Lifestyle Coaching

Applying YIN and YANG to Life, Food and Health

In Chinese philosophy, there are two main categories of natural energy: Yin and Yang. The universe is an integration of these two interacting, mutually assisting and also some what opposing forces.

All life appears to be made of opposite yet complementary aspects: dark and light, cold and hot, receptive and creative, female and male, and so forth. Yang is the primary mover, the productive, the expansive while Yin is recessive, the cooperative, the sustaining. When Yang moves, Yin becomes apparent, as these two energies cannot exist separately.

This principle of energy applies to the external world as well as inside our bodies. In Chinese medicine, Yin and Yang are often referred to as the body's water and fire. Applying these principles to the body, we can determine whether a person is a Yin, or cold type or a Yang, or hot type.

We can also determine the energetic properties of foods, whether they are cooling or warming. To maintain balance, a cold type person needs relatively more Yang, or warming foods, and a hot type person needs relatively more Yin, or cooling foods. Yin and Yang also apply to the organs of the body based on whether they are solid (Yin) or hollow (Yang). Given the opportunity to heal, the body rebalances itself. Traditional Chinese Medicine assists the body in healing but does not interfere with the healing process.

Nervous System Overload

Do you feel anxious every morning because you feel you have too much to do? Do you feel anxious at night because you failed to accomplish all that you set out to do? Does worrying about things keep you awake at night? Do you frequently run out of time in the day to exercise or look after your health? Do you feel like a "slave" to your life circumstances and not the "master"?

If you answer yes to many of these questions, you may be suffering from an overloaded nervous system or what we often call Life Overload Syndrome. It is usually due to your daily activities putting too much stress on your nervous system and causing you to feel imbalance and stressed all the time.

Many of the reasons for your situation can be due to genuine life challenges that all of us encounter on a regular basis, but there may be better ways you can cope and regain control over your life. There are five positive steps towards wellness and stress reduction in your life that we would like to share with you.

Know yourself

  • Know your Qi
  • Create happiness in your life
  • Be Selective with Your Engagements
  • Compassion