Anatomy — Blog 2 — Yoga Bloom

In Chinese culture, the world is a harmonious space where all beings exist in balance with Nature. The rhythms of weather and seasons influence us directly and indirectly, as we are part of a holistic whole.

Each season corresponds to an organ and one of the Five Elements, carrying unique energies, emotions, and health practices that help us align with nature’s cycles. As seasons shift, our organs are nurtured, cleansed, and supported to promote wellness.

SPRING: The Season of Rebirth

Spring is a time of fresh beginnings, vibrant energy, and renewal. The sun warms the Earth, seeds sprout and flowers bloom. Where winter called for rest and conservation, spring invites regeneration—a resurgence of spirit.

Spring is ruled by the Wood element, governing the Liver and Gall Bladder. Like budding trees, its energy moves upward, with resilience and growth. The earth awakens: animals emerge from hibernation, blossoms unfold, and life surges forward. This is a season of fertility, new ideas, and planting seeds for the future.

As the days grow longer, our bodies naturally crave more movement. Where winter encouraged stillness, spring urges us to go outside, to breathe deeply, stretch and walk. Yet, as temperatures shift, staying well-covered and warm remains important to avoid chills.

With smooth Qi flow, the mind relaxes. Emotional flexibility helps us embrace spring’s vibrant energy without overwhelm.

FOOD IS MEDICINE

Chinese medicine believes firmly we are what we eat. Dietary guidelines follow Nature’s cycle. Winter called for warming and storing foods; Spring is a time for cleansing and revitalising ones.

Shift with the season:

Winter: Slow-cooked, warming foods (roasts, stews).
Spring: Lightly cooked greens (kale, dandelion, mint), sprouts, and steamed or stir-fried dishes.
Color therapy: Embrace green—renewal—through fresh leafy vegetables.

WOOD: The Element of Growth & Flexibility

Wood embodies growth, vision, and unyielding resilience. Like a sapling pushing through soil, spring calls us to rise, stretch, and awaken. Winter demanded hibernation; spring demands movement, vitality, and the courage to begin anew.

A tree thrives when flexible yet rooted. We prune dead branches to encourage strength—just as we must release stagnation to grow. This season mirrors life’s cycles: challenges become opportunities, frustration transforms into clarity and action.

Aligning with Wood element through diet, movement, and awareness, we can harness the seasons vibrant potential for renewed health and creativity.

How will you support renewal this season? Where do we stretch—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—to align with this season’s fearless growth? Perhaps through movement, breath, or stepping outside to witness nature’s awakening. Let’s welcome this fresh energy together!

The LIVER (肝, Gān) & Spring’s Energy

This is the season of the Liver (肝, Gān) that governs physical detoxification, decision-making, and forward momentum. In Chinese medicine, the Liver is the "General of the Army" (将军之官, Jiāngjūn zhī guān), orchestrating the smooth flow of Qi and blood.

Its role extends beyond the physical, as it is the seat of our emotional winds, the unseen force that stirs action, creativity, and our capacity to feel. When Qi flows smoothly, all is well. Balanced Liver Qi brings clarity, creativity, and resilience; when stagnant, we face indecision or frustration.

Physical signs of Liver health:

Strong nails, supple tendons, bright eyes.
Healthy emotional expression (especially anger).

Spring Liver Care:

Sleep earlier to aid detoxification.
Eat lighter: Greens, sour flavors (lemons, vinegar).
Move Qi: Deep breathing, outdoor walks, new projects.
Massage LV-3: between big toe and second toe to “release what’s stuck”

Spring offers the dynamic, upward, and expansive force needed to transform these emotions into clarity and action. When Liver energy flows freely, we feel inspired, adaptable, and full of vision.