Harmonizing With The Seasons Through Eating, Sleeping & Physical Activity (Qi Gong)

BY KURT BAKER

An often-overlooked aspect of Chinese medicine harmonizing with the seasons. We naturally adjust to seasonal changes in many ways, often without thinking about it. With a few additional, intentional adjustments, however, you can support your health and well-being—especially when incorporating Chinese medicine into your health-care routine. 

The basic idea is that our bodies are influenced by the sun’s changing position throughout the year. Modern science has documented many of the ways seasonal changes affect us. In earlier times, people who lived close to the land and depended on farming paid careful attention to these shifts. Overlooking them could literally mean the difference between life and death.

Although most of us are no longer dependent on the land in the same way, these early observations were incorporated into Chinese medicine and Daoist practices for health and longevity. Traditionally, there are three primary areas of daily life we can adjust to align with the energy of each season: 

• Food and cooking, including herbal remedies 

• Sleep and wakefulness 

• Physical activity, including qi gong, bodywork, and acupuncture 

These areas are also guided by spirit, or Shen —our overall attitude and relationship to the season. When we become more attuned to our Shen, seasonal changes can feel increasingly natural and intuitive. 

THE FIVE SEASONS 

In the Chinese calendar, known as the Tong Shu, there are five seasons. Each corresponds

to one of the five phases, or elements, of Chinese philosophy: 

• Spring: Wood 

• Summer: Fire 

• Late summer and transitional periods: Earth 

• Autumn: Metal 

• Winter: Water 

The fifth element, the Earth phase, 

corresponds to the transitional periods between seasons. Although the transition from summer to autumn is often considered the most prominent Earth period, Earth is present during every seasonal transition. 

We can also visualize the seasonal cycle as a compass. The four cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—represent the peak, or 

“spike,” of each season. The corners of the compass—northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest—represent the transitional, “a looping” periods associated with the Earth phase.

From this perspective, the summer solstice marks the middle of summer rather than its beginning—hence the phrase “midsummer.” This is an ancient way of understanding the seasons and can be especially useful when 

our goal is to live in harmony with them, rather than simply organizing our schedules around them. 

SEASONAL QUALITIES 

Spring is the rebirth of life after the cold, darkness of winter. Summer is the flourishing of life. Autumn is the maturation of life, and winter is the completion and renewal of the life cycle.* 

When one season is not fully supported, it can affect the body’s energy in the season that follows, leaving us feeling as though we are playing catch-up. For example, if we are overly active during winter, we may deplete the resources needed for spring’s renewal. This

may show up as fatigue, low mood, or a sense of stagnation. 

Learning how to adjust our eating habits, sleep patterns, and physical activities throughout the year can greatly effect how we feel throughout 

the year, not to mention complement our acupuncture and herbal treatments. These simple practices can help support a healthier, richer, and more balanced life. 

UPCOMING QI GONG CLASSES 

At Felek Acupressure, I’ll be teaching classes on harmonizing with the seasons through tai chi and qi gong. We’ll explore movement practices that support seasonal balance, along with recipe suggestions and other practical ways to work with the energy of the year. 

Details about the classes and registration information are included in this issue.