BALANCING Yin & Yang Energy

We’ve all heard of qi. Sometimes it is spelled chi, or xi, but it’s pronounced the same, and it’s the same concept. It’s not just some outside force with which we come into contact. We all have qi— it is the energetic life force in all of us, and it governs every aspect of our health, our personality, and overall disposition.

Since chi roughly translates to energy, and people can gravitate to having very high or very low qi in general. If people have very low qi, think that they vibrate at a lower frequency. This could mean lethargy, the craving of sweets or comfort foods, cold hands, and slow circulation. Some people run hot, and have very high qi. They often sleep very hot, they have high energy, and sweat often.

Regardless of what the predominant level of qi one possesses, we all have both yin and yang energy, the two halves that form the wholeness of this qi energy. This comes from a Traditional Chinese Medicine way of dualism— the concept that we all have light and dark, fast and slow, feminine and masculine within us. The balance of these opposing dualistic qualities is how we achieve total alignment both physically and emotionally.

Yin energy is typically defined as feminine. It is the dark and mysterious, loving and nurturing, passive and calming energy of the night. It’s slow, sensual, deeply nourishing, and restorative. It’s rich and sable, musical, and fluid. It’s often associated with water.

Yang energy is known as masculine. It’s heated and boisterous, high-energy and loud. It’s the oftentimes frantic and overpowering energy that exists in a bustling city at high noon. It’s vibrant and colorful, bright and upward moving.

It may be clear to whomever is reading this which type of qi is out of balance with yourself. Maybe you feel very anxious and high strung, have trouble sleeping, and find yourself tapping your foot incessantly throughout the work day, or clenching your jaw. Maybe you’re loud and turbulent, you have trouble listening to others before feeling a need to interject. If you crave high-energy music and spicy foods, but can’t seem to relax and have incessant heartburn, you might be feeding into your already high yang qi.

Maybe you’re often tired. You feel very calm, but this leaves you feeling uninspired or unmotivated. Making deadlines can be a struggle, and getting self-started to work out or exercise takes some serious willpower. Maybe you feel emotional, or are having a tough time digesting food. Sometimes this lethargy can lead to constipation, or cold limbs, a puffy face, or a craving for sweet, cold food. These are signs of low yang, and too high or imbalanced yin energy. Time to invite the masculine into your life.

Other signs of imbalance can manifest itself on our skin. We might be dry, or very oily. We might break out in blemishes, or rashes. We may feel sad, or feisty, always looking for a fight. It’s important to note every single thing that feels bothersome or uncomfortable, and determine whether it feels yin, or if it is yang that is out of balance. Then we can determine what the next steps are. One bit of good news is that one cannot exist without the other. We cannot be completely devoid of yin or yang, we always possess both. They can just become out of balance due to our lifestyle habits, so all we need to do is adjust.

Feng Shui Your Space

Try starting with your physical space. If your yang, or active qi is high, consider the colors and imagery. Do you have bold, vibrant art in your room? Do you have cold, white or fluorescent lights? Is there a TV in this space? If so, try and remove as much technology from the bedroom as possible, and swap out the art for soothing images. Opt for warm, cozy lighting, and invest in soft bedding. Light candles and invite relaxation into this very yin space that is meant to cultivate restorative rest and relaxation. Feng Shui plays a large role in balancing yin and yang.

Eat a Diverse Diet

Start adding more varieties of fruits and veggies to your diet. Too often we get in the habit of eating the same things, but that will only continue to feed the same energies. Try incorporating new or seasonal produce into your daily diet to allow for new micronutrients and phytonutrients to nourish the body in a multitude of ways. A well-balanced diet allows for well-balanced qi.

Mix up Your Workouts

While some tend to stick with high-intensity workouts for max fitness results, it can feed a high yang. At the same time, some may be hesitant to exercise at all. We need a balance of both, so make sure to incorporate cardio and weightlifting into a fitness regime, but don’t forget low intensity activities like stretching, yoga, and pilates. And of course, take at least one solid rest day a week.

Tune in to Yourself

Now that we know what constitutes yin and what is yang, we can begin to understand the antithesis of each. Try engaging your body and mind with activities that oppose your normal gravitational pull in order to achieve balance and equilibrium. As you make this a continued practice, watch your state of being and your power of attraction grow stronger when you find your center.