Springtime Doyo
Let me begin by sharing an interesting concept that is based in Japanese culture called Doyo, which means 'end of seasons'. Doyo is a special period of 18 days before the first day of each season; our most recent Doyo was the transition from Winter to Spring. In America, the first day of a season is marked by the solstice or equinox while in many other culture, this is marked on the midpoints between them. For example, in America, the first day of Autumn is September 22nd, while in Japan and other countries, it's August 7th.
The Doyo is a time of transitioning where many illnesses that may lie dormant or are unresolved can arise as the qi is strongly shifting. I noticed this Spring Doyo that many people who have chronic illnesses had a flair up, a friend of mine who has been having a tumultuous pregnancy had to be admitted to the hospital because the baby was trying to come too early (excess qi in the universe), and a family member passed, unable to renew themselves this year.
In Chinese Acupuncture, we have special treatments that we use specifically during the transition within Doyo periods to prepare for the next season. It is recommended to get these treatments between every season as it helps strengthen the body during these transitions and is a good time to speak with you Chinese medical doctor about what the next season symbolizes and how to live harmoniously within it.
Spring and the Wood Element
The element of Spring is Wood as the qi of this time is shooting up and expansive, much like the new growth you see in your garden and the buds covering the trees. The organs associated with this time are Liver and Gallbladder which means that emotionally, this is a time when anger and frustration can arise do to an imbalance within these organs; kindness and forgiveness is experienced when there is balance.
The challenge of Springtime is 'Renewal and Birth'; it gives us a chance to explore our hopes for the future and envision how we want to live. When Wood is balance, we clearly see what the next step is and feel excited and energized to plant the garden, begin a new job, or start a creative project that has been waiting to be born.
Wood Imbalance
- Inflexible, rigid, and stiff body or mental attitude (Wood Qi stagnation)
- May experience hormonal imbalance, shoulder or neck tension, headaches
- Quick to anger, frustration, negativity, or depression (Wood Qi stagnation/deficiency/excess)
- Timid and afraid to assert oneself (Wood Deficiency), or too push and domineering (Wood Excess)
- Struggles with indecision (Deficiency) or impulse decision-making (Excess)
- Symptoms become worse with stress, in the spring, or in windy conditions
Balanced Wood
- Flexible mental attitude and body, with strong tendons and easy movement
- Stable mood and energy, balanced hormones
- Sense of inner purpose; able to envision what comes next
- Adapts to change and moves forward in life
- Calmly makes plans and executes decisions after careful assessment of a situation
- Appears harmonious and in the flow of life, with little stress or tension
Food, Flavors and Herbs for Spring
Green, upward growing vegetables provide the Rising Yang Qi that begins to move during the Wood Phase. Eating these foods- asparagus tops the list- adds a healthy dose of active energy to your body. Other foods that embody the Rising Yang Qi are clergy, boo toy, romaine lettuce, and all the leafy vegetables that grow toward the sun. in addition to the upward reaching foods, spreading seeds have enormous quantities of qi for the purpose of pushing up into the light. Add sprouts to your diet and you will take in that same vitality, along with a good dose of B vitamins and enzymes that facilitate digestion.
The sour flavor dynamically influences the Liver Network: its astringent contracting action releases stagnation from the Liver and moves qi upward. Sourness also assists in the digestion of fatty foods and proteins. This is a yin flavor, so you should not overdo it in the Rising Yang Qi season. For example, you can safely drink lemon water in the morning to balance the burgeoning Yang Qi, but doing it every day may cause too much contraction.
Wood Balancing Dietary/Emotional Advice
- Drink fresh lemon juice in water first thing in the morning. (Sour is the flavor of wood)
- Add raw veggies and cooked greens to the daily diet
- Eat lightly, with fewer heavy meats and fats
- Cut down all preservatives, refined foods, sweets and anything that is slow to digest (heavy meats, hard cheeses, raw salad, dense bread)
- Exercise at least for times a week
- Avoid sugar, alcohol, and caffeine
- Practice taking a step back and gaining perspective before reacting to frustration
Foods that Relax the liver and move the qi
- asparagus
- bupleurum
- cabbage
- lemon, basil
- black pepper
- cayenne
- celery
- coconut milk
- dill
- garlic
- ginger
- safflower oil
We've now covered important energetic information to better prepare you this Spring and allow you to live more harmoniously and healthfully. If you have recipes you'd like to share or any questions/comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you! Collin
1. Qigong Through the Seasons, Davis, Ronald H. Singing Dragon 2015
2. Rhythms of Change, Suanders, Mary. Hidden Needle Press 2014
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