Winds of Change
Let's talk about Wind. Springtime - the Wood element - is a time of rising (Yang) energy. This movement is reflected in nature by budding plants and trees, longer, brighter days, and our increased motivation and desire to get outside and moving - for our voices to be lifted up and heard. It's a time of change and hope for the future - an important time to both activate and stay focused.
Wind - an important renewable source of energy - is a vital force of nature that helps to usher in the changing climate during this time of year, protecting the Earth and its inhabitants from the potentially damaging effects of excess heat imposed on the planet's surface.
Traditional East Asian medicine - similar to Black and Indigenous medicine traditions around the globe - has evolved in close observation of nature, and has been largely shaped by adaptation to climate change and epidemics. In fact, many of the primary ancient texts that TCM practitioners study today include climactic themes in their titles: the Shang Han Lun ("On Cold Damage") and the Wen Bing ("Warm Disease") are two examples among many.
Wind is a term that is emphasized over and over in these texts, as a powerful external phenomenon that humans - as relatively small creatures on the planet - are particularly vulnerable to in spring and fall. Therefore, while the Wind takes care of the Earth, our survival depends on utilizing advanced planning for this cyclical force every season, to strengthen the body's defenses and build immunity from the corresponding surges of communicable diseases, which have the potential to exacerbate underlying chronic and degenerative illnesses.
As we are experiencing yet another surge in COVID-19 right now, this is a critical moment for us to do what we can to weather the current times, while also preparing and strengthening our minds, bodies, and spirits for this coming fall and winter.
Public health experts, epidemiologists, and community advocates are advising the general public to be cautiously hopeful, and to maintain a sense of calm, focused and informed urgency as individuals and communities make personal and public policy decisions. As we exit Winter - a Yin time of reflection, knowledge, and energy conservation - I am hopeful that we will collectively show what we know as we embrace Spring. Perhaps we'll incorporate some of the hard lessons learned acutely over the past year into our path forward as we build better and lasting global health and healing for everyone. Grounding our collective will by continually centering, and re-centering the most vulnerable in our communities as we shift and adapt will be key in achieving this.
Please view our new video below reviewing our COVID policies, and also take a peek at our restructured clinic!