The concept of Yin/Yang is one of the cornerstones of Chinese medicine and comes from the simple observation of the cycle of day and night. To be healthy we need to keep a balance between yin (rest) and yang (activity).
In the cool, dark hours of the night we return to stillness and rest... This is called yin. During the day light and warmth are back and it is time for movement, activity… which is called yang.
Physiologically, yin encompasses our ability to rest, be grounded, cool down, moisten and replenish our resources.
Yang is our capacity to be active, warm up, protect ourself from the enviromnent, transport and transform nutrients and fluids.
Yin and Yang represent the foundations of all bodily functions and are said to be stored in the Kidneys.
Yin deficiency
Sometimes we can find ourselves constantly on the go, and find it very difficult to stop and do nothing. We don't take enough time to rest, relax and replenish our batteries. Over a period of time this can lead to yin deficiency symptoms which are often worse in the yin time (evening and night). These are also typical signs of the menopause which is a time when the yin reserves of our body naturally drop due to hormonal changes.
-lack of moisture : dry mouth and throat, scanty dark urine, constipation with dry stools, red, peeled tongue.
-body not able to cool down : hot flushes, feeling of heat in the palms, feet, chest or cheeks, night sweats
-mind not able to rest or stay grounded: insomnia, anxiety…
Yang Deficiency
Or on the other hand we may be lacking energy and find it difficult to be active. Yang deficiency signs are worse in the day time and include:
-lethargy, sleeping a lot, can't get up in the morning
-lack of will power and motivation, low libido
-poor transformation and transportation of nutrients and body fluids: loose stools, diarrhoea, oedema, abundant clear urination, pale swollen tongue
-low immune system, propensity to catching colds
-feeling cold e.g. in belly, lower back, limbs, hands, feet…
We usually tend to be on one side or the other or we might display symptoms of both yin and yang deficiency, with one prevailing at a time, according to what's happening in our life.
Recommendations and exercises: Yin Deficiency
-shiatsu : long deep pressure on relevant yin meridians, barefoot shiatsu, lengthening the lower back, use of yin-nourishing points such as kidney 6, spleen 6, ren 4...
-the wave relaxation for tight brittle lower backs
-standing Qigong.
-meditation
-relaxation
Yang Deficiency
-shiatsu : dynamic tonification of relevant yang meridian, moxibustion on cold areas and yang-strenghtening points eg. ren 6, Du 4...
-exercising: running, outdoor activities…
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