Though the calendar marks the arrival of spring, the natural world is undergoing a dynamic transformation, shifting from winter's 'closure' to spring's 'opening.' Yet, our bodies often still cling to winter's tension (cold). During this delicate transitional period, many may find themselves troubled by discomforts such as hay fever or lower back pain.
Today, from the perspective of Unfolding Bodywork, we will decipher the discomforts of this season and share 'warming nurturing practices' you can begin today.
1. Is Symptomatic Treatment Merely 'Spraying a Fire Extinguisher on a Blaze'?
When we feel unwell, we often tend to think of 'quickly eliminating the symptoms.' However, from the perspective of Unfolding Bodywork, symptoms are vital messages from the body.
For example, forcefully suppressing hay fever symptoms with medication is like 'continuously spraying a fire extinguisher at a fire without addressing its source.' Temporarily, the smoke (symptoms) may vanish, but if the root causes—'coldness' and 'stagnant energy'—remain unresolved, a new blaze will ignite elsewhere.
Specifically, stopping a runny nose with hay fever medication forcibly traps the body's 'water' that should naturally be expelled. This can conversely further impede the circulation of water within the body, leading to sluggishness, a heavy sensation, and even new discomforts.
2. Simply Changing Your 'Beverage' Can Melt Away Body Stiffness
At Unfolding Bodywork, we value noticing the subtle shifts within the body. That seemingly innocuous drink you consume daily might actually be hindering your body's ability to 'relax and release tension.'
If you are experiencing discomfort now, why not choose to 'harmonize' your body rather than merely 'erase' the symptoms?
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Pause Coffee and Embrace Warm Tea While coffee is aromatic and offers relaxation, in Oriental medicine, it is considered to have a 'cooling' property. Especially during this season, if your hay fever is exacerbated by cold, try taking a break from coffee and switch to warm teas like Bancha or Hojicha. You will likely feel a subtle release of deep-seated tension in your body.
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Warm from the Core with "Ginger Tea" (Powder is Recommended!) "Ginger tea," featuring ginger added to black tea, is an excellent companion for expelling the cold accumulated during winter. Here's a crucial point: powdered ginger (or dried ginger) is recommended over fresh ginger. In Oriental medicine, fresh ginger helps dissipate heat from the body's surface, while dried ginger (Kankyo) is considered to have significantly stronger warming properties for the body's core, specifically deep within the abdomen.
To release tension in the 'solar plexus (diaphragm),' which is vital in Unfolding Bodywork, warmth from the core is essential. Let's gently melt the inner ice using powdered ginger.
3. Choose with 'Feeling' Not 'Thought'
There's no need to restrict yourself with rules like 'I must not take medicine' or 'I must not drink coffee.' What's important is to ask yourself, 'How does my body feel after consuming this?'
That sensation of your lower abdomen gently warming and your breath deepening after a sip of warm tea—that feeling of 'comfort' is the beacon guiding you back to your innate radiance (True Radiance).
Time to Unwind and Soften Yourself
Spring's discomforts are a crucial process, signifying that you are seeking to reconnect with your 'true self.'
By warming your body and releasing tension, blocked energy can begin to flow freely once more. Let go, for a moment, of forcibly suppressing symptoms, and instead, allow yourself time to nurture your being with a warm beverage. That small step marks the beginning of a great transformation (unfolding).