Biomimicry...Harmonise with nature with these best winter practices

It is said that if we can work in harmony with the flow of nature, our body and our actions will be easeful.

I’ve recently come across a term that relates to this called biomimicry; which is the emulation of the systems of nature to solve complex human problems. Or more simply accessing the wisdom of nature to make our lives more easeful. Rather than working in resistance to seasonal changes, working with them.

‘One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against

the way of things. She moves in harmony with the

present moment, always knowing the truth of

just what to do.’

Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu

So, for those of you in the southern hemisphere, as we approach winter, let’s look at how best we can work in with this season with simple practices. My next post will provide equal support for those of you in the northern hemisphere… and the opening up for the season of summer.

Winter is a period for resting – a time when energy needs to be conserved, not used. Nature shows us this in bucketloads… animals become less active or even hibernate, plants begin to store resources in their roots systems. Yet somehow as humans we’ve stepped out of this wisdom and agreed to a society that expects us to remain equally as productive all year round.

Let’s look at a Chinese Medicine perspective of what winter presents…

• It’s when all things in nature wither, hide and return home.

• Yin dominates yang during winter, and therefore we should focus on conserving our yang energy. (Yin = soft explorative feminine energy, yang = strong methodical masculine energy)

• The overall theme is conservation and storage.
  

According to the ancient Chinese text, Neijing Suwen (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine) here are some ideas on how to make this happen:

• Go to bed earlier and get up with sunrise - which is later in winter.

• Desires and mental pursuits should be kept quiet and subdued. This includes sexual desires, which the Neijing Suwen recommends to contain them like keeping a happy secret.

• Stay warm and avoid the cold. Avoid sweating and opening the pores.
  

I would add to this list some nurturing qigong moves. Purging exercises can be a great daily practice in winter. If you’ve been practicing qigong with me recently, you would know the Fisherman Finds a Pearl sequence. This is a great one to allow emotions to flow and not build up.

It is said that if we are not able to maintain this level of ‘practice’ or living in harmony, it will impact our bodies… especially our kidneys energy – more on this further on. It will also hinder our transition into the following season and impair our immune system.

Flow like water

'The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all

things without trying to.'

Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu

In Chinese Medicine, the flow of life involves the interconnectedness of five elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Winter is associated with the element of water. Water represents pure essence or pure potential and deep wisdom. If we layer the idea of biomimicry onto a flowing river, it does not move at the same pace in all places. Sometimes the water is slowed by meandering corners, other times it is fast and furious. Looking at the ways of water can help us more fully understand the essence of Taoism and Qigong and I would say equally helps us to understand ourselves better.

Water has a wonderfully non-judgemental way of reaching the dark and tiny spaces. It simply flows, with effortless effort – this flow is known as Wuwei – it’s the non-striving or being in the flow. By allowing the flow, we are more able to see who we are and embrace that, rather than having resistance. It allows us to release and unfold, finding our darkest corners, so that we can embrace the awesomeness that we each are… as an aspect of the One, the Tao, the Universe or Source.

When we come into this earth as a baby we start in water, in our mother’s womb, and throughout our lives we are nourished by water. Water touches us at all stages of our lives and represents the start and the end of the cycle of the five elements.

Here are some practical ways you can access the wisdom of water to support you in winter:

• Be with water – sit by the ocean or a water way near you. Allow its energy to support you. If you are sensitive to energy, try to connect to the energy of the water you are near. Allow its energy to flow within you and around you.

• Take some time to be – we are all so busy, but maybe we can try not to be. Try to carve out some time where you can just be. Do something that nourishes your soul… a warm bath with good book, a stroll through nature on a sunny day, sit by a crackling fire with a cup of tea (or even a glass wine), listen to music that makes your heart sing.

• Journal – now’s the time to allow your vision to go inside. Pay attention to you. Look at your feelings, not with judgement but interested curiosity, and allow them to surface and flow. Write it all down. Write like you’re sending a letter to your best friend. And if writing is not your thing… record your thoughts with a voice recorder app.

Fear not, my kidneys are balanced

The organ associated with water and thus winter is the kidneys. It is said that wisdom lives in our kidneys. And as mentioned previously, the kidneys is where we store our energy. The energy our bodies need to maintain health and vitality.

• Physically the kidneys represent our Jing or our essential energy levels. It is also connected to the regulation of our nervous system. A fabulous way to help support our nervous system is through the practice of the Microcosmic Orbit meditation. The Microcosmic Orbit is the flow of energy  around our body. For women the direction of flow is impacted by the stage of life we are in, so if you haven’t learned this practice with me, feel free to reach out and I can help you understand the best practice for you.

• Emotionally the water element and kidneys are associated with fear and anxiety, short term memory and hesitancy versus courage. Use purging emotions Qigong sequences to help ease the flow of any stuck emotions.

• Spiritually, when our kidneys are in balance, we have trust and faith and are okay with the unknown. We can accept support, feeling safe and supported by life. Essentially, being in Wuwei. Our kidneys are also connected with authenticity and a returning to our true nature… much like the saying ‘water finds its own level’.

Qigong practices to support our kidneys are well needed in winter.

• Simply placing our laogong points (the energy point on the centre of our palms) onto our mingmen points (the kidneys energy points either side of our spine) will help recharge your batteries. Add in a slow and deliberate circular rotation of your waist, like you have a very amenable hoola hoop, you’ve got a very easy way to allow Qi flow and to top up your energy which is called Beautiful Lady Turns Her Waist.

• Additionally, Two Hands Climb the Legs to Strengthen The Kidneys from the 8 Section Brocade or Baduanjin is a really lovely move to practice in winter. I teach this move in my qigong classes.

Other thoughts to support our bodies in winter

There are many, many ways we can support our transition into and during winter, including through what we eat.

Food can be a fabulous way to support your body in our time of ‘wintering’. Here are some ideas:

• Dark leafy greens like spinach & kale.

• Other foods that are nourishing to our kidneys - black beans, rice, leeks and walnuts & soups.

• A simple trick - eat what’s in season and grown as close to where you live as possible.

• Warm drinks like ginger tea, turmeric late or simply warm water.

• Limit cold drinks and food as well as raw food.

There are even particular sounds and music you can make or consume in winter to support your physical, emotional and spiritual body… there is just so much. And to avoid overwhelming you… I hope that you find this snapshot an interesting and practical guide to help you find your rhythm in winter.

If you do not currently practice Qigong with me but are interested, I have three classes a week – Monday & Thursday in person on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and Tuesday online. Please note that I will be taking a break, listening to my body’s needs for the month of June. Take a look at the schedule for classes starting in July. Any questions, please get in touch.