Lisa Porad's Seasonal Newsletter

Winter Newsletter from Lisa Porad, M.S., L.Ac

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Hello, and Happy Holidays!

Welcome to Winter! I hope you enjoy my newsletter. The winter solstice is always an exciting day for me. The darkest day gives way to a little more sunlight each day bringing anticipation, hope, and excitement for the spring and summer. I hope you have/had a wonderful holiday season and that 2014 is full of health and happiness. Happy New Year!

Warmly,

Lisa
ps. I would appreciate any feedback. lisa@lisaporad.com

Classical Acupuncture concentrates on the connection between ourselves and the rhythm of nature's seasons.

Each season corresponds to a particular element: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. These elements influence, nurture and sustain us. We have all the elements within us but one that is our causative factor (CF). Our causative factor is the lens through which we view life.

Classical Chinese medicine teaches that physical, mental and spiritual health is dependent on the balance of these elements.

Imbalance of the elements is expressed through symptoms such as pain, illness, disease, addiction and emotional suffering.

I practice acupuncture to help heal the body, mind, and spirit by restoring the natural harmony of the elements.

We join spokes together in a wheel,

but it is the center hole

that makes the wagon move.

We shape clay into a pot,

but it is the emptiness inside

that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,

but it is the inner space

that makes it livable.

We work with being, but no-being is what we use.

-Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Winter is the time of the Water element. The time of year when we naturally slow down, stay inside, quiet down and sleep more. A time to be still and build our reserves. It is the season to learn to trust in the unknown and have faith. When we practice these virtues we gain strength, wisdom, and courage. When we don't, fear often arises which can drain our energy and block our ability to access our personal power.

Charles A. Moss, MD exemplifies the Water element eloquently in his book "Power of the Five Elements":

"The Sage, The Water Element archetype, represents the power of the Water energy to transform fear and doubt to wisdom and trust and to promote acceptance of the unknown and the unknowable as part of life." He also writes, "The Sage has the patience and wisdom to know when to pull back and conserve, achieve stillness and quiet, as well as the knowledge to draw from reserves without draining them. The Sage possess perseverance, the ability to overcome obstacles, an undefeatable will, enormous personal power and the wisdom to use these qualities."

And don't think the garden
loses it ecstasy in winter.
It's quiet, but the roots
are down there riotous.
-Rumi

You and Water:

I encourage you to ask these questions of yourself
and invite you to come in and discuss them with me.

-How do you feel in the winter?

-What scares you? How do you feel about the dark?

-What are your ambitions?

-Has fear stopped you from doing something you want to do?
If so, does that happen often?

-When have you felt nervous? Excited? Anxious?

-Do you appreciate quiet & or being still?

Contact me and we can get to work on these questions...

Let's set up an appointment today! Click to email me or call 206.296.2166

SEASONAL RECIPE:

Mello White Miso Soup

from the Sacred Kitchen by Robin Robertson and Jon Robertson

5 cups water
3 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup chopped scallion
1/4 cup finely shredded carrot
1 tablespoon tamari sauce
1/4 cup white miso paste

Bring the water to a boil in a medium pot. Add the mushrooms, scallions, carrot and tamari. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables soften. Reduce heat to low. Pour about 1/4 cup of the hot soup mixture into a small bowl and add the miso paste, blending well. Stir the blended miso mixture back into the soup and simmer for 2 minutes, being careful not to boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

* You can also add tofu cubes, rice whatever you like to make the soup more hearty if you want.

Click here for a link to the article "Lessons from Kayaking" by Tara Brach a great article using the mental skills that come with kayaking to work with and overcome fear.

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