An Introduction to Chinese Medicine: Yin Yang

Sorry for the delay in posting lately.  With exams approaching this week I have been a bit preoccupied.  However, in light of recent comments asking me to explain the basics of Chinese medical theory and impending exams, it occurred to me that I could kill two birds with one stone by posting some of my study material.

Let's start at the very beginning: Yin Yang

There are 4 Guiding Principles to understanding Yin and Yang

1. Opposition 

2. Interdependence

3. Conterbalance/mutual consumption

4. Intertransformation 

1. Opposition 

Every phenomenon has two opposing aspects; Every Yin/Yang phenomenon possesses Yin and Yang aspects

Yin has the following characteristics:

Dark, Earth, lower, night, autumn, winter, cold, female, slow

Yang has the following characteristics:

Light, Heaven, upper, day, spring, summer, hot, male, fast

2. Interdependence

Yin exists by virtue of it's opposite, Yang, just as light exists by virtue of dark 

The Nei Jing (the Chinese Medicine Classic) states:

"Without Yin, Yang cannot arise; Without Yang, Yin cannot be born." Also, "Yin is in the inner and roots Yang, and Yang is in the outer and moves Yin."

3. Conterbalance/ Mutual Consumption 

Yang grows by consuming Yin and Yin grows by consuming Yang.  We consume and restore Yin (nourishment) and Yang (energy) daily.  Maintenance of balance of Yin and Yang establishes wellness.  Failure to maintain balance leads to preponderance of either Yin or Yang and excessive consumption of the other, and creates an environment for disease to ensue.   

There are 4 types of imbalances:

Yin Vacuity- not enough Yin 

Yang Vacuity- not enough Yang

Yin Repletion- too much Yin

Yang Repletion- too much Yang

4. Intertransformation

Yang aspects or patterns become Yin aspects or patterns and visa-versa.  

Ex. Summer (Yang) turns into Fall (Yin)

Ex. A chronic condition (Yin) can weaken immunity and leave body vulnerable to external attacks (Yang), such as viruses

Understanding a bit about Yin and Yang can be helpful in addressing your body's needs

•  Balancing rest and activity
• Knowing what to eat (cool foods in Yang seasons, warm foods in Yin seasons)
• Knowing how to treat minor imbalances (i.e. nourish yang with light exercise, rest, acupuncture, and warm foods when you are Yang deficient)

I challenge you to use this new knowledge to discover the potential for cultivating balance in your body, environment, and life.