Protecting the kidney energy

In Chinese medicine, each organ energy is associated with both an element and a season.  The winter is the time of the kidney and the element of water.  The kidney energy is said to be the root of all yin and yang, or in other words, our foundation or reservoir. A metaphor that comes to mind is that of a water wheel, where one bucket dumps into the next, filling it up until it spills over, and so it goes as the buckets fill, the wheel turns and continually propels the cycle. If not enough water, not enough force to keep the wheel moving and an imbalance is created. 
A person who is balanced in kidney energy can be both active and productive, yet calm and reflective. Action with proper intention.  A balance of yin and yang.

So what damages or depletes kidney energy?  This energy is associated with the adrenals, and so probably the number one consideration would be stress and the emotional component of fear!  Other choices such as sugar, alcohol, drugs or coffee can also deplete.  The climactic factor is cold. Because this energy is more vulnerable in the winter, we want to take extra care to warm the inside to compensate.

Every person has a unique constitution and therefore a lack of kidney energy may show up differently, but here are some common physical markers.

* Any joint pain, commonly the knees, ankles.
* Sore lower back
* Consistent cold hands and feet
* Reproductive issues
* Premature aging, such as early hair loss
* Urinary problems
* Weakness in the legs, pale complexion, feeling lethargic
* Frequent ear infections, ringing in the ears

An imbalance can also manifest on the emotional level.  If we look back to the 5 elements, there is a particular relationship between the water and the fire.  This can also be seen as north and south, heaven and earth, and the emotional opposition of joy (love) and fear.  If the kidney energy is weak, and the cycle is not moving, we can see either an excess of water or a lack of water, which is unable to control the fire. (This dynamic can also play a role in addictions)

An excess of water can present as extreme yin. The water douses the flame where love resides and we can see a melancholic or depressed state. A lack of will.
A deficiency of water can present as extreme yang. The fire is raging out of control. Here we can see manic behaviors, anxiety, racing thoughts or impulsive actions, difficulty sleeping.

We can restore balance through acupressure, but also with the help of diet and lifestyle choices.  To adjust to the season, slow cooked foods are best to warm the interior. Eating mindfully, making sure to chew foods well to facilitate digestion. Eating more simple combinations and reducing or eliminating raw and cold foods in the winter months can all be very supportive.  The following food choices can help keep the balance.
Black beans, Mung beans, Kidney beans, Black sesame seeds, Millet, Barley, Lentils, Bone broth soups (can add seaweeds), Oats, Quinoa, chicken and salmon. Think soups and stews!
If having fruits, you can always cook them lightly to make more of a compote. The berries are a great choice for the heart connection. Raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries. Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, onions, also have a warming effect.

And lastly...the very wise words from our moms...bundle up, it's getting cold out there!!!

www.blossomingspiritfengshui.com 

Simple steps to a good nights sleep!

                                                                 

As the winter rolls around, we naturally tend towards indoors and nesting.  It also becomes important to follow natures cue and ensure we are getting enough rest to maintain a strong immune system during the colder months.

One of the ways to support this is by addressing the Feng Shui of the bedroom!  These principles apply pretty much to all of us, but these simple tips will be geared towards the kids in your world.

1- The bed 
To ensure a good nights sleep, the bed should be in what is called the command position. What this basically means is that the child can easily see the door if someone was to enter the room, without being directly in line with it.
There are two basic reasons for this. One, subconsciously we feel safer when we can see what is coming towards us and secondly, in feng shui, the energy enters the room by the door, so to be directly in line with the inflow of energy is not ideal for sleeping.

The next thing to consider is the bedding. Every child or person has a different consideration for what might be comfortable. Some like warm and fuzzy sheets if they tend to chill easily, while others like the feeling of crisp cool sheets. What type of pillow? Do they like the feeling of a heavy blanket or always throwing the blanket off?  It is really important to get this right so that they LOVE climbing into bed at night, and are comfortable enough to sleep the night through.

A wooden bed frame tends to offer more stability or grounding energy than say a metal bed frame. We want the child to feel very stable and secure. Bunk beds are often seen as a great space savers, and if the child/children are sleeping well, then great!! If not, it could be a result of compressed energy while sleeping. Some kids will feel it's like a restful cocoon, while others may feel stifled.  Everyone is different!

2- Colors
Ideally the wall colors for a bedroom should be either softer palettes or very rich and nurturing.  There is often a temptation to make the room very vibrant, like a child's energy, but keep in mind the main objective of the room..which is rest.
Yin and Yang...??
These are words to represent opposing forces or energies and can relate to gender, color, shape, movement etc. An easy example is the sun and moon.
The sun is yang...daytime, bright, active, vibrant!!
The moon is yin...night, dim, soft textures, restful.
We want to consider the yin/yang balance for the room overall.  Bright colors are considered yang and soft or dark colors yin. Because it is a bedroom, we want to tend towards more yin.  To achieve the balance, bright accents can easily be added or changed as the child grows. This can be done with accent pillows, carpets, draperies etc.

Colors carry an energetic frequency. Some suggestions could be soft blues to encourage rest and intuition. Yellows for grounding and confidence. Greens for healing and encouraged growth. Pinks for self love.
The child's life gua/element, which is calculated according to their birth date can also be considered to see which colors would be most suitable for their nature.

3- Clutter
As adults we know how clutter can make us feel disorganized, stressed or overwhelmed. For kids, its the same principle. It's hard to rest when things feel chaotic around you. We want to encourage breathing space and free circulation of energy. That means nothing stuffed under the bed, piles of clothes or toys lying around or the desk overflowing with clutter.
Clutter creates stagnant energy and kids are always changing and growing, so we want to encourage that. It's also a subtle way to introduce the concept of simplicity and gratitude.
Creating spaces for storage, bulletin boards for notes or mementos, shelves for books is the idea. This can still be done in a way to allow for creativity and organized chaos depending on your child's style. Allow them to engage in the process!

4-The senses
 The senses are a big part of creating the space! Here are a few fun ways to stimulate and explore.

Sound: depending on the age, they may enjoy falling asleep or studying to the sound of ocean waves or rain forest etc. It could also be other styles of music. This is an important part of developing their creativity and sense of self.
Touch: Textures are so important, especially in a bedroom. You can have fun with adding fuzzy pillows, woven cottons, sparkly sequins, sleek surfaces. 
Sight: Ideally the room should be aesthetically pleasing but also filled with things/images/textures that your child loves.  The more they get involved with the design style, the better they will feel.  This is their domain and it should be a reflection of who they are as they see it...with room to grow!
Scent: Aromatherapy can be a great addition to a bedroom, particularly during the winter months when we are a little more sensory deprived!  Adding a vaporizer and experimenting with different essential oils can be very therapeutic on a sensory level, but also help reduce the dryness that winter brings. A commonly known choice is lavender to calm and soothe. Eucalyptus can also be used if your child tends towards congestion. This is a fun way to explore with your child to see which scents they enjoy.

5-Winding down
A common habit is to have a TV or some form of electronics in the bedroom.  If this is the case, ensure they are shut off well before bedtime and cellphones placed away from the bed or better still, turned off completely.  These do emit electromagnetic waves that can have harmful effects on the body over extended periods. 
It is also great to instill the habit of disconnecting and allowing for time to simmer down before sleep.  If your child has a busy mind, journal writing before bed, reading or breathing exercises can be excellent tools to calm and prepare for a restful sleep.

Sweet dreams!
Debbie

www.blossomingspiritfengshui.com