Water, one of the five elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), symbolizes adaptability, depth, and renewal.

In qigong practice, the word qi often gets translated as "life force" or "energy." For a long time, I thought of qi as a “thing”—something that flows, yes, but more like an invisible fluid moving through my body.

With fall upon us, it's the perfect time to tune into the qualities of the Metal element and discover how its properties—both energetically and through the actual metals that surround us—can help bring balance into our lives. Today, we'll explore the connection between Yi and the Metal element and how incorporating metals into your environment, like jewelry, sculptures, or even furniture, can support your well-being.

In TCM, the Five Element theory provides a holistic framework to understand how the different aspects of health—diet, movement, and emotions—are interconnected with nature. Each element corresponds to a season, organ system, and various bodily functions. Here’s a quick overview:

For over 30 years, I was trapped in the relentless cycle of dieting, struggling with the toxic influences of diet culture, negative body image, and the pressures of exercise culture. This trifecta led me into a whirlpool of disordered eating, which disrupted my natural ability to listen to my body’s needs and damaged my relationship with food and movement.

Have you ever caught yourself munching on a snack while checking emails or watching your favorite show? We’ve all been there, caught up in the whirlwind of life, trying to do a million things at once.

As we bask in the warmth of midsummer, the vibrant energy of the Fire element in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is at its peak. This season, marked by long days and abundant sunshine, invites us to cultivate the radiant qualities of the heart and lungs.

One of my favorite quotes about eating is, "It's not what you eat, it's how you eat it." This simple yet profound statement has reshaped my perspective on food and body image, especially as I navigated the tumultuous waters of perimenopause and post menopause.

Mindful eating is about more than just consuming food; it's about becoming aware of the positive and nurturing opportunities available through food preparation and consumption.

This morning, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, as they say. I was mad at everything and everyone, mad at the world. Observing my emotions as best as I could, the first thing I did was a light RAIN practice at my altar.

In this post, we'll explore the fascinating connection between the Wood Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine, our body’s organs, and the transformative practice of Tai Chi 18, also known as Shibashi Qigong.

In a world where dieting fads come and go, many are discovering the lasting benefits of mindful eating. Rather than adhering to rigid rules, mindful eating is about fostering a positive relationship with food through awareness and appreciation.

Nature offers beautiful examples of the balance between strength and flexibility. Consider bamboo, which grows tall and strong yet remains flexible due to its hollow structure. In Qigong, physical postures like the Wuji stance, horse stance, and Hugging the Tree not only build strength and flexibility in the body but also in the mind.

In the realm of Chinese Five Element Theory, the Wood Element symbolizes the essence of spring, embodying growth, renewal, and upward momentum. It's about finding stability and root amidst the ever-changing seasons of life, and for many, a consistent mindfulness practice serves as the anchor.

Ever found yourself knee-deep in a bag of chips or drowning in a sea of peanut butter cups without even realizing how you got there? Yeah, been there, done that.

Let’s delve into the concept of "fat talk," a prevalent yet often overlooked phenomenon that permeates our culture and many others.

Hey there! Let's talk about something close to my heart: the magic of moving slowly, just like in Qigong.

In the realm of yoga and qigong, where every breath and movement holds the potential for transformation, I find myself truly humbled by the strength and resilience of those I have had the privilege to guide on their journey towards recovery from eating disorders.

I want to address something that many on the path to healing from eating disorders face – the intersection of disordered eating with conditions like IBS, OCD, and trauma.

It's often said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In your journey toward healing and self-discovery, that single step is curiosity.