When the Wind Blows: Easing Seasonal Imbalance with Qigong & TCM

Spring and the Wood Element: Growth, Expansion, and Emotional Balance

As the seasons shift, so do we. March 20 marked the Spring Equinox, and here on the Front Range of Colorado, spring didn’t arrive quietly—it came with wind. Lots of it.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is ruled by the Wood element—the energy of growth, expansion, and upward movement, like sprouts pushing through soil. It’s a time for creativity, movement, and vision. But when Wood energy is out of balance, we may feel irritable, tense, or even downright agitated.

How Wind Affects Qi and Your Emotional State in Traditional Chinese Medicine

And then there’s the Wind.

Wind in TCM is considered a pathogenic force that can disrupt the smooth flow of Qi (life energy), both physically and emotionally. For me, I noticed feeling especially flustered on days I had to move my Zoom classes indoors because of the gusts blowing over the Continental Divide. The wind in my ears—even with a hat on—left me scattered and tense…until I figured out that popping earbuds in helped calm my nervous system.

This personal observation reminded me of something deeper:
Even natural changes can stir up discomfort. And that’s okay.

Softening Into Spring: Using Qigong to Cultivate Flexibility and Flow

In my Qigong practice, we tune in to what’s happening both inside and outside. We don’t fight the wind or the shifting energy of spring—we move with it. We embody it. And in doing so, we soften.

💨 Emotionally, Wind and Wood relate to anger, frustration, and restlessness—things many of us feel during transitional times. Qigong helps by regulating the liver and gallbladder, the organs most connected to this season, and by guiding us back to flexibility, patience, and flow.

I’ve also been thinking about the word “soft.” My physical therapist recently told me to walk softly to correct some ankle imbalances. That simple cue stuck with me. It’s a beautiful metaphor for how we can meet this season—not with force, but with presence.

But is softness always preferable? Is “soft” better than “hard”? In nature, we see that Wood can be both. Pine is flexible and soft, while maple is dense and strong. Both serve a purpose.

Wood Energy in TCM: Finding Strength in Softness Through Yoga & Qigong

In TCM, there is no moral hierarchy between qualities. Anger, frustration, assertiveness—these are all natural expressions of Wood energy. They are signals, not flaws. The goal is not to suppress these states but to recognize them with curiosity and compassion. When we do this, we allow ourselves to remain in relationship with our emotions rather than be ruled by them.

This idea extends beyond the personal. In our wider society, especially in times of political unrest, we hear accusations that those who seek peace, equity, or kindness are “too soft.” But what if softness isn’t weakness at all—but a form of gentle strength? A flexible tree can bend without breaking.

Practices like yoga and qigong invite us to explore that very balance—how to be soft and strong at the same time. In a world that can feel harsh and divisive, these practices root us in our bodies, in breath, in discernment. They remind us that walking softly doesn’t mean giving in; it means moving with intention and causing less harm.

🌱 So if you're feeling tight in your body, agitated in your mind, or just ready for something new, come practice with me.