The Oriental approach to well being
Yin and Yang
In ancient China, the sages observed that all life was in a state
of constant transformation. They saw two seemingly opposite yet
complimentary polarities at work in all things and named these
two poles Yin and Yang. The nature of Yin is soft, yielding cooling,
passive and nurturing. The nature of Yang is forceful, firm, warming,
active and energising.
They saw that all things are subject to cycles of change, through
the interaction of these Yin and Yang qualities. We have winter;
a time when nature is less active, growing things lie dormant
and the weather is cold. This season is Yin. As the seasons change
winter transforms into summer, when nature is more active and
the weather is warm. This season is Yang.
They noticed that human beings required similar cyclic change
to maintain health. For example; at night we sleep to rest and
recharge ourselves (Yin). During the day we expend more energy
performing our daily activities (Yang). When we are cold (Yin),
we shiver which produces heat (Yang). If we are hot (Yang) we
sweat to cool down (Yin). They observed that this constant transformation
was how all life kept itself in balance.
Qi (Chi)
In traditional oriental medicine we acknowledge a life force
which permeates our every living cell and manifests in all our
life processes, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This
life force is called Qi. When Qi flows freely Yin and Yang are
in harmony, and we enjoy good health.
If this flow is impeded the Yin/Yang balance within our body
is disturbed allowing pain and disease to arise. There are several
ways in which the body's energy can be disrupted e.g. physical
injury, poor lifestyle, stress, or emotional trauma. At Back to
Balance we aim to eliminate the root cause of the problem restoring
health on all levels.
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