Yangsheng
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Five Black Tea 五黑茶 for the Greater Cold 大寒 Solar Term
As we approach “Greater Cold” (Da Han 大寒), the 24th and final solar term of the year, an arctic front and snow storm passed through the area that I live in, bringing the coldest temperatures that we’ve had this winter so far. It truly is “Greater Cold!” A good herbal tea for this time of year is called Wu Hei Cha 五黑茶, meaning “Five Black Tea.” This tea is also great in general for neigong practitioners. Winter is associated with the kidney organ system, the water phase, and the color black. The kidneys are our storehouse of the all-important jing 精 (essence), which fuels our neigong practice and is important for…
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Why Dynamic Sets Are an Important Part of Foundational Training
Summary: Dong Gong 动功 (Dynamic Training Practice Sets, such as Yijinjing 12 Postures, Baduanjin, and other Daoyin) are commonplace in neigong training systems and often focus on developing and clearing/unblocking the 12 ordinary meridians associated with the internal organs. What are the benefits of this mode of practice? With many neigong systems highly focused on building the lower dantian in early stages, people often wonder if focusing on other areas will hold them back. Perhaps the main reason that these types of practices are widely taught early on as a part of initial foundational training is due to the age-old Chinese theoretical approach which says that before you build (qi) ,…
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Pai da 拍打 (pat) the Heart and Lung Meridians in Winter
Pai da 拍打, which we could translate as “patting”, “slapping”, or “tapping,” when done along the body’s meridians, is a widespread traditional Chinese health modality. It is commonly done before and/or after practice (qigong, neigong, etc), but it is also very beneficial as a daily, stand-alone practice. Pai da is performed along the meridians (and acupoints) to keep the meridians unobstructed and the qi and blood flow vigorous. By smoothing the flow of qi and stamping out the turbid qi (zhuo qi 濁气) the functions of the internal organs are regulated and the body’s immunity is enhanced. Here we will focus on patting the meridians of the arm which is…
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Winter Solstice is an Optimal Time for Stillness
“The winter solstice marks the beginning of the return of Yang; a thunderclap shakes the sky” Dongzhi yi yang lai fu shi, pili yisheng zhendong tian. 冬至一阳来复始，霹雳一声震动天。 ~ Zhang Sanfeng’s Meditation Song 三丰打坐歌说 The winter solstice (dong zhi 冬至) marks a special point in the year: The days will start to get longer again, the sun will start to get stronger. Yin Qi has peaked and will now start to decline. Yang Qi will begin to emerge and grow. Neigong and neidan practice are concerned with accumulating Yang Qi in the body. This is considered an excellent time to practice stillness-based practices such as meditation (both specifically on the winter…
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Nourish and Store Energy for the Year to Come: Recipe for the Greater Snow 大雪 Solar Term
Da Bu Yang Cang Tang (大补养藏汤) might be translated as something like “Great Nourishing and Storing Soup” is a widely-recommended yangsheng (“nourishing life”) recipe for this time or year–starting from the Greater Snow (Da Xue 大雪) Solar Term (December 6th in 2024) and onwards for about the next month. This time of year to reduce excess physical exertion, increase stillness meditation and nourish the body’s storage capacity. Our Yang Qi has retreated to the interior and we want to carefully nourish it during this time. This soup nourishes the five internal “zang” organs: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. It is especially nourishing for the kidneys. It nourishes kidney qi,…
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Nuts: Wintertime Snack of the Immortals
“Ren you san bao jing, qi, shen You san zhong xianguo bu jing, qi shen de” (人有三宝精气神, 有三种仙果是补精气神的) People have three treasures: essence (jing), energy (qi), and spirit (shen). There are three kinds of xianguo “immortal nuts” that replenish jing, qi, and shen. Winter is the season for storage (cang 藏), storing jing (essence). Plants store much of their essence in nuts and seeds to prepare for spring. Nuts are ready to harvest in the fall, and we can take our cue from the squirrels outside scurrying around collecting and eating up nuts to fatten up and prepare for winter. Ancient Chinese named three nuts as the “three nuts of…
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Quick and Easy (but Effective) Pear Soup Variation
Pear water aka pear soup is one of the most well-known medicinal foods among Yangsheng (Nourishing Life) enthusiasts for the Autumn season. Protecting against “autumn dryness” (qiu zao 秋燥) by moistening the lung system is of utmost importance to maintain balance, boost our immunity, and set us up for a healthy winter season. In addition to the favorite Pear soup recipe that was shared last year, there are many other great variations. Simply skinning a pear (Asian pears work great, but any will do), chopping it up, and boiling it in water for at least 20 minutes is the base recipe and is great on its own. Adding in additional…
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White Tea to Relieve Autumn Dryness
As the weather cools off, teas with a nice roast such as Wuyi Yancha Oolongs start to become more attractive, but many consider white tea to actually be the best choice for autumn tea drinking. The declining Yang Qi in the environment not only leads to cooler but also dryer conditions. In summer we can use the ample Yang Qi to help treat imbalances associated with cold and damp. Now in autumn, it is important to maintain health and balance to prepare for the winter which is the body’s “storage period.” Combating “autumn dryness” (qiu zao 秋燥) becomes a primary concern for the yangsheng lifestyle enthusiast as the lungs are…
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Autumn Wellness: Chinese Yam (Shan Yao 山药)
Chinese yam (shan yao 山药), literally “mountain medicine,” is a staple food often found in a traditional yangsheng (“nourishing life”) diet. It is one of the few foods that you will see recommended in practically every season for its diverse benefits. It is commonly recommended as food to eat in the autumn season, and is perhaps my favorite yangsheng food for autumn next to pear water. Aside from its seasonal and general health benefits, it is a great addition to a neigong cultivator’s diet because it is so beneficial to the organs systems responsible for extracting post-heaven qi from the food we eat and the air we breathe, as well…
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Apple Water 苹果水 – a Snack to Aid Digestion, Benefit the Spleen/Stomach
Late summer is associated with the spleen organ system, the foundation of digestion. Proper digestion of the food we eat is so important for both general health and supporting neigong practice. With apples now ripening and ready for harvest, now is a great time to make use of local, in-season fruit and support our spleen/stomach with this delicious snack that aids digestion and helps to remove dampness (the spleen’s worst enemy). Apple water (or we could call it apple soup) is also a great prelude to pear soup, one of the best snacks to promote health and balance in autumn. The second half of the summer is a good time…
