A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul.
— Saadi
We’ve all heard the old adage that our body is a temple. But today, I want you to think of your body as a garden. There are all kinds of gardens. Is your body the splendid, meticulously kept haven of Versailles? Or is it more like an overgrown, rambling English cottage garden? In Traditional Medicine we never think of ourselves as apart from nature. We are just an extension of the natural universe that surrounds us. It is this concept which keeps us attuned to the pulse and energy of our world.
As you would tend your garden at home – you must also tend the garden that is your body. You wouldn’t plant seeds and then forget to water or fertilise them…what would be the point? So, too, you must nurture and care for your own body. By ebbing and flowing with the seasons rather than fighting them – you help keep balance. Balance is essential to health whether it be soil or your immune system.
Acupuncture can help you with this seasonal dance. By keeping your meridian system in check you maintain and nurture your delicate infrastructure. This isn’t an immediate fix…not a sprint but a marathon. Similarly, you don’t plant seeds one day and expect to harvest a crop of vegetables the next day. You must nurture nature and help it grow strong and vibrant.
The first step is to fertilise. Our bodies are not much different to plants and they need good nutrients and healthy food to thrive. This includes keeping a positive attitude because that is much like good soil. Without it…everything will wither. Next, you need water. We are made up of 2/3 water…which means there is a constant need to replenish our system with the clean, clear life-giving liquid. Avoid those sugary sodas and drink in the hydration of water. We also need the sun. Without the Vitamin D that big, yellow orb provides we wouldn’t last long. Vitamin D contributes to our immune system, bone growth and strong muscles. Next, cultivate the soil. By doing this, we release the oxygen which helps plants grow. By exercising, we oxygenate our muscular system and help it thrive. You can do any exercise you like…the point is simply to get up, stay up and move more. Finally, make sure to do your weeding. None of us enjoy this part of tending the garden but it is so necessary to keeping plants healthy. So, exercise, drink water, stay positive and eat healthy and your body won’t stagnate. No weeds anywhere!
By doing these simple things and incorporating acupuncture into your routine, you can stay healthy, happy and flowering through every season.