02.05.26 Wisdom of the Water Element

We are deep into Winter and in TCM, this time of year is the Water Element. The two organs associated with this element are the Kidneys and Bladder.

If you’re looking for food therapy to support your body during this season, here are some ideas: salty, seaweeds, celery, nuts, seeds, beans, and miso. It’s best to stick with warm foods, avoid cold & raw foods during the Winter season.

In TCM, within each element is an emotion associated with it. The Water element’s emotion is fear, fright, and shock.

In terms of a yoga practice during this season, the Water element suggests that the best practices to support your mind, body, and soul are the more introspective, quiet, and reflective type practices—>Restorative, Yin, and Meditation.

When it comes to specific yoga poses to support the Bladder meridian, a few come to mind. You can try forward folds but maybe use blocks under the hands or perhaps try Shoulderstand pose. For the Kidney meridian, you could incorporate a seated wide leg forward fold or a Happy Baby pose.

If you have found yourself tired with fatigue and low back pain, feeling more tired at the end of the day or lack of drive and libido, perhaps working long hours. Some applications you could try would be hot packs on your back, meditation or pranayama (breathwork), 10 minutes of a restorative practice to support your back, or even taking 10 minutes for a gentle movement practice for circulation. Give the love and care your body needs and deserves.