Body & beauty

NH’s Talking About: Harmonising Your Yin and Yang Energy

Feeling under the weather? You may find it’s because your yin and yang energy is unbalanced…

Have you ever connected with someone, who was the complete opposite to yourself, but it just worked? Nine times out of 10, a friend or family member will say: “ah well, opposites attract!” Or, in other words, they are the yin to your yang.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the world is formed of energy (qi) that can be divided into two forces – yin and yang. Everything, from the changing of the seasons to the taste of food, falls roughly into one or the other. While yin is traditionally feminine or negative and yang is masculine or positive, Jane Alexander, author of Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living (£14.99, Kyle Books), feels this is a little simplistic. Jane believes yin is the energy of contraction (gathering energy in) while yang is outward moving (the expression of potential). “For example, winter is considered full yin, the season of maximum contraction, while summer is full yang, the season of maximum expansion,” explains Jane.

If your yin and yang energies are out of balance your health can decline. Possessing too much yin can lead to cold and damp diseases such as coughs and colds, pneumonia and congestion. While having too much yang could mean you’re more likely to suffer from inflammation, fevers, arthritis, high blood pressure and IBS. To encourage harmony, Antonia Harman, emotion trauma expert and healer (divineempowerment. co.uk), suggests practising gentle forms of mindful activity, such as meditating, tai chi, walking or journalling. Jane describes this rebalance as a little like steering a car down a straight narrow lane. “You want to keep in the middle, not veer too much to either side.” So, for the time when you’re feeling out of sorts, here is a simple meditation technique to help get you started: “Simply breathe deeply and evenly,” says Jane. “Bringing all your attention to your breath, and focus for eight counts.” As you deeply inhale, visualise light and, as you exhale, picture darkness and make a loud humming sound like a bee, so it resonates all around your head. “Every time your mind wanders, gently return to the breath. Don’t beat yourself up or judge your thoughts – just let them go,” says Jane. If you find your own thoughts aren’t enough to distract you, turn to page 107 and learn of our favourite mindfulness apps.

“By keeping your body’s yin and yang energies balanced, you can feel physically robust and emotionally resilient, as well as strengthen your immune system,” says Jane. “It can also help you feel more peaceful,” adds Antonia, “because balanced energies can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.” Balance makes us more present, more self-aware and allows us to feel at one with the universe. For more meditation tips, visit exmoorjane.com.