Winter in the Tao

Happy New Year Everyone!
I wanted to talk a bit about Winter because it always seems like a hard time of year for most people. I decided a few years ago to follow a Taoist approach to winter and It has really helped me be ok with the season of cold and dark.
Winter is a time of deep Yin energy which means that the feminine energy is drawing the Earth's energy down deep into the ground. This is the perfect time of year to RELAX. Sleeping too much? maybe eating too much? Feeling heavy or slow? That's OK ( within reason of course)! This is the time of year when we should honor our bodies natural rhythm to take it easy and expend the LEAST amount of energy possible. Our bodies are hard at work overcoming cold temperatures and lack of sunlight. So go ahead and take that nap, read that book or just chill out with a good movie. Regular get-togethers with friends can also help to bring some of that sunshine of the soul out, Laughter!
It's an auspicious time to work on new ideas that can "spring" into action once spring comes around again. It's also the best time to work on a creative project that you've always wanted to because 1. there's not much going on to distract you outside and 2. because this Yin energy is a creative force. Look to our friends the plants. Tap into the energy of winter, notice the seeds (or ideas)  waiting, mellowing in the ground just waiting for the ideal moment, the ideal conditions!  Combine with the excitement and energy of the New Year You when everyone is focusing on a new beginning, and you could really see how this can be powerful magic for any new project!
We can also use this time to really delve into a spiritual practice we have always wanted to begin. The darkness and Yin energy is there to help us reach into the depths of our souls. To search and find what it is we have been looking for. Women can tap into Yin energy to practice strengthening their goddess within or men can to understand their feminine aspects. Both men and women can use this time to establish better connections with their female relatives and loved ones.
The Feminine Darkness is not scary but comforting, like the womb or the warmth underneath the covers on a chilly night.
One more thing about food. We all eat and kinda have too. I use this time of the year to try out all kinds on soup and stew recipes. These food are warm and cooked well so that our bodies become warm from the inside AND don't have to spend too much energy digesting them. Double Bonus! I think of soup as a warm hug. Also I noticed years ago that I crave citrus fruits more in the winter than anytime else. If you've noticed the citrus is good this time of year. Their are many different varieties and the stores always have big displays. I believe it is because, of all fruits, the citrus represents the sun and sun energy and I think our bodies inherently know how to naturally get more "Sun"!
Anyways that's enough for now. Hopefully you can use some of this info to help you get through this season. I know it has helped me and others.
Best of luck to you in the New Year!

Winter News!!!

Happy New Year!! Welcome Water Dragon year!
I haven't wrote in awhile but much has been happening. It's winter and a New Year and I am very excited to let you all know that I will be teaching Healing Tao classes once a week at Whatever Works Wellness Center and White Willow School of Tai Chi at 7433 Montgomery Road  Cincinnati, OH 45236. The classes will be held on Thursdays from 6:00-7:00pm starting Feb 2nd! I will be teaching the fundamentals levels 1-4 in easy one hour classes. They will be taught sequentially but I will also answer questions or help to direct in another level at that time. I will also be teaching a Tao Yin class there but have yet to nail down a day yet, so stay tuned!
For further info please message me! I love answering questions! :)

Welcome Autumn!

Ahh, Autumn or Indian Summer called by some. It's just an amazing time of year. I always get the burst of energy as soon as the weather cools down and the sun's rays start coming in at an angle.
It's a magical time of year when one can feel the sense of accomplishment after all the busyness of summer and the winding down of nature headed for her deep sleep of winter.
The veils between this reality and others is thinner and it just seems like something magical can happen at any minute. As a sluggish type personality I always feel that soon it will be time to have a great excuse to stay bundled up with a good book or movie! :)
OH and let's not forget about the delicious foods of autumn like pumpkins and squash, apples, cider, soups and stews! I've allready started my rounds of favorite soup and stew recipes. Yum!!!

In Taoist tradition autumn is the time of the earth element. In our organ systems the Spleen and Stomach holds the Earth element. The spleen holds the emotion of worry and also excessive thinking.
Right now is a good time to stop the worry and excessive thinking and put your energy into finishing up projects started in the summer, getting your house in order and taking that next step you keep thinking about taking!

As Taoist we honor the natural world throughout the seasons so on the weekends or when you have a chance get out into Nature! Take a walk and explore the different leaf colors with your friends or family. Notice the different wildflowers and their palette of mostly yellows (earth, stomach, spleen), with oranges, reds and purples. Enjoy the angle of the sun and how it's light makes everything look a little more extreme. Indulge in local foods ripe now at your local farmer's markets. Make dishes with those season veggies and fruits!  Go to some fall festivals! Whatever you do just make sure you're taking the time in your life to notice the natural world, it's bounties and revel in it. This will also help you to feel more grounded and in touch with yourself, your community, your world and the underlying force, the Tao, that keeps everyone and everything connected, living and evolving!