The Winter season is aligned with the Kidney/Bladder system, governed by the Water element. Cold in nature and downward moving, the Kidney Water system embodies Yin, storing the body’s fluids. As it regulates and stores the Water, the Kidneys moisten the body.
As a Yin element, the movement of Water is inward, it will always find the lowest point and come to rest. The Bladder is a Yang organ, perceived to be a reservoir where the fluids of the body collect. The function of the Bladder is to receive and excrete urine, produced by the Kidneys.
Lifestyle Practices for Winter
During Winter, it’s important that we release the expectation to do more than we have capacity for. As a time for rest, hibernation, and the rebuilding of energy and resources, we want our practices to reflect these intentions. That is exactly why this list is simple - allow the magic of rest, the ritual of meditation and the power of the breath to restore you.
- Meditation
- Gentle Movement - slow, long nature walks
- Yoga Nidra
- Kidney Yin Yoga sequences
- Journalling
- Prioritise rest
- Keep your Kidneys covered
- Wear socks and beanies
- Warm the body with breath work
- Get in the sun (if you can)
Tune into our podcast to dive a little deeper
Episode 121 - Winter, The Water Element and Rest with Mason and Tahnee Taylor
Episode 172 - Skip Resting in Winter At Your Peril with Mason & Tahnee
If you want to learn more about Winter and the Kidney Water Element through the Taoist lens, download our free PDF here
