Dear one,

As we feel the touch of the late summer sun, we find ourselves immersed in the season of Earth in Chinese medicine's Five Element theory. Under this sun, the fruits come to ripen, and so do the opportunities for us to savor the sweetness of life's experiences and the wisdom they impart. This wondrous time invites us to digest the journey we've traversed, assimilating the challenges we've encountered and relishing the growth that came with them.

Life, like the seasons, offers a beautiful dance of cycles. We move through various experiences, some delightful, others arduous. Yet, as we navigate these moments, we are offered the gift of learning and transformation. The trials we overcome are not simply obstacles; they are stepping stones on the path to our personal evolution.

As a fruit matures, it undergoes a transformative process. The ripened fruit carries the essence of its journey within, just as we too hold the wisdom of our experiences inside. Once we've weathered the storm, we have a chance to savor the juiciness of the lesson, embracing the growth it has brought. It's the moment we can voice, "The hard parts are over now" and "I have grown from it."

In Late Summer's embrace, we receive the message that we are resilient beings, capable of turning our challenges into opportunities for growth. We come to understand that these experiences are not meant to break us; they are here to shape us into wiser, more compassionate versions of ourselves.

Let us celebrate this season by taking time to savor the sweetness of our breakthroughs and recognize the strength we've gained through life's trials, allowing it all to nourish our souls.

• Consider journaling about what you've been through since last summer, focusing your entries on the wisdom they revealed in you.
• Immerse yourself in the pleasure of nature walks, allowing the serenity of the surroundings to be a reminder of your own growth and resilience.
• Take in the flavors of life by trying out new recipes or indulging in comforting meals, mindfully enjoying each bite as a symbol of digesting the richness of your experiences.

On the topic of digestion, join me this month for the Acupressure for Self-Care Workshop, where we'll explore simple yet effective techniques to improve digestion, ease constipation, soothe diarrhea, and alleviate discomfort from hemorrhoids. Secure your spot today to explore the profound wisdom of your body and nurture your well-being from within.

As always, I am here to support you on your journey of personal growth and healing. If you'd like to book a one-on-one session or have any questions, feel free to reach out.

May we continue to savor life's sweetness and embrace the nourishment it brings.

Shira Oz-Sinai
Acupressure, Family Constellations, Nervous System Regulation, and Shamanic Healing
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P.S. The late summer sun and changing temps are already hinting at autumn. Mark your calendars or sign up now for the upcoming Autumn Meditative Card Night on Saturday, September 23, at 10 am ET via Zoom. Welcome the seasonal transition through reflection, meditation, and oracle card readings to nourish your soul. Save your spot here.

Whenever I spot swallows gracefully soaring through the skies, I feel the unmistakable arrival of summer in Maryland. According to legend, a brave Barn Swallow daringly stole fire from the sun to bring to earth. This act of audacity incurred the wrath of a god who hurled a firebrand at it, singeing its tail feathers and giving it its distinctive forked tail. Between the legend, the joyful and amicable spirit of these winged beings, and their meditative presence, swallows reveal profound insights that empower us to harness the abundant fire energy of this season.

Swallows exhibit mesmerizing aerial acrobatics. With effortless fluidity, they seem to dance in the air, engaging in a magnificent display of playfulness and freedom. Their skillful circling invites us to discover our own distinctive paths to joy, even amidst life's challenges. We may dance our own little circle, cherish laughter, or savor life's simple pleasures. By embracing joy, we nourish our hearts, uplift our spirits, and create a harmonious balance within ourselves and the world around us.

Listening to the sweet chatter of swallows, we witness their innate ability to connect and communicate, serving as a gentle reminder of our own capacity for authentic dialogue. As summer envelops us, we are inspired to engage in conversations that foster understanding, empathy, and harmony. Through dialogues with parts of ourselves, nature, or others, guided by our wise and discerning hearts, our connections grow secure, nurturing a profound sense of love and belonging.
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Swallows often pause on eaves and wires, observing the world around them. In their stillness, it's as if they listen to the whispers of their strong hearts and embrace the fullness of life. Just as swallows find tranquility amidst the bustling activity, we too can uncover moments of peace amid the vibrancy of the season and the busyness of our lives. It is in these moments that we reflect on our own journey, nourish our souls, and open ourselves to growth, expansion, and new possibilities.
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This month, I want to continue to shine a light on the Wood element in Five-Element Chinese Medicine - this time focusing on its ability to support clear and healthy boundaries.

The Wood element corresponds to the liver and gallbladder meridians in our body. Its deficiency can lead to indecisiveness or lack of direction, while excess Wood energy can cause frustration or rigidity. When balanced, the Wood element helps establish clear boundaries, enabling us to differentiate between what’s ours and what’s others. This clarity allows us to harness our life force energy and fulfill our potential.

Imagine a tree growing in a forest, sending its roots deep into the ground and stretching its branches towards the sky. It doesn't compare itself to others or try to be something it's not. Instead, it simply focuses on being the best version of itself it can be, and in doing so, it becomes a vital part of the forest ecosystem. Similarly, when we cultivate our Wood energy, we become more attuned to our unique gifts and strengths, showing up authentically and contributing to the greater good.

I recently worked with a client, let's call her Emily, who struggled with people-pleasing and saying yes to things she didn't actually want to do. As she worked with me to cultivate her Wood energy, Emily gained insight into her needs and desires. As a result, she confidently declined a work project that would have disrupted her self-care routine, instead prioritizing time to nurture important friendships.

This shift helped Emily reaffirm healthy boundaries and move forward with a greater sense of purpose and joy. By cultivating your Wood energy, you too can experience greater clarity and focus in your life. 
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As we move from darkness to light, from winter to spring, there are often no words. They haven't formed yet. There's just pure sensation. Raw energy. Unnamed. Gray. 

It can be uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable. Much is unknown. 

The winds pick up and shake loose what isn't pinned down. Debris of the old. All that isn't grounded in the here and now is swept away.

Who will I be if I'm not what I was? The mind attempts to regain control, to hold steady in a storm of change. But if we stiffen against the winds, we will likely break. 

The Wise Heart offers a gentle "Yes!" to this question. Yes to discovery. To a new adventure. To growing. To branching out. To life!

If we soften, relax into what is, we may sway side to side but remain standing. Then new blossoms will burst forth, and our world will fill up with bright colors once again. ​

It's February. Between Valentine's Day and National Heart Awareness Month, it's a good opportunity to give attention to our hearts and relationships. And, since it's still winter, from a Chinese medicine perspective the bladder and kidney energies are currently amplified. Kidney energy in particular is important for our heart health.

The kidney energy channel travels through the genitals then up through the torso and both sides of the energetic heart center (middle of the chest). While physically the kidneys clean toxins and waste from the blood and excess fluid from the body, energetically they store our life essence and have a lot to do with feeling safe enough to connect intimately, enjoy quiet togetherness, and playfully engage with others and life itself. 

Have you ever snapped at a loved one when what you really wanted was to feel close, seen, connected? While shame and regret may show up afterward, in the moment it can feel almost impossible not to snap or yell. That's because when we feel like we're not being heard or respected or that something is amiss in a romantic or other relationship, our body's security system turns on - heavily drawing on kidney energy. 

When the sympathetic nervous system response is engaged, our heartbeat increases, blood pressure rises, breathing is short and shallow, stomach knots, and our large muscles are flooded with the energy to take action (fight or flee). This can feel like the jitters, anxiety, nervousness, a flush of anger or great energy, or being seconds away from imploding/exploding. 

Certainly, this is all very taxing for the heart (and kidneys), especially when it occurs often. If you're starting to get in touch with these sensations as you're reading these lines, hum. Yes, hum! Hum a little tune or just the sound h-u-m. We're all biologically wired to connect and resolve any conflict within connection. Humming is one of the quickest ways to mechanically shift our nervous system towards a ventral vagal state (our calm and cordial state), return to connection, and repair. ​

There can be so much pressure on us to make the first few minutes, hours, and days of a new year resemble the kind of life we'd like year-round.

If we get into an argument on January 1st, get sick right after New Year's, or experience something difficult at the start of a new calendar year, it may strike us as a bad omen or like we've lost our chance at a fresh start.

Under all this pressure, we often forget that every moment is a fresh start. There's no ball dropping watch party, but it's available to us all the time.

The mind will surely tell us how 2023 is all wrecked and how our dreams are now futile. But if we find a way to treat ourselves kindly, no matter the situation, perhaps we can set the tone for a year of kindness ahead.

Now that's a year I'd like to have. How about you? ​