Change of Season

Spring  -  Time for Renewal 

Photo by Bron Hradsky, Creswick VIC

According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine we are all part of the makeup of the natural universe, intricately connected to the flux of the season. Whilst winter was a time to conserve energy and rest, spring is a time of sudden growth and regeneration.

Spring corresponds to the Wood element, which in turn is related to the Liver and Gallbladder energies. It is the changeover point from Yin in to Yang. The beginning of a new cycle of life. One day the trees are bare, the next they are fluorescent with new growth.

We naturally start to put our winter dreams into action, drawing from the season's invigorating energy helps us to find the inspiration we need to achieve our goals. Exercise is easier and pregnancy rates seem to soar  - at our clinic anyway!

Spring is a windy season in anyone's book, in Chinese Medicine the spring winds can stir up old ailments and injuries, carry pathogens and disrupt our bodies exterior defenses. It directly impacts the Liver energy and can disrupt its function of instigating movement and regulating body functions. 

If the Liver energy becomes stagnated stress, anger and depression will rise. If the Liver energy is healthy and flowing smoothly these emotions are calm and the spring winds are cleansing and uplifting, however if the Liver is constrained Spring can bring much suffering.

Keeping with the belief that by harmonizing oneself with the seasons we stay healthier through the prevention of disease there are many things we can do to help our bodies ride through this tumultuous time.  

Eat lots of leafy greens! Eating young plants - fresh greens and  sprouts can assist the Liver's function of regulating Qi flow. Think bitter foods for natural detoxification including romaine lettuce, asparagus, amaranth, rye, quinoa,  kale, parsley, and collard greens. Try these lovely salads: 

Mung Bean Noodle Salad 

Kale Spinach Detox Salad

We all know fluids are an important part of the elimination and cleansing process. Drinking small amounts water regularly, will help us keep well hydrated. Starting the day with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water will stimulate your liver and  bile production helping flush out toxins.  This is especially good practice for those who can not stomach, or don't have time for breakfast first thing in the morning.

Be active Now is the time to exercise outdoors, the fresh air helps invigorate Liver Qi flow. In the warmer weather take the opportunity to walk when possible, meet up with friends outside, or  sign up to a couch-to-5k challenge (it's great for us non-runners!) Whatever form of exercise you choose relax and enjoy the expansive energy of Spring.

Happy Year Of The Horse

January 31 2014 marks the beginning of the Year of the Wooden Horse in Chinese astrology.

By all accounts it should start with an explosion of bright ideas and enthusiasm as the exuberant Horse energy comes in. People tend to work well together in Horse years, co-operation and team work will be the way to achieve goals. It should be easier to find common ground  and interesting  solution to problems while even having a little fun in the process!
It will be interesting to see how this plays out on a global scale with the advent of social media and the ever reducing size of the global village.

With all this fresh optimism it's easy to be impulsive and somewhat impatient, two big lessons for the Horse year, but with Wood energy encouraging  slow growth and practical solutions it should be easier to temper these impulses.
This year seems to be about embracing life in its fullest, taking chances and enjoying yourself. It promises to be a lighter year. Its all about love and respect, building and moving forward.

If your expecting, or expecting to be expecting, this year your little one will be energetic, warm and intelligent. If they don't like something they will kick up one hell of a fight but they will love you wildly.  Its hard not to think of my sister as I write this. She is born in the year of the Horse and is definitely happiest when let to run freely doing her own thing.  She will stomp her feet, toss her mane and get in a right royal huff when  she feels she's being made to do something she doesn't want to.


Change began early at Quiescence with three of our practitioners leaving for some of the different opportunities that life presents. Stephaine has moved to the bluer waters of Port Macquarie while Keren will be welcoming her second child into the world soon and Sophie is embarking on a new business venture setting up her own clinic. I am very sad to see them go, but with change bring new opportunity as we welcome 3 new practitioners to the fold.

Daniel Saulwick has 20 years of experience under his belt, he is sharing his time between us and his clinic in Castlemaine. Andre Tse comes to us from Portland, Oregon. He has recently spent the past five years working at the Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary specialising in weight loss and burn out. And Rose is our newest recruit, some of you may have of met her at the IVF Support Clinic where she can been seen helping out over the past few years. They are all very lovely people and excellent practitioners who are looking forward to get to know you.