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Writer's pictureJahanara Monaf

What is Yang (warm energy)


In TCM which translates to: "Yang is like sky (heaven) and day (sun), when it is lost, life is broken/shortened and disease/ sickness arrive"


When Yang is sufficient through the body there is healthy flow of Qi (vital life force), healthy transformation of fluids and toxins are excreted sufficiently. For example, if Yang is sufficient, Qi moves normally in the abdomen to move toxins through the intestines allowing the body to digest adequately.


If Yang is low, that causes the Qi to decrease and there is less power to move and transform fluids, which is how dampness and phlegm are formed. This leads to toxin accumulation and stagnated blood. Over time, these problems manifest into physical symptoms: body pain, weight gain, thyroid problems, liver disease, stomach disorders, kidney disease, infertility, cancers, tumors, etc. Truly almost every disease is caused by Yang deficiency.


How is Yang depleted?

Going to bed late: continuously staying up past 11pm due to our cell phones, TV, internet is hazardous to our health. Our body runs on the circadian rhythm, which is the internal system that regulates Qi throughout the body in 2 hour organ and meridian specific intervals. 


Starting at 11pm the body wants to sleep and regenerate. It is the initial cleansing of all tissues. Then at 1am - 3am the liver is in motion, for deep rest, detoxification and processing wastes and emotions. Your body needs to be sleeping for optimal processing. The amount of hours you sleep aren't created equal, it is the time you sleep that matters most. For people below 25 years of age, it's possible you might not see side effects from going to bed late now, but it will catch up with you later in life.


Consuming cold foods and drinks: this reduces Yang, especially specific for the spleen and stomach Yang. We should try to eat and drink fresh, warm, hot foods all year long, even in summer. In the summer time, our body's yang is at its peak, mirroring the high temperature of the summer season, so when we go to the far extreme of cold food and drinks, we aren't aligning with nature. When we consume cold foods and drinks, there is not enough Yang to warm up our digestion, more Qi is used, and the remaining cold is retained within the body. This creates dampness which blocks the Yang from circulating properly. Furthermore, excess sweets and spicy food creates dampness as well. Symptoms include: excess phlegm, excess weight, IBS, stomach distension, poor circulation, painful periods, PMS, skin issues, diarrhoea.


Air conditioning: the over use of AC and fans in the summer while our pores are hot and open retains the cold air in our bodies. Once again, we are not mirroring nature with severely cold AC blasting, we should be a bit warm just like the weather.


Over exercise: exercise can increase Yang when done properly, but in our modern lifestyle I see many people working all day then going to a strenuous exercise where they sweat heavily. This depletes Yang. You can exercise for a short while, or on the weekends. Something moderate like a walk in the park is always best. Sometimes, less is more.


Excess sexual activity: in relation to TV, internet, magazines, etc actually consumes Yang as well as clinging to sensual pleasure, even the desire for material pleasures and satisfactions consumes Yang.


Modern day life: a busy schedule, stressful work environment, pressure, sadness, worrying, and negative emotions consume our Yang. Positivity is a Yang emotion and needs that feeling in the body and in the cells to be retained.


Over use of medication: chronic diseases that require pain killers and antibiotics greatly weakens Yang.


Now that you know how important YANG is and please do not deplete it.

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