| High Summer Season |
| Written by Rebecca Quin, ChiBall Master Trainer |
High summer is Yang in its fullest expression - radiant and energetic.
The bright sunny days lift our spirits and we feel more actively social, and find ourselves smiling and laughing more freely.
Within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the seasons are associated with the five phases of energy or five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Fire is the Element for this season; it is bright, vibrant, magnetic, warm and alive. It illuminates, cleanses and inspires. It adds colour, variety and excitement in our lives. The five elements are also associated with organ or meridian partnerships within the body. The Fire element is associated with two sets of organ partnerships: the heart and small intestine and the pericardium and triple heater. The latter partnership is connected to the heart and small intestine via internal linking meridians. In this short article we will focus on the heart. 
In TCM, the heart is considered the Emperor of the body. Eastern philosophers believe that when the Emperor is happy and balanced, all the subjects (organs) benefit and we are able to manifest our true nature.
The heart governs our emotional expression and our ability to communicate with clarity and honesty. Our ability to desire and take pleasure in life all relates to the heart. The heart governs the blood and blood vessels and so also relates to sweat and our complexion. Unless you have just run up a hill, a red sweaty face is considered by TCM doctors to be a sign of heart disharmony. Further according to ancient eastern philosophers they believe the heart houses the Shen (Spirit), the Shen is closely related to the mind or consciousness, and is that part of us that is alert and present in the moment. When the heart is healthy and balanced our Shen can rest and be nourished in its home, meaning we can sleep deeply and wake feeling fresh and vital. According to TCM disrupted sleep and insomnia, or waking feeling tired and depressed are signs that there is an imbalance of Chi that's affecting the heart and disrupting the Shen. 
In TCM the tongue is considered to be the sprout of the heart and so governs speech. Unexpressed emotions or having to 'bite our tongue' can result in stuttering or aphasia. If the heart has excess yang energy there may also be excessive or inappropriate laughter, states of over-joy & excitement, or non-stop chattering.
The tip of the tongue indicates heart health in a TCM diagnosis. If the tip is bright red there is too much fire in the heart, if the tip is purple then there is blood/Chi stagnation in the heart. A healthy tongue should appear pink and moist with a thin white coat covering it. Heat is the climatic 'issue' that needs to be managed this season. If excessive heat enters the body, it scorches the organs and makes the blood flow erratically, leading to excess sweating, heavy periods, and in extreme cases, haemorrhaging. Heat can build within the body from drinking too much coffee, alcohol and ginger tea, eating too much spicy, hot food, or having an over active mind or emotional state. Here are some tips to enjoy the summer months and maintain optimal health: Time to get active – Summer is the time to move and get the heart beating. This is the season to increase your activity and train a little harder. Remember not to push yourself to extremes. TCM exponents believe that overexertion can lead to depletion of your kidney Chi and uses up your inherited Chi. Yoga is very beneficial for the heart and helps bring a restless Shen back to the body. Seasonal Summer ChiBall Class - The focus for Summer is on expressing the expanding, radiant energy of the season to promote outward expression and self awareness using ChiBall Dance and moving Yoga postures. A Summer ChiBall class aims to lift the spirit and enhance feelings of love and joy with lively, sensual, heart opening movements. Click here to watch a preview of the Summer Seasonal class. Dance - The heart loves to dance. Dance allows us to express and experience love, passion and joy. Book yourself into dance classes and learn to salsa, tango, flamenco…whatever your heart desires. 
Food for thought – Summer is when a variety of foods are abundant, so make the most of it. Lightly cooked foods and salads are best on hot days. Barbecued food is popular in the summer, but be aware that it can cause the food (especially red meats) to become very energetically hot, which can create an excess of heat with in the body.
Red foods are considered beneficial for the heart and build good quality blood which is essential for good health. Berries are wonderful blood builders. Healthy blood means healthy Shen; when our Shen is healthy, we glow from within, our eyes sparkle and we feel connected to all that is. Party hearty, all day long – Make the most of the daylight hours, work hard towards your goals, take time to enjoy the season with friends and family, laugh, dance, sing and play. Summertime is when you can afford to rise early and go to bed late. However it is always best to observe the old saying, "One hour sleep before midnight is worth two after". Keep hydrated – In TCM, to lose sweat is to lose blood. In summer, with all the extra activity and heat we will sweat more. So keep up the fluids by sipping water often. Don't wait until you are thirsty, being thirsty means you are already dehydrated. Explore your spirit – the fire element is closely connected to 'heaven' and spirituality. Summer is a great time to expand awareness of yourself and the world around you. Open your heart and live your life in love and truth.
Love In The In-Spirit Space |