Element massage therapist Cara Heerdt offers some words of wisdom on finding balance in the transition between seasons.
Photo courtesy of Prospect Park
Each season is an entirely different being, with a different agenda, energy and effect. All the seasons work together to create a balanced and self-sustaining environment. So many of my wonderful and mindful clients also have a goal of creating a balanced and sustainable life for themselves. My advice is look to the environment for inspiration and guidance. Traditional Chinese medicine, a healing practice that has been successful for thousands of years, includes the seasons as part of its anatomical model. TCM is a powerful aid in creating balance, and we can also use common sense to create a harmonious rhythm with our environment that will support us.
In the spring, the soil of the earth is working hard to nurture and produce the early stages of life. In the summer the soil supports the blossoming of the spring’s work for harvest. In the fall the soil is busy re-absorbing all the nutrients that are given back from fallen fruit and leaves. And in the winter the soil rests. There is a deepening. And because of this respite, aided by the darkness of these short wintery days, the earth opens back up into spring with a freshness that is only made possible by the winter.
Right now we are nearing the end of autumn and getting ready to enter the deep, dark and beautifully simple season of winter. As the soil rests under blankets of ice and the trees let go of their last leaves to show of the simple beauty of their skeletons, we can let go of the excesses of our lives to have a more connected and balanced winter. Eating seasonally is good for so many reasons, among them, the concept that the energy in the winter root vegetables is designed to sustain us in this season. Root vegetables are warming and hearty, as are the spices associated with this season, like cinnamon and clove.
In our culture, there is a lot of pressure to be constantly productive. But in the winter, I know I am nurturing the products created by my future, my spring self by resting under warm blankets and cozying up to my loved ones. This season is not only a time to give yourself a break but also to honor your deepest connections, whatever those mean to you.
I am grateful for my bones, my deepest, densest bodily structure, just as the trees honor their skeletons. I honor my family and closest friends, looking to the winter holidays as a great reminder. I believe that if you let yourself emulate your environment then, just like two tones complimenting each other, harmony is created.
So, if you tend to feel out of sorts as the days grow shorter and colder, just remember to give yourself a break, because it is necessary for ultimate balance. Let the darkness draw you deeper into your body. Let your pelvis root you to the ground. Let yourself rest.