Embodying Spring

Many of our colloquial expressions capture the essence of Spring: “Spring cleaning”, “April showers bring May flowers”, even the reference to “the birds and the bees” as a euphemism for sex and reproduction. As the time of year when the earth literally surges back into life, Spring is energetically the season of rebirth, renewal, growth, and creativity.

In qigong, the vernal equinox marks the transition from water-element Winter into wood-element Spring. Wood element is associated with the color green, the processes of growth, transition, outward expansion, movement, creative drive. Our wood element channels and organs are the Liver and Gallbladder, which govern the tendons and the eyes. When the qi is balanced in these organs and channels, the cycles of our bodies function as they should, we have a broad perspective that allows us to see all our options, and we’re able to move freely in any direction we choose. 

In the chakra system, the energy of Spring resonates in our 2nd and 6th chakras. Second chakra (Sacral Chakra) holds the energy of our creativity, reproduction and procreation, connection to others, and our drive for life. Sixth chakra (Third Eye) holds the energy of vision, insight, dreams, and imagination. The functions of these chakras align nicely with the wood element in qigong - all of the energy we experience at this time of year revolves around growth, change, creativity, sexuality and sensuality, planning, moving, and re-emerging from the stillness of Winter.

This week, embody the essense of Spring with movements that twist, sidebend, and expand the body out in all directions; qigong and yoga exercises that nourish the qi of the eyes; and practices that help shift and process anger, the emotion that overwhelms the Liver.