Autumn Energy Cleanse; Clear Your Blocked Energy

Autumn Energy Cleanse; Clear Your Blocked Energy

by | May 30, 2022 | Detox, Environment, Healthcare & Wellbeing Tips, Increase Energy, Womens Health

One of the things Alexis and I are passionate about is nurturing and cleansing our bodies through the power of nature. An Autumn energy cleanse is but one example. As humans, we are closely connected with and directly affected by the rhythms of nature.  These rhythms can be seen in the cycles of the moon and the tides, as well as in the seasons. We can learn from the lessons nature shows us. Nature doesn’t attach stories, emotions or expectations. It simply and naturally follows the cycle of life. 

Seasonal Energy

Each season has its own energy and symbolism, which indicates where nature is in its annual cycle. Similarly, many cultures have traditions and beliefs reflecting the seasons and their symbolism. Take this time of year, for example mid-Autumn (in the southern hemisphere). The Christian faith celebrates Easter, while the Jewish faith celebrates Passover. Both are uniquely symbolic of the cycle of life, birth, death and renewal. Each faith naturally taps into the cycles of the season, and uses its energy to strengthen and nourish.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy, the season of Autumn is about releasing and renewal. Like the leaves released from the trees in Autumn. The orange, red and yellow leaves fall from the branches in a beautiful rain of colour that can gently swish around you. You can allow these leaves to help you let go of what you no longer need, to make room for anew.  Nature prepares for the coming changes, by shedding what it no longer needs. You can do the same! Like nature, it’s time to clear out what is no longer revitalising, and to free yourself from the things you’ve been afraid to let go of.

Energy Channels in Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, we have energy channels throughout our bodies. These energy channels, known as Meridian channels, support our body, mind, spirit and emotions. There are twelve main channels, grouped in pairs, with the exception of one set of four meridians. Each set is associated with characteristics, including:

  • a season
  • an element
  • a primary function.
  • an emotion (that we may feel if the energy becomes stuck.) 

Chinese medicine meridian channels

The Autumn Meridians

In Autumn, the lung and large intestine meridians, in the metal element are at their strongest. If our energy gets stuck, you can suffer with the emotion of grief. But the counterpoint or the power and primary function of the energy of the metal element is letting go. This enables you to release negative energy, so you can rejuvenate and refresh.

If we think about the function of our large intestines and lungs, this starts to make sense. Our large intestines help eliminate waste from our bodies, after we’ve absorbed all the nutrients from our food. Our lungs expel the old used air, in the form of carbon dioxide. This leaves (pun intended) room for the new air you inhale to bring fresh oxygen to be absorbed into your bloodstream. So the lungs and large intestines have a similar purpose. They both absorb vital compounds that we need to survive, and release what we do not need. Tapping into this energy of metal and Autumn, of the lung and large intestine meridian channels, can help us do the same thing in our lives.  So let’s delve a bit deeper into the functions of the lung and large intestine meridians:

Autumn Leaves chinese medicine and meridians

The Lung Meridian

  • Receiver of pure Chi.  It’s our connection to the heavens and all that is spiritual. This meridian helps us to see and appreciate the quality in ourselves, others and the outside world – it is the source of true self esteem. You might remember an earlier video where we spoke about expanding our posture, which expands our lungs; and breathing deeply, to lift our spirit, and boost our self esteem. If you missed it, check it our here (add link).

The Large Intestine Meridian

  • In charge of the waste system for the body, mind and emotional self. The large intestine also helps ensure we have space for the new by getting rid of the old. This meridian affects our ability to let go of what is no longer needed in all aspects of our life.

 5 Cleansing Techniques, Using the Metal Energy of Autumn.

 

1. Balance

It’s important to create a balance of giving and receiving. A period of rest, followed by a period of growth. Create a balance of inhalation and exhalation. 

You can also learn from nature by letting go of the stories and expectations  attached to your experiences, which can cause additional suffering. Live in the present moment with truth and acceptance. Practice letting go, trusting, and accepting, as you use the energy of the seasons, to help you move through your own seasonal cycle and energetic shift. 

 

2. Release thoughts, beliefs & behaviours that no longer serve you

We often think of spring as a time to clear, clean & declutter, but autumn has this connection even more. Allowing us to release things, thoughts, beliefs & behaviours that we no longer need. 

Sometimes I’d like to declutter people in my life too. But they are usually the people closest to us. They are the ones who unconsciously & mostly even unintentionally seem to know which buttons to press, to get under our skin. . 

Let me share a recent private challenge with you to illustrate my point. Just the other week, I had one of those days. I had to resolve a work progress issue with a member of our team, who’s a lifelong close friend. Much thought and preparation went into the meeting, which ultimately went well, and was uplifting for all involved. Although the process to get there was certainly taxing and an energy drain. As soon as I came out of that meeting, I found myself falling headlong into a misunderstanding with my mother.  Does this type of thing happen to you? Like someone is trying to teach you a lesson?

Over the years, these incidents have led me to search for strategies for forgiveness. And most of the time I realise there is at least an element of forgiving myself that I must address. This is, in my opinion, one of the reasons why it’s so powerful. Forgiveness is emotional release, just like the autumn leaves. Forgiveness, however, is not for the faint hearted, and although you may think it is, forgiveness is certainly not for other people. As Gandhi says:

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Practicing Autumn Breathing Cleanse Technique

Three strategies that I have found, that work best for me, are:

(i) Breath Cleansing

One of the best and simplest ways to strengthen your lungs is deep breathing. Especially outdoors, in the brisk autumn air. This nurtures and nourishes your immune system, supports your energy, and promotes good sleep. When you breathe deeply and deliberately, you flush your cells with the oxygen needed for all your bodily processes. Promoting the process of releasing and rejuvenating. Your lungs interact directly with the outside environment through your nose, mouth and skin pores. This plays an important role in fighting off external pathogens, like viruses and bacteria. As the temperature drops and winds become dry, you may notice cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a stiff neck, body aches, chills, fever, sore throat, headache, cough and runny nose. Existing skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, may get aggravated, and asthma or allergy reactions may flare. Now is the time to strengthen our Chi, energy, to prepare for winter.  

        Let’s get breath cleansing:

  • Consider each breath out, as a time for releasing any unwanted energies and developing the energy you desire. 

This is your time to heal and let go. You can be open to letting go of anything that no longer serves you. Focus on the simple in and out breath. A longer out breath will help you relax if you feel stressed or emotional.

  • With every breath out, you can let go.

  Release anything that holds you back or no longer serves you.

  • Now is the time to release and surrender.

Imagine as the leaves float to the ground, as the gentle breeze is carrying them. Along with these leaves, allow this breeze to carry what you no longer need. Feel the safety in this energy of releasing, to prepare for a renewal period and to make room for what is coming. 

  • Without falling leaves, there can be no new growth.

So…ground yourself in nature, close your eyes and breathe deeply as you feel the weight being lifted while you let go. Let go of anger, free all guilt. Liberate your grief. Release sadness. Free any judgments. Remove comparisons. Let go of shame. Unburden yourself of whatever is weighing you down. These emotions may have served you in the past, they may have protected you in some way, but now give yourself permission to release them. 

  • Should you have persistent negative thoughts invade your release cleanse.

Simply thank the thought for sharing. This helps it feel acknowledged. If it persists, rephrase or reframe it by adding “up until now” or “yet” to encourage it to feel heard. If it remains, then tighten your face and fists up on the in breath and release and relax on the out breath.

Autumn Cleanse Forgiveness and release 3 methods
  • Take another deep breath in, and as you breathe out feel the release.

Like the colourful leaves that fall from the branches. Feel a heavy weight being lifted from your shoulders. Like clearing out unwanted clutter from your mind.  

  • Now you have released everything you no longer need.

You feel a lightness, a calm feeling of inner peace. You look around you see the wind has stopped. The leaves have all fallen, and the forest of your mind is calm and still. 

(ii) Visualisation – Based on Forgiveness Visualisation by Vishen, at Mindvalley 

Forgiveness is when you let go of your resentment towards an individual or situation. Start by seeing the individual in front of you. As long as you sense they are there, it doesn’t matter if you cannot get a clear picture of their face. When you see them, remember that we are all connected.

  • Repeat the following phrase in your mind: “I forgive you and I ask you to forgive me”. 
  • Take a deep breath and as you exhale, feel your forgiveness flow to them, feel whatever resentment, anger or rage, release from your body.  
  • Now imagine this person telling you the same thing. “I forgive you, and I ask you to forgive me”. As they say it, take in a deep breath, and as you exhale, feel all regrets, resentment and rage, release from your body. 
  • Sometimes, if it is a deep, more painful memory, it can take longer to feel you’ve forgiven the person. Forgiveness is a trainable skill. One day, with practice, forgiveness will come. When you forgive, you improve your own health and you improve your own happiness in your life. 
Forgiveness and Release

(iii) Hawaiian Ho’ Oponono Technique

Simply say, or write these statements, with feeling (and whilst holding an image of the person you’re forgiving), in your heart and mind:

  • I’m sorry
  • Please forgive me
  • I love you
  • Thank you

Sometimes I practice these exercises in the safety and privacy of home. Other times, it can be a virtually immediate and deliberate response in the moment. When this is possible, it’s a great feeling, to let go, and not have it over my head for the rest of the day.

Autumn Release Acupressure Points

 3. Pressure Points & Brushing

If you have a thought that won’t budge, or a habit or behaviour that persists, try using acupressure points as well as the above practices. Even a meridian brush can amplify your results and improve your ability to release.  Also, notice if you wake up at night… What time is it? To help release the energy, you can brush your meridian channels, along your arms. 

  • Waking between 3:00 – 5:00am 

This is when lung energy is most active. Brush the inside of your arm from your shoulder to your thumb.  

  • Waking between 5:00 – 700am 

Focus on your large intestine meridian. Lightly brush with your fingers, from your pointer finger, all the way along the back of your arm, up your neck, and across to your opposite nostril.  You can also press acupressure points on yourself at home to strengthen your body, mind, and spirit. These metal points can help you let go of anything you no longer need. Releasing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual tension, as well as strengthening you from the inside out, to boost your personal composure. You can activate these acupressure points to clear stuck energy and emotions by stroking or pressing on the points. Let’s do it together now.  See the diagram:  Large Intestine1 (LI1)  and Lung 8 (Lu8).

  • LI1 – On the radial (also thumb) side of the index finger, about 0.1 finger width posterior to (towards the back of the hand) from the corner of the nail.
  • Lu8 – On the anterior (inside) forearm. Follow the line from the lateral (outside) edge of your thumb nail, to the depression at the base of the styloid process (wrist bone). 1 finger width above the transverse crease (across) your wrist.
  • To invigorate the energy, press these points gently  3 – 7 times.

Acupressure point
Autumn Cleanse nutritional support

4. Nourish with Nutritional Support of this season to Strengthen Your Body and Immunity

Healthy foods that can be easily added to many dishes, to further nourish our bodies, include: bay leaves, garlic, horseradish, leek, ginger, capers. They can support our lungs and boost our immune systems, naturally.

 

5. Allied Health Team Support

To strengthen your immune system and entire body, consider a ‘tune-up’ with a visit to your preferred professional practitioners. An osteopath, naturopath, acupuncturist or transformational massage therapist will be a complimentary support for your holistic Autumn cleanse. 

Wishing You Happiness and Strength This Autumn!

If you knew that you could, which aches and pains in your body, would you let go of?

If you were courageous enough, what thoughts, ideas or habits would you release?

Let us guide you along your wellbeing journey BlossomingMe is a holistic health service located on Sydney’s Upper North Shore.

Our specialised Remedial Massage Therapist and Osteopath offer a fully integrated approach, which assesses and addresses the specific issues in your body. With a clear understanding of your goals, we treat both mind and body to help you live your best life.

Book An Appointment
Healthy Teeth and Gums: Optimising with Food!

Healthy Teeth and Gums: Optimising with Food!

by | Dec 11, 2019 | Detox, Headaches, Healthcare & Wellbeing Tips, Nutrition, TMJ, Uncategorized

We all want healthy teeth and gums, right? Did you know that the health of our teeth, gums and mouth in general, is a window for the health of our bodies? If we have bleeding gums or chronic mild infection, this can directly increase the inflammation present in the rest of our body and may even be an indicator of ill-health somewhere else in our body. By eating fruits and vegetables, we can positively impact not only our general health, but also create the healthy teeth and gums that we want.

We know that fruits and vegetables are good for us, but
how do they help our mouth and teeth?

B VITAMINS

Many fruits and vegetables are rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. For example, folic acid and other B vitamins, found especially in leafy greens supports healthy cell growth in general, supporting a healthy mouth.

FIBRE

Fresh, crisp fruits and raw vegetables help freshen breath and clean plaque from teeth. Eating fibrous, fresh, raw foods such as apples, oranges, carrots or celery, as well as other hard and fibrous vegetables for example, help to clean teeth (although not a substitute for flossing and brushing). The large amount of chewing required, stimulates saliva production, washing away the acids present (citric and malic acids predominantly) as well as other food particles that may be present in the mouth. The chewing also stimulates the gums and reduces cavity causing bacterial build up.

VITAMIN C

Foods rich in vitamin C such as apples, pears, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes, protect tissues, including gums from cellular damage as well as against bacterial infection. Vitamin C also provides an immune boost, improves blood vessel and gum health and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

BETA-CAROTENE

Foods rich in beta carotene or any carotenoids, such as carrot, root vegetables (and celery) support vitamin A production, an essential nutrient for strong, healthy teeth.

COFACTORS FOR CALCIUM

Dark leafy green and cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cabbage, chard, asparagus and broccoli, contain a great variety of micronutrients. These include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, beta carotene, vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as the B vitamins already mentioned. Many of these nutrients especially magnesium and phosphorus are important for the body to absorb and store calcium in the bones and teeth. As well as supporting the body’s ability to balance pH, which is essential for strong bones and teeth.

ANTHOCYANINS

Cranberries have been shown to reduce plaque formation and tooth decay by disrupting an enzyme involved in this process. Anthocyanins, phytonutrients (plant nutrients) present in foods containing reds, purples and blues are also healthful. This includes foods such as all berries, pomegranates, cherries, eggplant, plums, prunes, raisins, red grapes, red apples, red onion, red cabbage, red kidney beans and beetroot. These compounds are powerful antioxidants that seem to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. Further, they may specifically prevent the attachment and colonisation of pathogens.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

These are just a few ways in which fruits and vegetables can help keep your mouth and teeth healthy.
Hopefully, it is clear that a large variety of different fruits and vegetables, especially encompassing the rainbow of colours, can support general health as well as tooth and mount health in a multitude of ways. Thus making eating as wide as possible a variety a useful, cost effective, efficient, simple and healthful strategy for most of us.

The easiest way to make use of the power of healthful fruits and vegetables is just to make sure to incorporate as many as you can into your daily life. Any improvements here will not only improve the quality of your general health, but also greatly impact your mouth. Allowing you strong and healthy teeth and gums, well into old-age.

Another, is to strip your diet back to a simple, clean eating protocol for just a short period of time. During this time, make sure that the majority of what you eat is fresh fruits and vegetables. This allows your digestive system a chance to not work so hard, as you’ve reduced your meat and processed food intake. This in itself, plus the addition of a larger volume of nutrients and fibre from this plant based eating, can allow your body to take a moment and remove more toxins from the system.

A short and simple detoxification process is a great way to periodically help your body to purge and to repair. Are you ready to begin a simple, food-based detoxification process? 

5 Reasons the Infra-Red Sauna can change your health!

5 Reasons the Infra-Red Sauna can change your health!

by | Sep 18, 2019 | Detox, Healthcare & Wellbeing Tips, Increase Energy, Massage, Pain, Weight loss

5 Reasons the Infra-Red Sauna can change your health!

Are infra-red saunas any good for you?

From the moment Alexis and I first experienced the sauna, with a remedial massage following it, we were both hooked! We found that the therapist could get in more deeply, because our muscles were already warm & relaxed, and therefore we got better results from the full treatment. Our personal experience, was our original reason for having an Infra-Red Sauna in our own clinic.
Do they actually do anything healthful themselves?
Infra-Red saunas can aid in healing specific ailments as well as improving your overall health and wellbeing. From helping you relax, to warming, softening and relieving your tight muscles and stiff joints, to improving circulation, boosting your immune system, and even assisting in weight loss.
Relaxation and mood boosting:
By triggering your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, your “Fight / flight response”, in a less stressful way, the heat from the sauna can help relieve physical and emotional tension in your muscles, warming and relaxing your whole body.
Infra-Red sauna can help lower your cortisol levels, a hormone connected with stress and stress-related health problems. As well as aid in increasing your endorphin (happiness hormone) and opiod levels (your body’s natural pain reliever). So your muscular pain and tension is reduced, you feel less stressed, more relaxed, happy and contented.
They may even improve your brain function and performance. Increasing neurotransmitters, in particular, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and norepinephrine, can enable your brain to function better, to grow new brain cells, and to more effectively protect these brand new neutrons (brain cells) from damage. Thus helping improve your cognitive performance.

Improved Circulation:
The heat created in an Info-Red sauna can increase your blood flow, bringing your blood vessels closer to the surface of your skin and enabling them to expand, to cope with the increased flow. This can assist the cells in your body to release waste and receive nutrition more easily. Further, according to Dr Chrisiane Northrup, MD., if done regularly, over time, this expansion process can help your blood vessels become more elastic. Which can improve your circulation and decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Dr Cohen agrees and further suggests that this improvement in circulation, can lead to better healing ability; especially your skin and superficial muscles, as well as relieving your muscle tension, improving muscular condition, losing weight, detoxification, clearer skin and greater immune health and generally feeling great.
Relief from sore muscles:
Muscle soreness, especially in the period 24 – 72 hours after exercise, is caused by tiny tears in the muscle fibres. Your recovery, is the process your body goes through, in healing these tears. As described above, the increased blood flow, helps rapidly clear the waste, in this instance, the debris and inflammation from the torn muscle cells, and deliver nutrients to foster healing.

Weight loss:
According to Dr. Masakazu Imamura, MD study, published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology in 2001, you can burn up to 400-600 calories in one 30 minute sauna session. That’s quite impressive, when you realise that investing that same 30 minutes in jogging or swimming, typically burns around 300 calories.

When it comes to weight loss, saunas can be very effective, as part of a health focused program. For best results that last, and are healthy and holistic, not just fast, we agree with Dr. Mukai, MD statement, that as part of a program “where you’re working on both diet and exercise, the sauna can be a beneficial component [of] a holistic plan.”

Detoxification:
Studies suggest that all of us have chemical toxins and heavy metals residing in our bodies’ fatty tissues, particularly in our liver and blood plasma. These toxins can contribute to various diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, autism and arthritis. Dr Christiane Northrup, MD, explains that whilst usually our sweat comprises of 95-97%water and the rest is salt, when using an Infra-Red sauna to induce it, as much as 15-20% of our sweat, is “made up of cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, heavy metals, sulphuric acid, and ammonia, as well as sodium and uric acid”. This, would, indicate she suggests, that using an Infra-Red sauna, to sweat, may enable your body to excrete these toxins. Dr Cohen agrees, and reminds us, that if you actively want to clear the toxic chemicals out of your body, it’s important to mop up the sweat from your skin with a towel, or else the toxins will just be reabsorbed into the skin.
Clearer skin:
This detoxification together with the improved circulation, mentioned earlier, can assist directly, to clear out waste and toxins as well as rapidly bringing in nutrients, leaving you with cleaner, clearer and revitalised skin.

Immune system:
When it comes to the Immune System, both Dr Christiane Northrup and Dr Gini Mansberg agree that the perception of the role of heat, in the body’s fight against infection, has changed. It’s not just about creating fever, as part of the immune system’s battle against the infection. They believe, that heat does more than that. It actually “stimulates and “activates the immune system”, possibly stimulating increased production of white blood cells and antibodies. Further, they suggest that heat from Infra-Red saunas, may do this as well.

So if you’re looking to significantly improve your overall health and wellbeing, boost your immune system or enhance your weight loss program, in a relaxing, enjoyable way, you might like to consider one, or even a series of visits to a local gym, spa or health and wellness provider, for your own relaxing, healthful Infra-Red sauna experience.

Have you used an infra-red sauna? What benefits have you noticed? Tell us in a comment below!