Autumn is my favorite season. I mean, what’s not to love? Leaves changing color, crisp air, the start of the holiday season, and golden hour just hits different.
I also love the fall because of all that it calls forth.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is seen as as the time to organize one’s life; to assess what is meant to be kept, and what is meant to be released. It is a time to focus on the breath, and to begin slowing down for winter. Who can say that they are without the need for these practices? Not I!
Autumn & The TCM Connection
Looking through the lens of TCM, the organs associated with the fall are the lungs & large intestine, and together, they represent the Metal element. Today, I want to spotlight the lungs!
When the lungs are in harmony, they reflect courage, the joy of being present, and openness and excitement for change. They inspire a sense of righteousness and integrity. When out of balance, the lungs express feelings of grief, sadness, and a fear of the unknown, or change.
The lungs house the Po, or Animal Soul (which is a topic for another time 🤗). This spirit connects our consciousness to the physical body. It is our sense of self preservation. When feeling grief or sadness, it is common to lose your sense of drive or creativity.
So if during this fall season you have felt sad or unwelcoming of change, you are not alone! And of course, where there is an emotional disharmony, so too will there be a physical one. Respiratory issues like the cold and flu, asthma, shortness of breath, a tight chest, allergies, sinus problems, and skin issues are those related to the lungs. So it goes without saying that we want these guys to be healthy!
In TCM all of life is seen through the lens of Qi – life force energy. The graphic below depicts the pivitol role that our lungs play in generating our life essence.
Health is defined as the unobstructed free flow of Qi and blood. If you have ever noticed how sharp or shallow your breath becomes in moments of stress or fear, then you can imagine the cascade of affects that long term stress patterns inflict upon your body’s functioning.
In addition to their role of generating life force for us, the lungs are responsible for one of our most vital assets – the breath. I think of it as a metric of life. Not only is it indicative of ones’ quality of life/health, but it is one of the few ways we differentiate between life and death
Believe it or not, your lungs are NOT the only key players in the magic of breath. Our muscles play a huuuge role 💪🏽 The lungs don’t dilate or contract on their own. Instead, they are filled passively by our muscles pulling on bony structures to create expansion in the rib cage. Just look at all the muscles involved in breathing!
Since the relationship between breathing and bony structures are so interrelated, anything that causes weakness in the diaphragm will have an adverse effect on the t-spine and ribcage function. When the body’s joints stiffen, normal breathing patterns suffer.
Have you ever considered the role your breath plays in your posture, and vice versa? I encourage everyone to play with different postures ranging from slouching to sitting upright with your joints aligned. Take notice in the differences when attempting to breathe fully and deeply!
The Massage Impact
Breathing consciously is a crucial aspect for a healthy and happy life. Through our breath, we are able to regulate our nervous system, strengthen our immune system, and connect more deeply to ourselves and others. While making a concious effort to be aware of and improve upon our breathing, it is comforting to know that there are many ways that massage can help us along!
1. Massage relaxes tight respiratory muscles & fascia.
2. Assists to slow/regulate breath
3. Improves posture, thus improving the mechanics of the breath.
4. Assists to break up mucus and congestion
5. Encourages Qi & Blood into free flow!
As autumn is the season of the lungs, there is no better time to focus on respiratory health. For this reason, I have created an autumn massage special focused on opening up the chest to encourage optimal lung and breath functioning. To learn more, click here and view the image below.
If you are interested in learning how to DIY some lung love, here are some final notes for you.
To harmonize your lungs, send them love and gratitude for all that they do: bringing in oxygen, purifying your blood, removing impurities, and allowing you to make vibration AKA – sounds, songs, and speaking your truth! 🎶 Envision a beautiful white/silver light filling your lungs and spilling out into the rest of your body. Focus on your breath and feel the joy of being alive. Happy breathing!
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