Shifting Seasons
With everything shifting, it seems we are searching for a sense of stability. The seasons are changing... the weather is changing...
And then there is the impact of the pandemic.
We feel like we are swinging on a pendulum. Or maybe we feel like we are being thrashed about in an ocean storm.
But it’s time to get off of pendulum. Stop fighting the waves and let the calm overtake you.
How do we do this when we are endlessly tossed around?
We have to realize that we have the power to step off the pendulum anytime we choose... that once we can control the storm inside of ourselves, the waves calm on their own.
Imagine yourself on a violently swinging pendulum. If you take a breath really open your eyes, you will see that there is solid ground right in front of you. Can you do it? Can you take that breath?
Good.
Now… take the leap.
Close your eyes.
Take another breath… and 1.. 2… 3… Jump…
The Earth will catch you.
Were you able to leap?
Whether you were or not… it’s okay. The most important thing is that you realize that you are on the pendulum. It’s not to get the pendulum to stop… It’s to understand that you don’t need to be on it.
Sounds simple?
Well… personally, it took me years to realize I was even on a pendulum and many months to make the leap.
How did I do it? I had support. Through meditation, visualization, the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Faith, I was able to take the leap onto solid ground.
There are many tools available to prime your body to ground your spirit. Acupressure can help you to gently stimulate points on your body to prepare you to take that leap. I would like to share with you some acupressure points that can help you ground yourself and weather the storm.
Kidney 3 (Taixi)
This point is extremely grounding and can help to bring your awareness back into your body. In TCM, the Kidneys are responsible for supporting the entire body and spirit. Kidney 3 is located on the inside of your ankle, in the depression between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. This point may be tender, so be gentle when applying pressure.
Stomach 36 (Zusanli)
Not only does Stomach 36 help you to ground yourself, it also nourish the Qi and Blood of your entire body. Stomach 36 is located on the shin below the kneecap, about a finger's width lateral to the tibial tuberosity - that little bump below the knee cap. Even though this point is tender, you may find that you have increased energy and focus after stimulating it for a few minutes.
Ren 17 and Pericardium 6 (Nei Guan)
Ren 17 and Pericardium 6 work together to relieve stress and tension and help you to find your center of calm. Ren 17 is located on the center of your chest on your sternum. You can find it if you count down four ribs starting from your clavicle. You may apply pressure or you may find that gently tapping this point helps to break up some of that "stuck" feeling. Pericardium 6 is located on the inside of the forearm, a few inches above the wrist crease. To find, take the index, middle, and ring fingers of your opposite hand and place them on the crease. Pericardium 6 is located between the two tendons (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis).
Start with Ren 17 to break up of the tension and stagnation, and finish with Pericardium 6 to draw the energy away from your chest. This allows for your body and its Meridians to better process the energy.
Yintang
This point is an absolute essential for opening your vision and finding clarity. It's located right between your eyebrows and can also help to reduce any headaches or dizziness that you may be experiencing due to stress.
Remember... be gentle with yourself. Start by applying firm but gentle pressure with your ring finger to the points. You can always add more. The wonderful thing about using acupressure on yourself is that you learn to listen to your body.
If you are struggling with the shifting seasons in your life, stimulating these points can help you to connect with your body and find support within yourself. But you don't need to do this alone.
If you would like some help, please feel free to contact me. and I would be happy to support you.
