This time I want to dig a little deeper, because the kidneys (also called the "root of life") play a fundamental role in our health and wellbeing—especially now in winter—and what the bear has to do with all of that...
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys are like the storehouse of our vital energy—Jing—inherited from our parents at birth. Imagine it as a flame that allows us to grow and develop. In childhood, this flame shines brightly, driving the growth of bones, hair, and teeth. Later in adolescence, the flame is at its highest point, allowing the organs to mature and the capacity to reproduce. During adulthood, it stays steady, giving us strength and vitality. But just as the seasons change, with age the essence of the kidneys weakens. Personally, I can feel that weakening when I don’t take care of myself... (too many activities, one drink too many, not enough exercise...). It’s as if we enter a personal autumn, with signs like diminished hearing, back pain, hair loss, and so on. Keeping the kidneys in balance is important for sustaining a healthy life over time!
What’s more, in winter—the water element, the organ pair of kidney and bladder—we need to care for and strengthen them even more because of the cold and the humidity that increase now. Some of the forms that harmonize, conserve, and strengthen are the bear forms. (Enter the loving bear!!!!)
The bear that moves with heaviness, power, and perseverance is the emblematic animal of winter: it stores its energies while knowing when and how to use its strength to reach its goals. Embodying the bear forms supports us in doing exactly that! Storing our energies and knowing how to use them well.
Want to practice this in your body? Each course works with one element at your own pace, with immediate access. And if you don’t know where to start, write to me.
