A winter 7-day journey into health

Renee Lehman

"Warmth of the Spring gives rise to birth,
the Fire of Summer fuels rapid growth and development,
the coolness of Fall matures all and provides harvest, and
the coldness of Winter forces inactivity and storing.
This is the rhythmic change of nature.
If the four seasons become disrupted,
the weather becomes unpredictable and the energies of the universe will lose their normalcy.
This principle also applies to the body."
- Su Wen, chapter 6

(1/2019) In the December article, it was discussed that we should follow Natural Law and conserve our energy during the winter. How much of your energy did you spend over the holidays? Are you feeling fatigued and worn down? Have you gotten sick? This is like spending all the money in your bank’s checking account. It’s like spending all of the money in your checking account?

Think about the following analogy. Your bank’s checking account is analogous to the energy checking account that you pay your "energetic bills" from on a daily basis. How do you increase the money in your checking account? By depositing more money or by withdrawing less money from your bank’s checking account.

The same is true for your "energetic checking account." We tend to spend, spend, spend from our energy checking account. We deplete our energetic checking account, and then we feel worn out and get sick. So, how would you like to learn how to save your energy? How would you like to deposit more energy into your energy checking account?

From January 13 until January 20, Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation and Grand Master Nan Lu, OMD is offering a Soup Cleanse to support your body-mind-spirit and give yourself a chance to rest and begin building your energy for the upcoming season of spring. In other words, this virtual program is meant to give you an opportunity to increase the energy in your energetic checking account!

What is meant by this being a virtual program? You can live anywhere in the world and participate in this program. All you need is a way to access the internet. You will have exclusive access to all the materials online beginning January 13. How does this work? When you register online, you will receive a confirmation email. Then two days prior to the program’s start, you’ll receive a shopping list of suggested food items. One day before, you’ll receive a link to log into your program materials.

As mentioned in the December article, winter is a time to truly rest and build energy for the coming spring season. How does this 7-day program support our body-mind-spirit?

Grand Master Nan Lu will share Qigong exercises that are specific to the needs of the season, guide you in what foods to prepare and offer teachings that will deepen your understanding of natural law. He will also share tips that you can do now to ensure an energetically balanced new year.

Here’s what you’ll experience as a part of this 7-day program.

• Conference Calls: Grand Master Nan Lu will have two conference calls: Sunday, January 13 and January 20. During each call, you will learn more about this season’s energetic messages and how to match Nature’s flow. Tips and guidelines to follow throughout this winter will also be given.
• Qigong Exercises: Qigong exercise moves energy and helps the body find its way to balance and then harmony. Grand Master Nan Lu will demonstrate specific Qigong movements that can be practiced well beyond these seven days for continued benefits.
• Massage Routine: Learn a simple routine to stimulate your energy foundation.
• Mid-week Call: Often questions come up as the program progresses. Instructors Irma and Elaine will be available to offer support. (January 16).
• Eating Plan: Foods that produce more internal heat/warmth are important to eat in the winter. These foods would include: beans (kidney, black, lentil), nuts/seeds, cooked vegetables (steamed/roasted/sautéed), vegetable soups, seaweed, root vegetables (carrots/turnips/onions/sweet potatoes), quality seafood (especially shellfish), and spices (garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper). They will provide a wide variety of easy soup recipes. Purchasing ready-made soup is fine, too. They’ll provide you with a grocery list of foods such as vegetables, greens, root vegetables, fruits, grains, and fish.
• Private Facebook Forum: Express your thoughts and share your feelings as you interact with our online community.

Join me in the 7-Day Soup Cleanse program. Rest and replenish. Get ready for spring! Register at https://www.tcmworld.org/programs/webinars/2019-winter-soup-cleanse.

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist with 30 years of health care experience. Her office is located at 249B York Street in Gettysburg. She can be reached at 717-752-5728.