Hello friends
and welcome to this month’s Joyinmovement newsletter,
and welcome to this month’s Joyinmovement newsletter,
I sat down recently and talked with my friend and
colleague, Felix Wolf. For the past 12 years Felix has been an
acupuncturist and practitioner of Oriental Medicine. What was our
conversation topic? Liver Qi Stagnation, which Felix calls the current
curse of mankind.
colleague, Felix Wolf. For the past 12 years Felix has been an
acupuncturist and practitioner of Oriental Medicine. What was our
conversation topic? Liver Qi Stagnation, which Felix calls the current
curse of mankind.
Keep reading to
find out what Liver Qi Stagnation is, how it forms and how to get rid of
it. You know that if I’m devoting a whole Joyinmovement newsletter to
Liver Qi Stagnation, it MUST be important!
find out what Liver Qi Stagnation is, how it forms and how to get rid of
it. You know that if I’m devoting a whole Joyinmovement newsletter to
Liver Qi Stagnation, it MUST be important!
Let me give you
some context for our discussion.
some context for our discussion.
As opposed to
Western Medicine, which is based on Newtonian physics (on matter and
substance), Oriental Medicine is more related to quantum physics.
Therefore, it is primarily concerned with the energetic matrix of the
human body, with the flow and balance of the energy fields that are
responsible for the proper functioning of all our vital systems.
Western Medicine, which is based on Newtonian physics (on matter and
substance), Oriental Medicine is more related to quantum physics.
Therefore, it is primarily concerned with the energetic matrix of the
human body, with the flow and balance of the energy fields that are
responsible for the proper functioning of all our vital systems.
According to
Oriental Medicine, this energetic matrix is comprised of 5 major energy
systems that pertain to different vital functions. One of these 5
systems is referred to as the Liver, because its functions are closely
related to the liver organ of Western Medicine. It is, however,
important to note that the Liver system in Oriental Medicine is a
functional and energetic entity and not a physical organ.
Oriental Medicine, this energetic matrix is comprised of 5 major energy
systems that pertain to different vital functions. One of these 5
systems is referred to as the Liver, because its functions are closely
related to the liver organ of Western Medicine. It is, however,
important to note that the Liver system in Oriental Medicine is a
functional and energetic entity and not a physical organ.
It’s interesting to
note that acupuncture, the core discipline of Oriental Medicine, is
over 3000 years old. At that time the doctors did not care nor did they
know what the inside of the human body looked like. They only cared
about the proper function of the body.
note that acupuncture, the core discipline of Oriental Medicine, is
over 3000 years old. At that time the doctors did not care nor did they
know what the inside of the human body looked like. They only cared
about the proper function of the body.
Why is the liver
system so crucial? The main purpose of the Liver system is to assure the
smooth movement of energy (qi) throughout the body, and as such it is
of crucial importance.
system so crucial? The main purpose of the Liver system is to assure the
smooth movement of energy (qi) throughout the body, and as such it is
of crucial importance.
Energy or Qi is
fundamental. Oriental Medicine is based on matter following energy. In
practical terms think of blood, fluids, and lymph, for example, as
matter. In order for them to flow properly the energy channels must be
flowing smoothly. Perceiving your body as a conglomerate of moving
energy fields and channels will help you see that energy must always be
flowing. When there is stagnation, your health suffers and problems
arise.
fundamental. Oriental Medicine is based on matter following energy. In
practical terms think of blood, fluids, and lymph, for example, as
matter. In order for them to flow properly the energy channels must be
flowing smoothly. Perceiving your body as a conglomerate of moving
energy fields and channels will help you see that energy must always be
flowing. When there is stagnation, your health suffers and problems
arise.
Another interesting
point that Felix brought up is that the liver energy system is
connected to vision and sensory organs. I’ll refer back to this in a
minute, but I want you to make note of this connection.
point that Felix brought up is that the liver energy system is
connected to vision and sensory organs. I’ll refer back to this in a
minute, but I want you to make note of this connection.
Some physical
symptoms of liver qi stagnation are: a lump in your throat and frequent
sighing.
symptoms of liver qi stagnation are: a lump in your throat and frequent
sighing.
Some emotional
symptoms are feelings of irritability, anger, frustration, impatience,
intolerance, and righteousness.
symptoms are feelings of irritability, anger, frustration, impatience,
intolerance, and righteousness.
For women there are
PMS and irregular cycle symptoms.
PMS and irregular cycle symptoms.
When the liver
system is stagnant it builds pressure and compromises other systems. One
system that gets compromised is the digestive system. Because of this,
there will often be digestive issues such as bloating, indigestion, and
acid reflux. Guys with compromised liver systems are more likely to
experience digestive problems as well as the emotional symptoms I
mentioned earlier. And as Felix points out, if you re-read those
emotional symptoms, they really do reflect so much of the unbalanced
emotions in today’s world.
system is stagnant it builds pressure and compromises other systems. One
system that gets compromised is the digestive system. Because of this,
there will often be digestive issues such as bloating, indigestion, and
acid reflux. Guys with compromised liver systems are more likely to
experience digestive problems as well as the emotional symptoms I
mentioned earlier. And as Felix points out, if you re-read those
emotional symptoms, they really do reflect so much of the unbalanced
emotions in today’s world.
So what causes
liver qi stagnation?
liver qi stagnation?
It’s usually a
combination of things, the two most important ones being lack of
physical movement, overeating, and other dietary habits.
combination of things, the two most important ones being lack of
physical movement, overeating, and other dietary habits.
Let’s look at the
dietary component first. The color that is associated with liver energy
is green, so anything green is good for the liver. Also, anything with a
bitter taste helps move liver energy by stimulating bile which drains
your physical liver.
dietary component first. The color that is associated with liver energy
is green, so anything green is good for the liver. Also, anything with a
bitter taste helps move liver energy by stimulating bile which drains
your physical liver.
Our whole diet has
shifted. We now eat diets based on grains, carbohydrates and sweet
tasting foods. Foods that are fried, alcohol, coffee, and stimulants of
all kinds (including drugs and pharmaceuticals) feed into liver
stagnation. They aggravate and congeal the liver. This kind of diet, as
opposed to one that includes plenty of green foods, and includes bitter
and sour tastes, causes stagnation and energy clumps.
shifted. We now eat diets based on grains, carbohydrates and sweet
tasting foods. Foods that are fried, alcohol, coffee, and stimulants of
all kinds (including drugs and pharmaceuticals) feed into liver
stagnation. They aggravate and congeal the liver. This kind of diet, as
opposed to one that includes plenty of green foods, and includes bitter
and sour tastes, causes stagnation and energy clumps.
Remember I
mentioned the connection between liver qi stagnation and visual
systems?
mentioned the connection between liver qi stagnation and visual
systems?
Think of how much
visual stimulation the average person gets. Consider all the time we
spend watching movies or a computer screen, as well as the myriad of
information our eyes receive every day. All these things aggravate the
liver even more, and the liver energy heats up and rises upwards. As a
consequence you find yourself experiencing red eyes, migraines,
headaches, or simply a stiff neck.
visual stimulation the average person gets. Consider all the time we
spend watching movies or a computer screen, as well as the myriad of
information our eyes receive every day. All these things aggravate the
liver even more, and the liver energy heats up and rises upwards. As a
consequence you find yourself experiencing red eyes, migraines,
headaches, or simply a stiff neck.
It can become a
vicious cycle where the stage for stagnation is set up and then
aggravated over and over again. Because of lack of movement or improper
diet, liver qi stagnation accumulates. It’s already causing problems,
and then it gets aggravated even more by visual over-stimulation. The
energy has no outlet by which to move out of the liver. We start to
express or suppress those emotions that go along with liver stagnation
(like anger and irritability) and the cycle continues. It’s a very
unstable situation and greatly compromises our health and well being.
vicious cycle where the stage for stagnation is set up and then
aggravated over and over again. Because of lack of movement or improper
diet, liver qi stagnation accumulates. It’s already causing problems,
and then it gets aggravated even more by visual over-stimulation. The
energy has no outlet by which to move out of the liver. We start to
express or suppress those emotions that go along with liver stagnation
(like anger and irritability) and the cycle continues. It’s a very
unstable situation and greatly compromises our health and well being.
Here are a few
suggestions for remedies.
suggestions for remedies.
All kinds of
movement helps, and of course remember to throw in a heaping dose of Joy
with those movements. If you’re so inclined and recognized yourself
when I described the symptoms of liver qi stagnation, Felix suggests
giving Liver Qigong a try, in particular 5 Element Qigong. Belly
breathing is also a good remedy, or acupuncture treatments.
movement helps, and of course remember to throw in a heaping dose of Joy
with those movements. If you’re so inclined and recognized yourself
when I described the symptoms of liver qi stagnation, Felix suggests
giving Liver Qigong a try, in particular 5 Element Qigong. Belly
breathing is also a good remedy, or acupuncture treatments.
As for green
remedies, dandelion, artichokes, broccoli, and all lettuces, especially
romaine and arugula are recommended.
remedies, dandelion, artichokes, broccoli, and all lettuces, especially
romaine and arugula are recommended.
In conclusion, all
your energy systems should flow smoothly and freely, and your energy
should be balanced between systems. This is true health and well being.
Any constrictions and interrupted flow will cause problems that we
usually identify as pain. We don’t want excess or deficiency.
your energy systems should flow smoothly and freely, and your energy
should be balanced between systems. This is true health and well being.
Any constrictions and interrupted flow will cause problems that we
usually identify as pain. We don’t want excess or deficiency.
Energy flowing
smoothly and freely…. now that’s a worthwhile goal for the new year!
smoothly and freely…. now that’s a worthwhile goal for the new year!
Have a
wonderful transition into 2010 and I look forward to giving you another
year’s worth of Joyinmovement newsletters!
wonderful transition into 2010 and I look forward to giving you another
year’s worth of Joyinmovement newsletters!
shelli
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