The autumnal equinox represents a unique balance in the natural world. In planetary science, it’s a point when the northern and southern hemispheres share the sun’s rays in nearly perfect harmony. This occurrence reflects a delicate balance between Yin and Yang energies in Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong.
Chinese Medicine and Qi Gong offer powerful practices to help you harness the wisdom of the natural world in your own personal life. Since the autumnal equinox embodies the essence of balance, it’s the perfect teacher for cultivating greater balance in everyday living. In this blog, we share how you can channel the wisdom of the autumnal equinox to experience greater harmony and fulfillment.
The autumnal equinox marks the transition from summer to fall. During the autumnal equinox, the sun is directly above the equator. This means that the northern and southern hemispheres receive the same amount of sunlight. Additionally, the days and nights are just about the same length.
Throughout history, the autumnal equinox signaled the change in seasons. For farmers, this was important for knowing when it was time to harvest crops and store them for the coming winter. For nomadic cultures, the autumnal equinox was important for determining when it was time to start their winter migration. Essentially, the autumnal equinox held great significance for helping our ancestors survive and thrive.
In the twenty-first century, most cultures no longer rely on the autumnal equinox to determine their survival patterns. Unfortunately, this has contributed to a growing disconnect between people and the natural world. However, as an individual, you can still make intentional decisions and learn from the wisdom that nature has to offer.
Both the circadian and seasonal balance present during the autumnal equinox reflects the balance between Yin and Yang energy. For humans, this balance is important for all aspects of well-being.
When life becomes unbalanced, your quality of life can suffer dramatically. For example, if you overwork yourself and don’t spend any time with loved ones, your health and relationships might suffer. On the other hand, if you only spend time relaxing at home and not working, you might not be able to support yourself financially. When it comes to finding balance in your work life, it’s important to find the right blend of work and relaxation.
There are numerous other aspects of life that require balance. Relationships require a balance between speaking and listening in order for both individuals to feel respected. To be healthy, you need to have the right balance between exercise and relaxation. Even your diet requires balance so you’re getting all the nutrients you need from different kinds of foods.
It’s easy to understand why balance is important, but it’s not always simple to live a life that reflects true balance. If you’re like most people, there are areas of your life in which you gravitate toward one extreme or the other.
To cultivate balance, it’s important to take a step back to reflect. Try to think about areas of your life in which you might be out of balance. A few helpful questions to ask yourself include:
Are you consistently getting enough sleep or are you staying up later than you would like?
Do you spend enough time with your loved ones or is that something you want to prioritize more moving forward?
Do you feel like you do a good job with both speaking and listening when you’re communicating with others? Or, do you struggle with one of the two?
Do you get enough downtime, or are you always busy doing things? It’s important to get enough rest in order to stay centered. On the other hand, do you take action to carry through with your intentions? Taking action is an important part of bringing your visions into fruition.
These are just a few questions you can ask yourself when seeking to cultivate more balance in your life. As you go through this process, try to not judge your answers. If there are parts of yourself that feel out of alignment, try viewing it as an opportunity to grow.
Qi Gong helps you slow down and understand how you’re showing up in the world on a deeper level. This enables you to more easily identify where you might be out of balance in your life. It also helps you gain the clarity to make positive changes that bring you into alignment.
If you’re new to Qi Gong, our free two-week trial is the perfect opportunity to learn how the practice can make a difference.
When you sign up for the two-week trial, you’ll gain access to unique Qi Gong classes taught by master teacher, Lee Holden. The exercises that Lee teaches are designed to help you become fully aware of your body and mind so you can find equilibrium within yourself, even when the world around you is unpredictable. Click on the banner below to discover how Qi Gong can help empower you to live with clarity and purpose.
