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Summer is nature's season of growth and maturation. Flowers, gardens are growing all around us.
It is also the time when we are equally maturing and growing…..it is a high point where we can
make use of our time through exercise, sports, water therapy, and hikes in nature. We should make
sure we get lots of adequate recreation and sunlight.
The Chinese health philosophy and its theory of the Five Elements give us a good awareness of this
change, both in nature and in our bodies, which really matter to each other. Energy must stay in
motion within us and in our life in order to continue to nourish us and create harmony.
We must learn to flow as nature does, through the seasons. Tension happens when we resist this flow,
and illness can occur when we resist our changes. Illness is usually a process which makes us more
receptive, more open to change. This "awareness" is a great value to teach us about ourselves and
how to stay in balance.
The element associated with summer is fire and is governed by the heart and small intestine. On a
mental health level, the heart is responsible for giving us the ability to rule and see things
clearly, and touches us in a compassionate way. The small intestine serves to help us assimilation
food and receive and digest the food. These two systems help us assimilate the things around us
and separate what is pure and impure. It has been said they are like the official who guides the
subjects in their joys and pleasures.
The emotions associated with this element are joy and sadness. Excessive joy or laughter, can be
a damaging as excessive sadness.
Fire is the most active element and relates to the energy of creativity, intuition, and motion.
It helps us manifest what we want in life.
Exercise, herbs, proper amounts of sun, and enjoyment are a key factor in balancing your physical,
emotional, mental, and spiritual self during the summer. It is a chance to be with yourself-your
body, your feelings, your mind, breath, and environment. Make a deal with yourself and begin to
creating space for yourself today!
Mari M. Richko is a licensed body-centered psychotherapist and nationally certified shiatsu
therapist. She is an educator in Energy Medicine, life wellness programs, and practices different
forms of holistic psychotherapy.
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