There is no separation of the bodymindspirit and like yin and yang you cannot make reference to yin without including yang. For our mind shapes our emotions and our body generates or somatises these feelings which is part of the expression of our personality and the spirit of the unique beingness of the human pysche.
The Qi or life-force is presented as two complementary forces Yin and Yang. The dynamism of these polarities is the basis of all movement and change in the universe and human beings. Yang is the dynamic "male" force whereas Yin is the receptive "female" force. Each is mutually interdependent, interactive and interchangeable. Each of the vital organs anatomically and functionally are divided into Yin & Yang pairs. One cannot exist without the other and all phenomena including disease is a direct result of an imbalance between these complementary dynamic forces.
The five elements or phases are Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire.
Each represents a fundamental process and has various correspondences which are the seasons, climates, organs, tissues, fluids, sense organs, colours, sounds, odours, emotions, tastes, direction, and qualities.
These correspondences associated with each element and the principles that govern them are observed in nature and are conceptualised and understood in terms of relationships in the human body. This theory of correspondences is one of the conceptual basis underpinning the practice of Chinese Medicine.
For the human body is considered a microcosm of nature with processes, cycles and conditions observable in every human being.
The functions of the body are seen as transformative principles that exist within nature. So Spring is the Qi or energy of growth, Summer ripening, Late-Summer transition, Autumn harvest, Winter storage.
This model of human life is considered to be dynamic, constantly changing and shifting relationships of one functional system with another but always within the context of the whole system of bodymindspirit.
So the root cause of disease is understood as an imbalance of this natural cyclical flow and the goal of treatment is to redress the imbalances through the recognition of the patterns of disharmony and treatment with acupuncture and herbs which will rectify the bodymindspirit into an harmonic pattern but also by living harmoniously within the distinctive and differing Qi of each Season. It is these patterns of disharmony that Chinese Medicine recognises, rectifies and subsequently eradicates.
These dynamic, constantly changing and shifting relationships of one fundamental system with another but always within the context of the whole system of bodymindspirit
An example of one of these dynamic circular expressions that occurs in the five phases or elements is that the Liver affects the functioning of the Heart and the function of the Heart affects the expressions of the personality.
With regard to the correspondences for each of the five climates of every season, a person can exhibit a cold condition within the body that is analogous to an external climatic cold. Thus a person can exhibit an internal cold condition regardless of any exposure to external cold though exposure to adverse climatic conditions can occur and become a pathogenic stress to the body.
Just as climates are distincive for each season and element so are the emotions which are primal forces within the human psyche. We all experience bouts of anger, joy, sorrow, fear during our daily lives - these are natural and appropriate but in excess these emotions can generate imbalance. For example anger can cause energy to rise - a sudden explosiveness likened to the windy storms of Spring unpredictable and intense.
Living harmoniously within the quality of the Qi pertaining to each Season is important this will impact your health in the following season. So to enable you to live harmoniously within the Qi of each of the Seasons see my lifestyle tips for bodymindspirit