Embracing the Yin Nature of Winter
How do we adapt to the Yin flow of nature when the holidays are often the busiest time of year?
Growing up, winter was my favorite season. It was a time when nature slowed down, ice covered the tree branches, grasses, and flowers outside — everything was preserved, as if frozen in time. To me, winter is a period of stillness, reflection, and a time to come back to the self. A stark contrast to the bright, liveliness of spring.
According to TCM, winter is the most Yin season of the year. It’s a time when nature slows down to rest, nourish, and conserve to prepare for the growth of spring. We can see this seasonal change reflected in nature all around us. During this Yin period, many plants and animals slow down, rest, and hibernate.
The seasonal and energetic flow of nature reflects the balance of Yin and Yang — fire and water, active and passive, night and day. Yin and Yang are not opposing forces but work together in harmony to complement and complete one another. Yin exists within Yang, and Yang exists within Yin. Yin and Yang are often represented as fish because they’re moving, in flux, and not fixed or constant. When the tail of one fish ends, the head of the other fish begins. Together, they form a whole, like the changing seasons.
In TCM, winter is connected to the water element and is associated with the kidneys, Jing (life essence), willpower, and gratitude for life. From a TCM perspective, water is one of the most important elements. Water gives life to all things on earth. In Qigong, tonifying water helps balance out excessive fire and nourishes our Jing, which supports our health, longevity, and aging process.
Jing Qi is the Qi we are born with that we inherit from our parents and the universe. It’s like our energy DNA and is stored in the kidneys. If acquired Qi — the Qi we absorb through food, water, and air — is like our energy bank account (where Qi is spent and replenished quickly), then Jing Qi is like our energy savings account — it is depleted slowly over the course of our lifetime. I like to view acquired Qi and Jing Qi as two separate energy bars in a video game. When our acquired Qi becomes depleted, we tap into our Jing Qi reserves. This happens when we overwork and push past fatigue. Outside of pushing past fatigue and burnout — which causes us to tap into our Jing Qi reserves — Jing Qi is naturally depleted over the course of our lifetime.
In Qigong, there are two main methods for nourishing Jing and increasing quality of life: conserving Qi and investing Qi. We can conserve our Qi through rest, emotional regulation, nutrition, intention, breathwork, and Qigong. We can invest our Qi through Qigong practices that convert Jing to Qi to Shen (like the microcosmic orbit) and practices that condense and nourish the Qi in the Lower Dantian (like Dantian breathing). Transforming Jing to Qi to Shen is a process of internal alchemy that refines and nourishes our Jing Qi, allowing us to use it more effectively over time and increasing our vitality.
In a society that favors busyness and productivity, especially during the holidays, how can we slow down and embrace the Yin flow of nature? There’s a saying, “it’s not what you do, but how you do it.” Slowing down doesn’t always mean doing less. For some, slowing down means embracing the flow of life and doing what we need to with a greater sense of relaxation, purpose, and ease.
We can see this perspective being applied to our Qigong practice through the concept of “Wei Wu Wei” or “effortless effort.” When one takes an attitude of effortless effort, they are embracing the natural current of life, instead of trying to swim against it. This method of going with the flow — or listening to and moving with the Qi — is a yin attitude that allows us to deepen our awareness so that we can use our Qi in more productive and conscious ways that better support our needs. Surrendering to the flow of life conserves our Qi, reduces stress, and relaxes the nervous system.
Through the lens of Qigong and TCM, winter is a time to nourish and conserve our Qi (life-force energy). So, what self-care practices support and nourish your Qi during the winter season?
Practices to support your Qi during the winter season:
Self-care practices that generate relaxation, peacefulness, and self-love
Self-massage, gua sha, and myofascial release
Use hydrating body oils
Warm baths, foot soaks, and proper clothing — keep the body warm
Get plenty of sleep — take naps if you feel fatigued
Avoid overworking or overexerting yourself physically and emotionally
Breathing exercises
Nutrition and lifestyle — eat warm, nourishing foods
Practice Qigong flows for the water element, kidneys, spine, and bones — focus on tonifying the kidney Qi and water element
Journal, read, and meditate
Drink herbal tea
Take a “less is more” attitude — prioritize rest and self-preservation — do nothing at all
Reflection questions:
How would you like to spend your energy? How are you currently spending your energy?
What makes you feel calm and peaceful?
How do you nourish your Qi when you’re fatigued or busy?
What’s your relationship to rest and slowing down?
What’s your relationship to the winter season?
How do you express your willpower?
In what ways can you release control and go with the flow of life?
How do you find balance between conscious action and conscious inaction?
What are you grateful for?
Would you like to move with a greater sense of relaxation, purpose, and ease? Move with Love offers Qigong classes both in person and online. For more information, visit www.movewlove.com.
