Seasonal Yin: the Metal Element & Autumn

ZENBLOG // Autumn means transformation, and it is associated with the Metal Element and the lungs. With seasonal Yin, we can sustain our well-being and support our immunity also when the weather gets chilled.

During the autumn the weather becomes cooler, and everything begins to slow down, dry up and draw inward. Autumn is the time of release and letting go, slowing down, and storing up what is needed for winter.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, there are five Elements: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal.
Autumn is the season of the Metal Element, and the lungs and the large intestine are the organs associated with this element. Lungs are very vulnerable and most likely to be affected of wind, cold and dryness. How to take care of our immunity?

Metal represents transformation. The Metal is an element that leads from activity and growth to dormancy, and from yang to yin. Like metal, at this time of year, substances become concentrated, as they retract, condense, shrink, and freeze.
The Metal Element governs our ability to take in life, absorb what is good for us and let go of the rest, making space for the new.
Lungs rule the movement of Qi, life energy, that goes inwards and downwards. We draw the breath into our lungs on inhale, and we let go of waste down and outward through our large intestines. The lungs support our capacity for surrendering for the transformation.

Heal grief with self-compassion. Autumn may raise some feelings of melancholy with darker days, so it is important to find balance in Yin & Yang.
If the natural movement of Qi gets blocked or stuck, it can appear as grief, sorrow, and the inability to let go. This grief accumulates in the lungs.
When the Metal is balanced, we feel hopeful, courageous, and trust on ourselves and the future. We have healthy self-confidence.
Emotions of imbalance are hopelessness, prolonged grief, despair, disappointment, isolation, and depression, which in excess, weaken the lungs.
As the nature prepares for death and rebirth, it is important to accept the change, slow down, and let go of what no longer serves us.
Understand to respect yourself and cultivate self-love with your hard feelings. Feeling sorrow when the days get darker and grey, is completely normal, but remember to heal these emotions with self-compassion. Meditate, reflect your life. Be gentle with yourself.

Support lung Qi with pranayama. Lungs are very vulnerable organ, and they are effected by dryness and cold. When Metal is imbalanced, the physical symptoms are sighing, shallow breathing, and respiratory issues.
Practicing pranayama, the breathing exercises, will help strengthen your lungs, enhance the lung’s Kong Qi, and support the immunity system, the protective Wei Qi.
Pranayama practices like kapalabhati, activate the lungs by dispelling stagnant Qi, and bhastrika, that generates prana to activate the entire body and is building the respiratory immunity. Any full chest breathing is good.
Protect yourself from cold, wind, and chill, keep your neck and upper body warm, and avoid sitting too long.
What about the food? In each season, there are different foods and the ways of eating and cooking that will support our bodies best through the season. In autumn the foods that are more warming are beneficial, so cook by boiling and steaming the foods, eat warm soups and less salads, as also eat some pungent foods, add spices, ginger, onions, and garlic to food. Drink warm drinks, avoid ice water.

Seasonal Yin for the immunity. The meridians, energy channels of the Metal run in the arms. The seasonal Yin practice that opens the chest and ribgace and targets to arms is beneficial to lungs, and it supports the immunity and overall well-being.
The postures like open wings, broken wings, anahata, quarter dog, wild leg child’s pose with twist, banana, and the supine twists, which stretch the arms, activate and nourish the Metal meridians and make more space for the lungs.
The key lesson for the Metal is to let go of attachment, accepting oneself and releasing the vain and the past with self-understanding. Being present and grateful for what’s here and now, it is a key to live mindful life.

The Seasonal Yin sequence for the Metal can be found in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenstudiomalaga/