Yin and Yang - Bellingham Acupuncture - Yin and Yang Theory (2023)

FAQs

What is yin and yang theory in acupuncture? ›

In traditional Chinese medicine, illness is believed to be caused by an imbalance of yin and yang in the body. In an excess of yin, the yang qi would be damaged, leading to the development of a cold disease. Excess of yang will likewise damage yin qi and lead to a heat disease being developed.

The Five Phases: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water

Yin and Yang define the universe as the interaction of polar opposite forces. The Five Phases theory further differentiates this dynamic into five stages of transformation.

Yin Yang theory is based on four principles: Opposition, Interdependence, Mutual Consumption, and Intertransformation. In Chinese medicine, all parts contribute to a whole (holistic view.) Yin and Yang is all about understanding one thing in relation to another.

Acupuncture, which is rooted in a 3,000 year-old Chinese tradition of yin and yang, is believed to cure diseases by re-establishing the 'energy balance' in organs when it goes awry.

Despite the differences in the interpretation, application, and appropriation of yinyang, three basic themes underlie nearly all deployments of the concept in Chinese philosophy: (1) yinyang as the coherent fabric of nature and mind, exhibited in all existence, (2) yinyang as jiao (interaction) between the waxing and ...

Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

The tradition of Five Element acupuncture is based on the understanding of this cyclical flow of vital energy – also known as Qi. Each of the Five Elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – represents a distinct quality of the Qi energy that is vital to the continual health and flow of nature.

In traditional medicine, Yin-Yang theory and five element theories are basic principle knowledge and important guidance in pathology, physiology, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Four pathological changes of Yin-Yang imbalance occur. There are Yang Excess, Yin Excess, Yang Deficiency and Yin Deficiency.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), five elements, or five phases, theory outlines the relationship between the different elements in nature and the life force, or "qi," that flows through them. The basic elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

EXERCISE. Daily gentle forms of exercise are encouraged to support both yin and yang energies to help bring them into balance. This can be Yin Yoga, Walking or Swimming. Just 15 minutes a day will contribute to rebalancing your chi.

How do you control Yin and Yang energy? ›

Yin and yang are in constant flux. If one becomes unbalanced in the body, illness occurs. For example, since yin is cold, an excess of yin can cause illnesses such as insomnia and dry-mouth. Conversely, a yang deficiency can cause cold limbs and a sickly-complexion.

In terms of astrology, you are a Yang type if your birth chart is dominant in the fire and air signs. These are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius. You are a Yin type if your chart is made up of mostly earth and water.

If striking a balance of yin and yang energy is not achieved, then we have disharmony, which can lead to anxiety, lack of focus, worries about the future, depression, stress, and over or underweight, etc. Stress and illness are nature's way of telling you that you're out of balance.

Symptoms of too much yang and not enough Yin are: feeling hot, restlessness, dry skin, scanty urination, constipation, and fast pulse. Symptoms of too much Yin and not enough Yang are: feeling cold, not thirsty, low energy, edema, frequent urination, looses stools, and slow pulse.

Taoism philosophy is based on three pillars: simplicity, patience, and compassion. Lao Tzu said that these three principles are our greatest treasures. He further explained that by being simple in actions and in thoughts, you return to the source of being.

In simple terms, yin is characterized as negative, passive, and feminine, among other things, whereas yang is seen as positive, active, and masculine, among other things.

One recurring theme of critics is that the concept of acupuncture points has no scientific validity. Meanwhile, the subject of whether-or-not acupuncture points “exist” has been given too little attention within the acupuncture research community.

Mental acupuncture implies that the Buddhism idea is considered in acupuncture. Secondly, the Buddhist medicine is the combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine. The needle box had become the necessity of the medical scholars in traveling.

Is there real science behind acupuncture? ›

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that has been used for millennia to treat chronic pain and other health problems associated with inflammation, yet the scientific basis of the technique remains poorly understood.

Eight principles: excess (obstructed uterus/ren/chong vessels by pathogen, e.g. cold, heat, dampness/phlegm, qi stagnation, blood stasis); deficiency (kidney qi, yang, yin, essence).

The Six Qi are tai yin (Dampness), yang ming (Dryness), shao yin (Heat), tai yang (Cold), jue yin (Wind/inwards movement) and shao yang (the light of Ministerial Fire/outwards movement). This climatic understanding is transferred to the human body and the physiological functions of the twelve main meridians.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the four seas are the sea of water and grain, sea of qi, sea of blood, and the sea of marrow. The four seas flow into the twelve main acupuncture channels and have a powerful effect on their related systems. When the four seas are functioning well, the human body is healthy.

In traditional Chinese medicine, practiced for thousands of years, all things—both substances as well as processes—have yin and yang qualities. Yin is feminine, yang is masculine. Yin is cold and wet, yang is hot and dry.

Yin and Yang are often thought of as polar opposites on a most basic level. But the concept of Yin and Yang goes much deeper. Yin and Yang also falls into the realm of quantum physics. It could be considered, like karma, an esoteric way of understanding the governing laws of the planet.

Some elements nourish each other and some elements control each other. Water is the most yin for example. It's slow, dark, and cold. Fire is the most yang.

A good practitioner should attempt to apply all four aspects of the Methods of Diagnosis — Observation ( Inspection), Auscultation and Olfaction, Palpation, and Inquiry — before drawing a conclusion.

The virtues of each element are Wisdom, Listening (water), Benevolence (wood), Partnership, and Truth (fire), Thoughtfulness and Support (earth), and Respect (metal).

Chakras are articulated within Chinese Medicine through the Three Treasures (energy): Generating (Jing), Vital (Qi) and Spirit (Shen). These as a cumulative whole represent the Dantians (chakras). These dantians are composed of upper, middle and lower centers.

What foods increase Yin? ›

Nuts and seeds: coconut (coconut oil, coconut milk, unsweetened fresh or dried coconut), sesame seeds and tahini, black sesame seeds, and walnut. Proteins: aduki beans, black beans, kidney beans, lima beans, mung beans, fish and seafood (except shrimp and prawns), beef, duck, goose, pork, rabbit, chicken and duck eggs.

Foods that are thought to contain a harmonious balance of yin and yang are: whole grains, cereals and millets — brown rice, oats, rye, buckwheat, whole wheat; fresh fruits; nuts and seeds; vegetables and pulses.

Low libido and general motivation. Lower backache, sometimes accompanied by pain in the knees and legs, which feels worse in the cold weather. Often, there is diarrhoea and lower back pain just before or at the beginning of the period. Dysmenorrhea can occur if the Yang is insufficient to 'drive' the blood flow.

Duck and beef, warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, alcohol, nuts such as almonds and peanuts, eggs and glutinous rice are considered yang foods. Yin foods are generally bitter, salty and sour, while yang foods are generally sweet and pungent.

Invite life energy: Yang vibes are generated in the presence of living beings and natural elements like flowing water features and tall plants. Alternatively, you can move appliances and electrical devises to your living room as noise, movement and heat; all set the atmosphere for enhancing yang energies.

Yin/Yang: Two halves that mutually form the wholeness of Qi. The mixing of the two energies makes life possible. When life-force energy is appropriately balanced between Yin and Yang, it flows smoothly maintaining and promoting a good state of physical and emotional health.

The ubiquitous yin-yang symbol holds its roots in Taoism/Daoism, a Chinese religion and philosophy. The yin, the dark swirl, is associated with shadows, femininity, and the trough of a wave; the yang, the light swirl, represents brightness, passion and growth.

Yin/Yang: Two halves that mutually form the wholeness of Qi. The mixing of the two energies makes life possible. When life-force energy is appropriately balanced between Yin and Yang, it flows smoothly maintaining and promoting a good state of physical and emotional health.

Yin-Yang theory in food

Chinese medicine defines the energy of food as hot, cold, warm, cool, and neutral. Hot and warm foods are Yang foods while cool and cold foods are Yin foods. It is the same definition as our body constitution.

Excess Yin results in cold hands and feet, lethargy, poor blood circulation, and pale complexions. Exterior and Interior pattern pairing indicates the location of the imbalance, but not the reason behind it. An exterior pattern refers to external factors such as hot weather, cold winds that influence the body.

Is yin-yang hot or cold in principles of acupuncture? ›

Generally speaking, yin is Cold. 2. Yang: Yang, along with yin is used to describe the relationship between the other three pairs of the Principles. For example, Heat is Yang.

In terms of the interpretation of Taiji and Yin and Yang by Confucianism and Taoism, Taoism attaches importance to Yin, believing that Yin represents the law of nature and Yang represents the activities of people in pursuit of fame, wealth, and individual desires.