Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Metal: The Element of Autumn

Chinese and Korean Taoist Natural healing schools have used the concept of the Five Elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water - as a major part of their diagnosis and treatment practice for over two thousand years. Each element is related to a season, a yin organ, a yang organ, and many other areas in the human experience. All relate directly to the task of balancing mind, body and spirit.

Metal is the element of Autumn. As we move into this change of season there are many things that we should be aware of from the Taoist wellness point of view. The metal element is related to Lungs, which is a yin organ, and the Large intestine, which is a yang organ. Mantak Chia provides a very clear description of how the Autumn metal energy frequency effects our well being in his book Chi Nei Tsang: Internal Organs Chi Massage.

Master Chia writes about ancient Taoist concepts of Autumn metal frequency being linked with the planet Venus as it approaches from the West. It is strongest during the Fall season. Its energy is most active between 3-5 AM. The Lungs are the yin organs connected to the metal frequency and are considered the body’s energy force. They control Ki, also known as Chi, both terms meaning breath and energy. They control both breathing and energy circulation. Lung conditions are reflected in the skin. Taoists consider the skin as “the third lung”. Taoist internal energy training techniques allow Ki energy to be drawn directly through the pores of the skin.

The Large Intestines are the yang organs connected to metal energy. Taoists consider both the Lungs and Large Intestines internal extensions of the skin. The large intestines includes the cecum, the appendix, colon, anal canal and rectum. During Autumn there are exercises that help balance the metal energy of Autumn to prevent or address unbalances in metal energy such as skin problems, respiratory ailments, constipation, depression, bloating and lack of energy.

I have asked Grand Master Abdul Musawwir to join me this fall at the City College Adult and Continuing Education Program (ACE) to teach an internal energy training class on Saturdays in October from 11AM-1PM. The name of the class is Introduction to Internal Energy Training for Health, Longevity and Self Defense. Master Musawwir is considered one of the most knowledgeable internal martial arts instructors on the East Coast. His workshop will include exercises that address the Autumn metal energy frequency. I will conduct Part II of the Tao of Health, Happiness and Longevity workshop. My workshop will focus on both the Autumn element of metal as well as the Winter element of water, which is related to the Kidneys and Bladder. My workshop will be every Tuesday in October from 6-7:30PM.

For best results I suggest you register for both workshops. For information and registration call ACE at 212 650-7312. You can also view the workshop descriptions at www.ccny.cuny.edu/ace, in the personal development section.