Chinese Medicine and Fear
Photo Dave Imms
As we begin to slowly and gently emerge from our winter cocoon, there are a few things to consider when it comes to our health and mental wellbeing.
In Chinese Medicine, the Winter season is the most Yin of all the seasons. It is governed by the Element of Water, which embodies deep stillness and ultimate reflection. This time of year can feel slow and intense so the urge to push ourselves beyond what is needed is strong. Spring doesn’t start in Chinese Medicine until March 20th, so this reminds us not to rush our emergence from the darker months.
Each season in Chinese medicine has organs, an emotion, smell, colour and sound that are associated with each transitional phase of the year. Winter is connected with the Kidneys and Bladder which govern our essence, energy levels, our sexual organs, sexual appetite & urination. The emotion for Water is Fear; primal fear to be specific. This is the drive to survive. The colour associated is blue, the smell is putrid and the sound is groaning.
Photo Dave Imms
If we consider that the Kidneys and Bladder which are also very much intertwined with the Adrenal Glands, the concept of ‘fear’ being heightened during this time feels significant and poignant. When we are forced into fight, flight or freeze due to our everyday lives, this can drain our kidney energy over time. If this is your default setting, the chances are you could be stuck in a cycle of fear – adrenaline – kidney depletion – fear – adrenaline and so on. The stronger our Kidney energy is, the easier we will find it to balance our fears & our nervous system.
The Adrenals sit just above your Kidneys and are in charge of distributing hormones throughout the body that regulate a number of systems. These systems include your blood pressure, response to threats/stress (adrenaline & cortisol), immunity and they also produce hormones such as oestrogen/androgens.
With our recent experiences during the pandemic, we have clearly witnessed the importance of our self-awareness of our bodies and experiences. The greatest tool we can use at any time is our ability to ‘tune in’ to what our bodies are communicating to us. This is a type of reflection that the Water element encourages us to do.
Photo Dave Imms
Even though the pull to rush around and regain a sense of normality is palpable, we very much need to be considerate of our Kidney energy. By tuning into our bodies, we can consciously make changes to support ourselves. When it comes to feeling fear or in being adrenalised, different parts of our bodies with often communicate with us; whether you feel it in your stomach, your heart space or maybe it can even make you need the toilet more. These markers will teach you how to recognise when you need to stop and recharge your battery pack.
By cultivating kidney energy, we can be prepared for the next season of Wood, in which expansion and growth is expected. We can strengthen our kidneys through energy building exercises such as Qi Gong and Tai Chi, powerful energy balancing medicine such as acupuncture and acupressure and just by taking the time to stop, regroup and find joy.
Photo Dave Imms
If we consider the opposite of fear is safety and courage, before you feel that maybe things may become out of control, tune into what makes you feel safe and access your well of courage to embody containment and stillness.
About Author
Maudie Evitt
Maudie is a 5 Element & Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner living and working in London. She lives with her partner Tom and dog Sugar. Maudie specialises in women's health and mental/emotional wellbeing. Her true passion is facilitating true change with her clients, by guiding them to 'tune in'. Maudie believes we all have the capability of living full & healthy lives, sometimes we just need a little help. Maudie has a studio in Shoreditch, East London.Leave a Reply to Masha Karpushina Cancel reply
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15 Comments
Tammy Olson
At first, I thought it odd to have an article about Chinese medicine on a Fabric site. Glad I did not dismiss it because there is much value in understanding how our bodies work and understanding that what we put into it and *onto* it does matter to our health.
Nancy Stockman
Thank you Maudie for a great article full of good stuff. I have been greatly helped by acupuncture but never knew the seasons info or the concept of transitions. So much food for thought. I’m grateful FS is including your articles as they reinforce my whole mindset in using linen to clothe myself–wholeness, natural purity if you will, cleanness, simplicity.
connie volpi
i appreciated the chinese medicine theory. but would appreciate even more the pattern for her great top and type of linen it is sewn out of!!!
Pat Gaumer
I loved the article & the linen top also. Found a pattern on fairandsimple.com . I will be using IL019 BLEACHED FS Signature Finish I just received. This linen is beautiful & has a great hand.
Masha Karpushina
Maudie is wearing our Augustina Top. All info including fabric is here. Enjoy! https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2019/06/25/agustina-boxy-top-tutorial/
Masha Karpushina
Maudie is wearing our Augustina Top. All info including fabric is here. Enjoy! https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2019/06/25/agustina-boxy-top-tutorial/
Susan Hoffman
I’m new here so this is the first of these posts I’ve read, I found it very informative.
I’ve just recently discovered diaphragmatic breathing.
While doing simple deep breathing with a friend, intended to help slow my mind that can tend to run like a hamster wheel, I happened to slip into the deeper “belly breathing”.
I discovered peace and safety and the connection to our creator within my own self in a way I had never experienced before.
Because of ECT my body was stuck in fight or flight, diaphragmatic breathing allows the body to calm down, you literally tap into the “safety valve” physiologically and allow the stress chemicals to dissipate.
Whatever approach you use slowing down and tuning into our bodies will help us all be more healthy – and then our creativity will flow even better!
Blessings to all, Susie
Cassandra Tondro
I love your articles on art, Chinese medicine and other topics. They’re always well written and relevant to our lives. Your fabrics are lovely, and these articles complement a well-rounded company and the quality you are aiming for. Thank you for expanding our vision and knowledge.
Sidney Norledge
I find it wonderfully serendipitous that you are speaking of kidney energy and the link with our ability to feel safe-something I am allowing more of in my own life now. I enjoy the cycles of reflection/realization, rebalancing and expansion and had not considered that the change of seasons could support this process. Thank you for another thoughtful article.
Sherry Berbit
As per Cynthia’s comment- why not do both? This article came at a time that I am supporting a Chinese friend who is in a health crisis. It reminded me about the impact of culture on us. I appreciate your forays into art, history, fashion, culture, etc etc. They are always well written and provide me with something to consider, and often enjoy.
Elaine Rutledge
I disagree with Cynthia Yamaji-Glueck. I appreciate the expansion of our perceptions and viewpoints. As children we live in a small, protected world. As we grow and develop, that world expands. The more information we have, the better choices we can make. What we, as a society, have neglected is the natural world. In order to grow, it is helpful to study the ancients – such as Asian and Native American peoples. While everything changes, everything remains the same – is the old cliché. Some things are universal, and we all have so much to learn. I love that linen and wool are such “energetic” fibers, and have found improvement in my life with my espousal of linen clothing. While I may wear woolens in the winter, I still sleep in linen, on linen bedding – use linen to clean my house, and dry my dishes, wash my body – and read, listen and be aware to cleanse my soul of the detritus of life.
Donna Fogarty
I agree. I enjoy the posts and find them informative. Keep it up.
Donna Fogarty
cynthia yamaji-glueck
I think that you should sell fabric and less lecture on Chinese medicine.
Karen Jones
It’s perfectly fine for you to not read the articles. I find them interesting and thought provoking. I love supporting a company that has so much heart.
Susan Kranyik
You literally do not have to read it. Did someone force you? No.