tip: incorporate acupressure of Liver-3 points (=Supreme Rushing) to help resolve stagnation of Qi flow, to relieve frustration, tension and in general for emotional regulation.
Reflect with Spirit
Take time to reflect on your internal vision in opening/ closing meditation:
Where do you see yourself growing? What ideas or dreams feel like a spark of curiosity, a pull toward expansion? This doesn’t have to be a big thing, could be that you want to plan a camping trip or try making your own bread ;-) Allow yourself to be creative, it doesn’t have to make sense to others.
Imagine yourself in your dream place, doing what feels in alignment with who you are, knowing all what you dreamed of became real. How do you feel?
Ask yourself: When do you feel in alignment? What feels like a full-body yes?
To conclude
The Wood element reminds us that growth begins with vision, which is birthed by our imagination. When we align with the spirit of the Liver, we gather our dreams and step forward with clarity. Spring is the perfect time to honor this process but certainly not the only time we can bring new ideas or visions into this world. It is the energetic shift, that upward momentum (that is felt particularly in spring through natures’ awakening) that helps us bring our dreams into manifestation.
The Green Dragon reminds us to follow the Tao by moving with flow rather than force.
Happy springtime!
Simone x