Wei Qi provides an “immune system-like” barrier that protects the body from harmful pathogenic factors that can cause illness and disease. When we are exposed to bad air, germs, and viruses, our first line of defense, according to Chinese medicine is our Wei Qi barrier.

Over time, Wei Qi can become weakened and unbalanced due to many factors: improper diet, emotional stress, grief, sadness, inherited constitution, smoking, and pollution.  When our Wei Qi is down, we become prone to allergies, asthma, colds and even skin problems.  Your health and the strength of your immune system depend upon the quality, quantity and balance of Wei Qi that flows within your meridian channels.

Points Towards Health
Rubbing acupuncture points with your finger for 30 – 60 seconds can stimulate and promote the circulation of Qi within your own body.

Here are two common acupuncture points to support your health in winter. These points are located on both feet.

Kidney 6 – This point is directly below the inside anklebone. It is useful for sore throat, calming the mind, insomnia, frequent urination, irregular menstruation, cramps of feet and hands.

Kidney 7 – This point is located about two inches above the inside ankle bone and on the border of the Achilles tendon. This is a useful point for edema, night sweating, diarrhea, dry mouth, low back pain.

In China, there are many New Year’s traditions during the 15-day Spring Festival. Many people clean their homes to sweep away the past year and usher in the next. Oftentimes family members travel home for a visit.  Children receive red envelopes, called hóngbāo in Mandarin, filled with money from their relatives. People hang red lanterns outside their homes to bring happiness and good luck.  On Chinese New Year’s Eve families gather for a huge meal and enjoy “lucky” foods together.  And, of course, there are fireworks.

The Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal; 2015 is the Year of the Goat.  Astrologers say that people born in the Year of the Goat are gentle mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic with a strong sense of kindheartedness.

They are creative, have perseverance and acquire professional skills very well. They are strong on the inside and with a sense of resilience and defensive instincts.
They are often quiet and reserved and prefer to be in groups rather than being the center of attention. They enjoy spending times in their own thoughts.

Recommit to Your New Year’s Resolutions
The Chinese do not traditionally make New Year’s Resolutions like we do in the west, however this is a good time to reflect on the goals you set a month ago. Are you keeping your New Year’s resolutions?

If you’re having trouble, maybe it’s time to take a lesson from the Goats.  Take a quiet moment and reflect on what is stopping you.  Do you need to get serious?  Do you need additional support?  Are your goals genuine—do you want to do them or do you think you should do them?  Why haven’t you kept your New Year’s Resolutions?

If your resolutions include improving your health in 2015, I can help you with that. Give me a call and we can arrange an appointment for anything from a tune-up to weight control to mood balancing.

If you need to make a deeper commitment to your resolutions, take a moment and think about what you need to do to keep them.  Write down 3 easy action steps.
…and do them.  Now.

Use the Chinese lunar New Year as a do-over.  Commit to your New Year’s resolutions.

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái.  Happy New Year!