Traditional Oriental Medicine and the Chinese New Year of the Wooden Dragon 2024

On the threshold of the Chinese New Year of the Wooden Dragon, which begins on February 10, 2024, we explore the practice of rituals, recognized for their auspicious nature. However, beyond traditional beliefs, we delve into the intricate connection between these rites and the power of the subconscious.

How do these symbolic acts influence our mind and well-being?

This blog will delve into understanding how rituals, when performed with awareness and connection, can resonate with our subconscious, enhancing benefits beyond the superficial. Likewise, we will explore recommendations to promote harmony and balance in health, providing valuable perspectives to start the new year with serenity and well-being.

Below are some of the rituals to welcome the year of the Dragon:

1. Cleansing and Purification:

   – Perform a deep clean in your home, focusing on getting rid of unnecessary objects and stagnant energy.

   – Use elements such as incense or herbs such as sage to purify spaces.

   – Open windows and doors to allow fresh energy to flow.

2. Significant Decoration:

   – Adorn your home with images, statues or decorative elements that represent the dragon.

   – Place red objects, considered auspicious in Chinese culture, to attract good fortune.

   – Place red objects, considered auspicious in Chinese culture, to attract good fortune.

3. Meditation and Reflection:

   – Dedicate time daily to meditation to calm your mind and focus on your goals.

   – Use creative visualizations that involve the powerful and positive energy of the dragon.

   – Reflect on your goals and aspirations, setting clear intentions for the year.

4. Conscious Eating:

   – Follow principles of the five element diet, incorporating foods that balance flavors (sweet, bitter, sour, spicy and salty).

   – Eat red and green foods, colors associated with the dragon in Chinese culture.

   – Avoid excess processed foods and opt for fresh and nutritious ingredients.

5. Body Practices:

   – Integrate gentle exercises such as tai chi to improve the circulation of vital energy (qi) in the body.

   – Consider the practice of qi gong, which combines movement, breathing and meditation to balance energy.

   – Perform stretching and strengthening exercises to maintain physical and mental health.

Learn more about Tai Chi in this blog

Why might you do these Rituals?

These rituals are based on the idea of ​​balancing energy and attracting positive influences during the Year of the Dragon. Although common practices, specific interpretation may vary depending on individual traditions and beliefs.

Rituals in the Chinese New Year wooden dragon can have a significant connection with the subconscious through several psychological mechanisms:

1. Symbolism: Elements used in rituals, such as images of dragons, specific colors or symbolic gestures, can have deep meaning on the subconscious level. These symbols can activate deep-rooted associations and emotions in the mind.

2. Repetition and Routine:The repetition of rituals creates a routine that the subconscious recognizes and associates with certain emotional states or intentions. This can influence the way you perceive and respond to everyday situations.

3. Focus and Mindfulness:By consciously participating in rituals, you immerse yourself in the present, which can calm the mind and reduce anxiety. This mindfulness can have positive effects on the subconscious, influencing patterns of thought and behavior.

4. Setting Intentions:By reflecting on goals and aspirations during rituals, you are setting conscious intentions that can permeate the subconscious. This can influence your decision making and the direction of your efforts over time.

5. Emotional Conditions:Rituals are often accompanied by specific emotions and moods. These emotional conditions can be associated with ritual practices and, over time, influence how you feel and perceive certain situations.

Rituals act as bridges between the conscious and subconscious, using symbols, repetition and focus to impact the mind in ways that can influence perception, emotions and behavior at a deeper level.

Considering the Year of the Dragon from the perspective of Eastern Medicine and health, here are some general recommendations:

1. Balance in Nutrition:

   – Prioritizes a balanced diet according to the theory of the five elements, incorporating a variety of foods and colors.

   – Eat fresh and seasonal foods, giving preference to those that strengthen your vital energy.

2. Hydration and Tea:

   – Stay well hydrated with warm water or herbal teas that align with your specific health needs.

   – You can incorporate teas that are appreciated in Chinese medicine, such as green tea or jasmine tea, known for their beneficial properties.

3. Moderate and Sustainable Exercise:

   – Practice exercises such as tai chi or qi gong, which not only benefit physical health, but also harmonize energy.

   – Adjust your exercise routine according to your physical condition and individual needs.

4. Rest and Sleep:

   – Prioritize a good sleep pattern, making sure you get enough rest each night.

   – Create an environment conducive to sleep, avoiding stimulants before bed and maintaining a relaxing routine.

5. Stress Management:

   – Incorporates practices such as meditation and conscious breathing to reduce stress and maintain emotional balance.

   – Identify activities that relax you and enjoy moments of rest during the day.

6. Professional Consultations:

   – Consider consulting with an Oriental Medicine professional to receive personalized guidance.

Remember that these recommendations are general and it is important to adapt them to your individual needs and circumstances. It is always advisable to consult with health professionals before making significant changes to your lifestyle.

Schedule your Oriental Medicine appointment with Sheng Health

7. Respiratory Practices:

   – Spend time consciously breathing, focusing on deep, slow breaths to calm the mind and energize the body.

   – Explore specific breathing techniques such as abdominal breathing or diaphragmatic breathing.

8. Meditation:

   – Integrate regular meditation into your daily routine to calm the mind and allow energy to flow unhindered.

   – Practice mindfulness to be present in the moment and reduce stress.

9. Set Positive Intentions:

   – Reflect on your goals and aspirations, setting positive intentions for the year.

   – Visualize your goals in detail and maintain a positive attitude toward your ability to achieve them.

Remember that these practices seek to harmonize Qi in a holistic way. Coherence and consistency in these activities can help maintain a balanced flow of life energy throughout the Year of the Dragon.

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16.Perception of Traditional Oriental Medicine by Sheng Health student.

In this blog I talk about the different perceptions that some people have about Traditional Oriental Medicine.

What is Traditional Oriental Medicine?

Traditional Eastern Medicine is a type of medicine that is based on the idea that there is an energy called QI.

QI energy flows through pathways that are immersed in the human body, these pathways are recognized as meridians; In this medicine, the obstruction or imbalance of the flow that the QI energy should normally carry through these meridians produces what is the disease.

In China, doctors have practiced Traditional Oriental Medicine for thousands of years and this type of Medicine is gaining more and more strength in various countries around the world. Traditional Oriental Medicine has been developing and operating for more than 4,000 years.

According to this medicine, the causes of QI imbalance have to do with:

• External forces: such as wind, cold or heat.
• Internal forces: such as the emotions of joy, anger or fear.
• Lifestyle factors: such as diet, lack of sleep or excess alcohol.

Taking into account the above, which is a brief idea of ​​what makes up the bases of Traditional Oriental Medicine, gives way to the perception that many people have about this Medicine.

Learn more about Traditional Oriental Medicine in this blog: 5 elements and emotional regulation

Perception of Oriental Medicine as something esoteric

Commonly, a large part of Western society has a somewhat esoteric perception about the functioning and work applied in Traditional Oriental Medicine; One of the reasons why this can happen is because human beings are still alien to their spiritual dimension, that is, they have not connected with themselves, they do not recognize themselves, therefore, they are still involved and governed. by the system and social unrest, which is everything that limits and slows down our growth and often makes us believe that what is considered real at a social level, that is, everything that science can explain is the only thing that exists and what they cannot perceive and/or explain is not It is, this is why we must wake up and look for ways that truly strengthen our being.

When you embark on the path towards knowledge of this Medicine and better yet, you have that contact with the various therapies that it offers us, the perception of oneself and the outside world expands and changes, because that union is achieved. with that intangible something that connects with the being, therefore, allows you to experience and feel well-being and healing.

The therapies used in Traditional Oriental Medicine not only focus on healing, but also on seeking the balance between the physical, the internal and the spiritual, therefore, Traditional Oriental Medicine is a comprehensive medicine for the being. Many people find themselves in dissonance with these therapies and this culture for the reason mentioned above, since they allow themselves to overlook that human beings are much more than flesh and blood, that we are magical beings with unimaginable but true virtues and talents, that we possess an infinite power of creation that we must preserve, cultivate and seek the tools to strengthen and intensify it.

Perception of Oriental Medicine as Alternative Medicine

Traditional Oriental Medicine, in addition to being perceived in an esoteric way by some people, is also perceived by other types of people as an alternative medicine that is true and that connects and seeks the integrity of the being, but these people are not usually decisive in the moment of having contact with this medicine, that is, they are not totally willing to receive any treatment related to Traditional Oriental Medicine, in accordance with the above, these people have a basis of what the medicine is and means, however, they are partly inhibited to seek their freedom and internal balance, since they are not completely available.

Perception of Oriental Medicine in unfamiliar people

On the other hand, there are many people who do not have the knowledge about this Medicine and do not perceive it in any way, with all that, they manage to conceive it internally and intangibly, well, they recognize it and feel that it exists and is real, this consists of , our being connects with everything that vibrates with the spiritual dimension, however, these people may never take the step to have that contact with the various treatments that this medicine provides because it is a world that turns out to be for them “unknown” and not only "a stranger"; This path requires changes in everything that has been normally done throughout life, which is why such people decide to continue with what they already know rather than launching themselves and surrendering to the spiritual and integral path that Traditional Oriental Medicine offers us.

Perception of Oriental Medicine from Connoisseurs

Finally, we find in society those people who have either a basic or broad perception about the work done in Traditional Oriental Medicine and observe it as a true and applied medicine, which they know is related to energy and comprehensive well-being of the being, which works with each of the internal organs of the human body and with emotions. They are people who seem truly amazed and confident by each of the traditional and healing techniques of this medicine.

This occurs because something internal makes them understand that they are something more than matter and that they must seek balance and well-being, mental, spiritual and physical. It is these people who decide to listen to themselves, therefore, undertake the search for tools and find the path of that which manages to connect with the spiritual dimension of themselves, and in a comprehensive way, that is where Traditional Oriental Medicine it becomes part of each of their lives; because when you have that first encounter it is as if you found what the soul had sought for so long, which is, the balance and internal well-being of the being.

Having knowledge about Traditional Oriental Medicine is nice, even so, even more beautiful is having this unique connection with this Medicine.

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