The Importance of Breathwork in the Fall
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), fall is the time of year when the Qi is abundant in the Lungs and Large Intestine. It’s a time when we are clearing the path and preparing our bodies for storing and going inward in the winter months.
in traditional chinese medicine
The Lung is the yin organ and its yang organ relationship is with the Large Intestine.
There’s no better time than now to clear the Large Intestine through detoxification diets and simplifying our eating habits to allow our gut to heal and rest. An often overlooked aspect to healing the gut is the connection to the Lungs. In TCM, the Lung is the yin organ and its yang organ relationship is with the Large Intestine. Well, you might ask, what do these organs have to do with each other?
One aspect can be explained through the gut-brain axis. The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that connects your brain (cerebellum and brainstem) to your heart and into your abdomen to most of your major organs including your intestines. Your vagus nerve is stimulated when your body’s autonomic nervous system shifts away from “fight or flight” sympathetic to “rest and digest” parasympathetic. So only in parasympathetic is your body getting stimulation to your gut.
If you’re suffering with digestive issues, healing through identifying the root cause of gut imbalance is only a component of the process. What carries you further into healing is stimulating your digestion through your vagus nerve. Deep breathing (aha!…Lungs) is one of the main ways you can stimulated your vagus nerve. Check in with yourself and notice how you breathe throughout the day. Most of us don’t know truly how to breathe!
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In good health,
Try this breathing exercise to help to reduce anxiety:
Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for a second and then exhale through pursed lips for 10 seconds like you’re breathing through a tube or a straw.
One of my favorite tools to remind me to breathe is my Komuso necklace. Many of you may have seen it around my neck at Elevate. It’s not only a beautiful piece of jewelry but it’s designed to help mimic this breath work taught by the Komuso monks. So instead of putting that cigarette to your lips, consider using the Komuso instead.
Not sure where to start when it comes to Breathwork?
Try Lee Holden’s new online Breathwork Course
Unfortunately we had to postpone Lee’s live event this year due to the Caldor Fire. Here’s a chance to learn more about his teachings and to join in on a breathwork class.
Interested in even more breathing tips?
If you haven’t already, please also check out my TEDx from 2 years ago where I discuss taking breaks to breathe throughout the day as a form of self-care.