Winter

In Chinese medicine the element water corresponds to winter. Our body consists of around 78% water - the flow and flow of the various fluids within us, the pulsation of the various rhythms, all of this belongs to the element water.

The organs that are connected to water are the kidneys and the bladder. The kidneys form the seat and base of life energy. They are seen as the treasury of the vitals essence . This refers especially to our earliest beginnings, to the energy we receive from our ancestors . Lethargy indicates a lackness of vital essence , this is expressed by inaccurate perception, unclear behavior or pain in the abdomen. They are associated with an imbalance in the kidneys which store the vital essence. The kidneys also regulate the water balance of the body. Every cell in the body is surrounded by water, the entire cell system bathes in fluid. It makes it possible for superfluous substances to be collected and excreted in the form of urine  . We can no longer take the treasure trove of Vital Essence for granted once we have become aware of the functions that depend on sufficient flow. Vast quantities of blood, approximately 57 liters an hour, flow through the kidneys, where it is purified and broken down into its nourishing components . If the blood does not flow through the kidneys as it should, this can result in symptoms such as hypertension (high blood pressure) or symptoms of intoxication that the body cannot cope with.

The bladder is assigned similar properties to the kidneys, it is not seen as a mere excretory organ. It is linked to the function of the kidneys and helps to store the vital essence. The bladder must store and excrete the body's liquid waste. Its adaptability is a key characteristic here. A person who is prone to severe depression, who feels unable to cope with life and who is afraid of change is indicating an imbalance in their bladder energy.

The feeling associated with the water is anxietyt; excessive anxiety damages the kidneys. Put very simply, we can view anxiety as a holding on - rather than continuing to run or letting go of the things that scare us.

When the energy is flowing properly, we will experience life like the flow of a river; when it is not flowing properly, we experience it as a nightmare, feeling crushed or swamped, sinking into despair.

Excerpts from:
From: Dianne Conelli, Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements

< 

Our vital cervical spine (cervical spine):

• Almost all nerve pathways in the entire body run through the neck to the brain with the highest priority.
• However, the neck is the thinner and weaker area of the spine. In addition to the nerve tracts, there are also many fine muscles and vessels that can be tense and dysfunctional.
If there is a disorder in the cervical spine, this can affect the whole body. The cervical spine in particular should therefore be strengthened and harmonized.However, even sporty people rarely have the opportunity to train their neck.
• That's why we recommend this MQA neck exercise while lying down
.

Positive effects:

• Improvement of blood circulation in the brain
• better quality of sleep,
• better memory,
• helps with migraines/headaches, tension in the head, neck and shoulder area, 
• for stroke prevention,
• Slowing down the ageing process,
• increase creativity and alertness,
• Improvement of mental performance,
• improves the quality of life,
• brings a lot of joie de vivre,
• and makes new friends when you tell others about it
.

Position:

• lying on the bed/mattress (or exercise mat on the floor)
• without a pillow (possibly roll a small towel to support the neck if necessary)
• Position the arms freely, on either side, e.g: Hands beside the body, on the lap, above the head.... Different positioning has different effects; get to know these and use them accordingly.

Implementation:

• Roll your head to the left and right until the auricle touches the mattress.
• Always try it out slowly at first and then it can go faster.
• If dizziness occurs, you can take a break until it passes. After that, you can continue.

For whom:

• For you and your partner as a good daily bedtime routine and to help you get up in the morning
.
• For your children for better concentration and creativity and thus for better school results.
• For your parents or grandparents: better memory, steady hands, a secure gait and a new zest for life
.
• For more interpersonal skills: even on the phone, your friends, relatives and acquaintances can learn the exercise. Feel free to share this MQA neck exercise as a Christmas gift and help others. You will get amazing joy!