SPRING NEWSLETTER Hooray for spring! I am ecstatic the winter is ebbing and the sunshine is flowing. This is such a great time of year for countless reasons. Walking in the park is great this time of year because you can witness new life coming out of the earth daily. Just as our bodies are regulated and governed by Qi, nature is regulated by Qi too. The force which pushes the flowers from bulbs and buds from trees is the very same Qi as that which pumps the heart and blood through the vessels. As we watch the earth pushing life to the surface of the soil and the branches on the trees, the same process is happening with in our bodies. Qi burrows deep into the body’s organs and tissues during the winter in order to store and conserve for the cold months. When the weather warms and the days get longer, energy begins to rise up.     Spring is the season associated with the Liver. In Chinese Medicine the function of the liver is to regulate the flow of Qi throughout the body, store blood, and regulate the tendons and ligaments. The easiest way to support a healthy liver is to get outside and put those tissues to use. Also, now is a great time to incorporate stretching exercises or yoga into a daily routine. Keeping your tendons and ligaments strong yet supple will prevent damage to joints. If you haven’t exercised much in the past few months, make sure to take it slowly. There is no need to jog 5 miles if you haven’t been in a   while, you may injure yourself and will have to wait until you recover.     Now is a great time to get a “tune-up” with an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture will assist the body’s natural changes it undergoes during the seasonal shift. This is also a great time to hit the farmer’s markets around the city. All sorts of fresh produce are coming in and the best foods to eat are those straight from the farm. Think peas, asparagus, ramps, and watercress. Eat seasonally for healthy digestion and longevity. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter via email, please contact info@kristinlac.com