Yang Shen: The art of nourishing life
Welcome to a new regular segment, a sale AND a zoom chat for paid subscribers!
The link to what I intend to be a regular online “circle” is at the end of this article behind the paywall. There’s a 7 day free trial and an opportunity to see behind an article of your choosing available too.
Shout if you can’t see these options, AND for this month only I’m offering a 20% discount on annual subscriptions. It’s genuinely incredible value!
These online circles will be held every 2 months and be on a range of topics. I’m happy to take your suggestions. This one will be on the Autumn transition. Think herbal recipes for teas and foot soaks, journal prompts and space for lots of Q and A on all things TCM and seasonal health. (links to replays will be sent out to all paid subscribers)
In the spirit of all things seasonal and to celebrate a number of anniversaries around these parts over the last few weeks (and because why the heck not!) I thought I would also have a sale both here and on my courses.
Use AUTUMNLOVE for 25% off my courses included my practitioner webinar on Peri-Menopause. Valid for the next week only!
Now for today’s newsletter!
Welcome to Yang Shen! The art of nourishing life.
Twice a month this newsletter will focus on gentle and elegant tools to weave into your life that support ideal health regardless of your age or season.
The principle of Yang Shen is referred to in several classical Chinese medicine texts dating back to 3rd and 2nd centuries BC and is a Taoist philosophy that is more about maintaining health than it is waiting to be be unwell and seeking treatment.
“Prevention is better than Cure”
One of the most common complaints that I hear women worrying about in Peri-Menopause is the loss of cognition; those brain fog moments where the name of your longstanding colleague leaves your brain as you feel yourself go beetroot red and sweat drips down your neck. Not fun.
There are some really simple but also effective things we can do to support our clear minds but we need to be consistent.
Do not underestimate the importance of hydration.
That 20g of protein before 10 am isn’t just about muscle mass it’s about regulating blood sugar and if it’s one thing our brain loves is a steady calm stream of glucose. Not a roller coaster of up then down after 2 coffees on an empty belly.
And breathing. I suggest doing the following breathing exercise first thing in the morning (before you reach for your phone) to set up a clear and positive mindset for the day or or any time before you might need to present, speak to your colleagues in a meeting or to support yourself through that last quarter of the day.
There are many breathing techniques that support optimal health but I chose this one for the Peri-Menopausal ladies looking to support a clear mind, but it’s great for all of us. Since my yoga teacher training in 2017 my favourite breath practices to bring my focus and calm has been Nadi Shodona or alternative nostril breathing. It has been studied on numerous occasions with evidence that it is very supportive for cardiovascular issues and high blood pressure. There is also evidence to suggest that it might also;
Infuses the body with oxygen
Clears and releases toxins
Reduces stress and anxiousness
Regulates the nervous system
Helps to balance hormones (and by balance here I would suggest that this is about reducing cortisol and our stress chemistry so that our sex hormones can just get on with their job)
Supports clear and balanced respiratory channels
Helps to alleviate respiratory irritants
Balances solar and lunar, masculine and feminine energies
Cultivate mental clarity and an alert mind
Enhances the ability to concentrate
Brings balance to the left and right hemispheres of the brain
How to do it
With your right hand positioned with your thumb poised over your right nostril and your ring finger over your left nostril (with your middle two fingers wherever comfortable perhaps gently on your forehead)
Use the right thumb to close the right nostril.
Exhale gently, but fully, through the left nostril.
Keeping the right nostril closed, inhale through the left nostril and deep into the belly.
As you inhale, allow the breath to travel upward along the left side of the body. Pause briefly at the crown of the head.
Exhale through the right nostril.
Use the ring and pinky fingers of the right hand to gently close the left nostril and simultaneously release the right nostril.
Exhale through the right nostril, surrendering the breath down the right side of the body.
Pause gently at the bottom of the exhalation.
Inhale through the right nostril.
Keeping the left nostril closed, inhale once again through the right nostril, allowing the breath to travel up the right side of the body.
Exhale through the left nostril.
Then again, use the right thumb to close the right nostril as you release the left nostril. Exhale through the left nostril, surrendering the breath back down the left side of the body.
Pause gently at the bottom of the exhalation.
Do this for a couple of rounds each side, remembering never to strain or force your breath. The focus is the slow in-hale and exhale in each separate nostril.
Have you tried this practice before? I’d love to hear how you find it.
I hope to see you next month at our first virtual circle! I can’t wait!
Keri
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