By Mimi Kuo-Deemer
Xiu Yang
Throughout the centuries, xiu yang, which is the art of self-cultivation, is what the ancient Chinese have used to advance a sustainable, healthy and balanced way of living. It is also what helped them align with, respect and harmonise with the natural world.
One of the most immediate, simple, and direct ways you can embrace this approach to life is to live according to your body clock. According to Chinese medicine, you have twelve main organ systems with corresponding meridians, or rivers of energy that flow through the body. Each organ system relates to one of five elements, which are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water, as well as to certain hours of the day. Your organs are believed to function most optimally at different times. What’s fascinating is that now, contemporary science is beginning to confirm many of these rhythms. When you align with these natural and biological rhythms, you regulate your energy flow, which has an immediate and direct impact on your health and well-being.
Here are three practical and easy steps to help you step into rhythm with your body clock, and help you live a balanced and healthy day:
Always eat a substantial breakfast between the hours of 7 – 9am. These are the stomach hours. The stomach is an Earth element organ, and corresponds to qualities such as stamina, stability, and the ability to stay centered. For practitioners of xiu yang, this is the most important meal of the day, because what we take in through our stomachs in the morning fuels and supports the healthy functioning of all your other organs, such as your heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys to name a few. By eating a full breakfast, you will improve your metabolism and overall digestion, circulation and immunity. You will also have more energy throughout your day.
Between 3 – 5 pm, take time for tea! The hours between 3 – 5pm are the hours of your urinary bladder, when liquid waste is expelled and your body releases toxicity. By drinking more water (or tea!) during this time, you actively replenish your reservoirs and aid the process of detoxification. As waste is removed, some energy in your kidneys is also restored. This can result in a slight boost of concentration and productivity towards the end of the day.
Be sound asleep by 11pm. Between 11pm and 1 am are your gall bladder’s hours. In Chinese medicine, the gall bladder governs judgement and decision-making, and also removes and stores the liver’s bile. Liver and gall bladder relate to the Wood element in Chinese medicine. Being in deep sleep during these hours will support both organ’s optimal functions, decreasing tendencies towards irritation, anger or even violence – which are the signs of an imbalance in the Wood element. In fact, many statistics have shown that the highest incidences of violent crime happen between the hours of midnight and 12:59 am – a time of night that the body clock advises we should be in bed and asleep.
A full description of the body clock as well as many other tips for living more sustainably and vibrantly can be found in Xiu Yang: Self-Cultivation for a Happier, Healthier and Balanced Life.
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