This month we have another guest blog:
The 5 Elements Theory
is by our esteemed colleague and friend Heather Reade (MFHT) .
Heather has been teaching Tai Chi and Qigong since 1999 in England and the US and provides courses for the NHS, in addition to Active West Lancs, MacMillan Cancer Care; the U3A; Twinkle House Sensory and Wellness Centre and primary schools in Liverpool and Lancashire.
In 2009, she created Water Lotus Qigong, a hydrotherapy, which has been used in the US and UK for the alleviation of pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. She is also, a qualified Sports Therapist, and Ear Acupuncturist.
To find out more about Heather and to request any further information, please visit website Heather Reade School of Tai Chi and QiGong
The 5 Elements, or Wu Xing (woo sshing), is a system used to categorise and explain patterns of transformation in the universe.
Wu Xing äŗč”
Wu = five
Xing = movement, transformation, phase
Photo: Yellow Emperor’s Classic
How is it applied to well-being?
Descriptions of the 5 Elements:
The Wood Element describes the actual trees and plants and is paired with the season of spring and the colour green.
Emotionally, Wood refers to our ability to ‘see’ our goals, and to ‘push through’ obstacles and to persevere; much like the new shoots push through the soil to emerge and grow into plants.
Wood is associated with
anger and frustration when out of balance, and with assertiveness and patience
when in balance.
In Tai Chi/Qigong, it represents the movements of flexing and extending.
To keep the Wood element in harmony, take time to exercise to release pent up energy, and find ways to positively express your needs, rather than ‘holding things in’.
Fire Element describes the burning flame---from a candle, or forest fire. It is paired with the season of summer and the colour red.
Within our bodies, Fire is paired with the Heart and Small Intestine and is energetically connected to the tongue and blood vessels.
Emotionally, it refers to our “warmth” towards life and others. When it is in balance it represents love, joy, contentment, and our ability to live wisely. When out of balance, cruelty, and a loss of connection to oneself and to others becomes apparent.
In Tai Chi/Qigong, it represents movements that flow upwards, as well as the connection between movements and concepts.
To keep the Fire element in harmony, find ways to express yourself through creative activities and avoid loneliness by volunteering or joining social groups. Practicing the art of ‘self-kindness’ will guard against your thoughts becoming too critical and limiting.
Earth Element describes the planet, the soil, the crops, and home. It is paired with the season of late summer and the colour yellow.
Within our bodies, it is paired with the Spleen and Stomach, and is energetically connected to the muscles and mouth.
Emotionally, it refers
to our ability to digest food as well as life’s experiences. When out of
balance, it represents worry and anxiety. When in balance, one has a sense of
safety, security, and abundance.
In Tai Chi/Qigong it describes movements that are supportive, stable, and balanced.
To keep the Earth element in harmony, it is essential to avoid long-term (chronic) stress and anxiety. Maintaining stability and balance in thoughts, actions and self-care will help prevent burn-out and the depletion of Earth energy.
Metal
Element describes not only silver and gold, but also crystals, essential minerals, and
interestingly, our breath. It is paired
with the season of autumn and the colour white.
It represents a period where leaves and seeds fall, crops
are harvested and collected, and the air grows colder.
Within our bodies, Metal is energetically connected with
the nose, skin, and hair and is paired with the Lungs and Large Intestine.
Emotionally, it refers to our ability to ‘let go’ and evolve.
When in balance, Metal is associated with self-awareness and mental clarity;
when out of balance, it results in excessive grief/sadness and ‘dwelling in the
past’.
In Tai Chi/Qigong, it represents movements that descend and
disperse.
‘Pining for what could have been’ can deplete Lung and
Metal energy, so cultivating an ‘attitude of gratitude’, recognising your
accomplishments, acknowledging what is ‘going well’ in life, will help maintain
a positive perspective.
Water Element describes the oceans, the rivers, the rains, water vapour/clouds, as well as the water contained within our bodies.
It is paired with the season of winter and the colour
black, (or very dark blue). It represents a period of retreat, contemplation,
hibernation, and regeneration.
Within our bodies, it is paired with the Kidneys and
Bladder, and is energetically connected to the ears, bones, and marrow
(including the brain and spinal cord).
Emotionally, it refers to solitude and our ability to incubate
and re-nourish. When out of balance, Water is associated with fear, but when in
balance it represents courage.
In Tai Chi/Qigong, it represents movements that spiral, and
flow downwards.
To keep Water in harmony, it is important to understand
that the Kidneys are the ‘reserve pool’ of vitality in the body, supplying extra
Qi to the organs when needed. Avoid pushing yourself beyond reasonable limits,
such as working or exercising too much—the typical “work hard, play hard”
approach to life. Make time to catch up on sleep and incorporate restful mental
and physical activities into your daily routine.
5 Elements quick reference table:
|
|
WOOD |
FIRE |
EARTH |
METAL |
WATER |
|
SEASON |
spring |
summer |
late summer |
autumn |
winter |
|
COLOUR |
green |
red |
yellow |
white |
black |
|
CULTIVATION |
emerge |
grow |
fruition |
reap |
restore |
|
ORGANS |
Liver/ Gallbladder |
Heart/Small Intestine |
Spleen/ Stomach |
Lungs/ Large
Intestine |
Kidneys/ Bladder |
|
BODY STRUCTURE |
sinews/eyes |
tongue/ blood vessels |
muscles/ mouth |
skin/hair/ nose |
bones/ marrow |
|
EMOTIONS |
anger/ patience |
cruelty/joy |
worry/ security |
grief/ clarity |
fear/ courage |
|
MOVEMENT |
flex/extend |
upwards |
supportive |
dispersing |
spiral |
The universe is always moving, changing and our environment and lives follow those patterns of movement and change. Winter becomes spring; Water becomes Wood; stillness shifts into movement; fear gives way to perseverance, (Black, 2021).
Reflect on the phases of your day; reflect upon the changes
in your emotions and how you adapt to situations. Practice your Tai Chi/Qigong
and notice how your movements change and flow. The 5 Elements provides the
framework for understanding and adapting to those changes, both obvious and
subtle.
Resources:
Chen, Yuan (2014). Legitimation Discourse and the Theory
of the Five Elements in Imperial China.
https://www.academia.edu/23276848/_Legitimation_Discourse_and_the_Theory_of_the_Five_Elements_in_Imperial_China._Journal_of_Song-Yuan_Studies_44_2014_325-364:
Journal of Song-Yuan Studies.
"Traditional
Chinese Medicine: In Depth". National Centre for Complementary and
Integrative Health. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 30
June 2021.
Hafner, Christopher.
"The TCM Organ Systems (Zang Fu)". University of Minnesota. Archived
from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
Ni, M., 1995. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine:
A New Translation. first ed. Boston: Shambhala
Black, C., 2021. Big Tree Healing [online] https://www.bigtreehealing.com/5-element-theory/
[Accessed: 30 June 2021]
Shen-Nong [online] https://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/whatfiveelements.html
[Accessed: 30 June 2021]
© Copyright Heather H. Reade 2021. All Rights Reserved