Preparing Your Body for Transition to Winter Energy
On the Chinese calendar, November 7th marks a special date. November 7th is when winter energy begins, and then on December 6th, Winter Energy becomes dominant
As winter sets in, plants pull their energy inward, storing strength in their roots in preparation for spring. Just as nature conserves energy, this season calls us to focus on building our own reserves, especially by strengthening our kidney energy, the core source of warmth, vitality, and longevity.
By protecting and energizing the kidneys, we build an inner warmth that supports resilience through the colder months and prepares our bodies to bloom with health and vitality in spring and summer.
During winter, focusing on generating internal warmth and protecting your kidney energy is essential for maintaining vitality and resilience. This season’s colder temperatures can easily deplete our energy, so simple yet powerful practices can help you stay warm from within and preserve your strength.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially warm fluids, such as warm water or tea. In the Five Element theory, water is the element of winter. Keep your back covered and warm whenever you go out in the cold. A key way to nurture kidney energy is by giving special attention to your back and legs. The bladder channel, which runs along the back, contains many energy points that connect directly to the kidneys. When the back is exposed to cold, it can drain kidney energy, impacting not only the kidneys but also the lungs and liver.
To prevent energy loss, always keep your back and neck warmly covered when you’re outside in the cold. Layers that protect these areas help retain essential warmth and ensure your body’s energy flows smoothly and stays balance
Keep you Legs Warm - Soaking Your Feet
Keeping your legs warm in winter is essential for maintaining vitality. Many people focus only on bundling up the upper body, but don't pay as much attention to making sure the legs are warm and protected. This can lead to a loss of vital energy, impacting overall health and resilience by springtime—particularly for those with or recovering from heart issues.
The energy channels of the liver and pancreas flow through the knees, along with the stomach and bladder channels. The knees and heels, rich in crucial energy points, are highly susceptible to energy blockages, which can weaken your kidney energy and immune defenses. Keeping your legs, ankles, and feet warm in winter helps to prevent these energy blockages, support immune health, and conserve your vital energy.
An additional evening practice that is easy and effective is soaking your feet in very warm (not scalding) water for 10 to 20 minutes. This practice not only promotes good sleep but is particularly supportive for those with kidney, liver, or heart concerns, as well as those looking to improve memory.
Strengthen Your Legs with Qigong Movements
You want to keep your legs as active as you can. Standing with your knees bent while doing your Spring Forest Qigong Active Exercises is a good way to strengthen your legs.
Bouncing, like we do in our classes, is very good for you. You simply stand, bend your knees a little, put your hands over your head and bounce from your knees. Your feet don’t leave the ground; you just gently bounce your body from the knees up and down. This kind of gently bouncing is very good for your kidney energy.
The ‘Moving of Yin & Yang’ SFQ 5 Element Movement is especially good to be practicing during this period of changing seasons. When you practice this movement, focus more on the lower dan tian, seeing a beautiful light shining there so brightly. If possible, it is best to do these movements standing with your knees bent a little, this helps to activate your kidney energy even more! (see video below for guided movement)
Walking and Getting Some Sun
Walking is excellent for energizing the legs and boosting overall vitality, benefiting the heart and lungs as well.
In winter, many enjoy walking indoors, such as in shopping malls, but you can also walk around your home, up and down stairs, or even in an office building. Walking just thirty minutes a day, five times a week, is highly recommended by many doctors for maintaining health.
Slow, gentle weight lifting is another great way to keep your muscles active and strengthen the body, but remember to move slowly and avoid heavy weights unless you're experienced. Light weights and careful, controlled movements are best for building strength without strain.
Spending a few minutes outdoors in the sun, if possible, is also very beneficial. On calmer winter days, bundle up and allow yourself five to ten minutes of sunlight, with your back facing the sun to absorb its energy. This Taoist practice is believed to support longevity and strengthen vitality, even through winter clothing
Getting Enough Quality Sleep is Important for your Kidney Energy & Vitality
If possible, don't stay up too late during this transitioning period. If you can, go to bed a little earlier (9 or 10 o'clock). And if you can, get up a littler later, after the sun comes up. If that's not possible that is okay too!
Don’t go to bed when your hair is still wet as that can cause headaches and other problems. In women especially, this can easily lead to headaches and even migraine headache; having wet hair weakens the vitality in the top of the head. If you wash your hair in the morning make sure it’s dry before you go out in the cold.
Your sleeping environment is very important. Limit all light sources and any noises as much as possible when you sleep. Noises and too much light can affect the quality of your sleep. As a result you can wake-up feeling exhausted and anxious instead of well rested and ready to embrace the new day.
Sleeping posture is also important. Sleeping on your stomach is not helpful. You should sleep on your back or your side. In the wintertime, sleep on your right side if you can. This is the most beneficial sleeping posture during winter.
In the Morning when you wake, don’t jump out of bed immediately. Stay in bed for a minute or two with your eyes open. Maybe do a little exercising in bed. Stretching your body is good. Or try lying on your back, raising your legs and move them like you are riding a bicycle for thirty seconds or so. Then, sit up slowly and hang your feet over the side of the bed for a minute or so before you put your feet on the floor and get your day going. This is especially beneficial for anyone who has high blood pressure. It’s a great way for anyone to gather their energy. It helps you start your day with your energy balanced and flowing.
By taking these simple but purposeful steps, you’re actively cultivating a deep internal warmth that protects your vitality through winter. This self-care not only strengthens your body for the cold months ahead but also lays a strong foundation for the renewal of energy and activity that spring will bring.
Moving of Yin & Yang