We are passing through the fall season and preparing for winter. One must keep in mind that winter is the most Yin time of the year and we must practice our qigong accordingly.

The emphasis should be more on meditation and slower exercises to conserve our energy. It is a time for introspection. There are a great many styles and types of meditations that one can use. The Inner Smile meditation, Dantian mediation, Balancing the Yin and Yang Meditation and Standing Meditation to help build the energy in the body. You can find so many and there are many resources available to you.

Eat accordingly as well. Foods that are harmonious with winter are: black beans, black mushrooms, blackberries, black sesame seeds, black soybeans, blueberries, cabbages, celery, chard, cranberries, ginger, kale, kidney beans, kohlrabi, longon, miso, ocean pearch, parsley, pine nuts, prunes, raspberries, rutabaga, seaweed, shrimp, soy sauce, string beans, turnips, walnuts.

Congee is a good winter meal and easy to digest. It is basically a rice porridge and it is easy to digest and tonifies the blood and qi; it also harmonizes the digestive process. Here is a basic recipe that you can use:

1 cup of rice

5-10 cups of water (depending on how thick you want it)

Cook 4-6 hours on a low flame.

When finished you can season it with salt, miso or honey

(You can also add some fish, pork, chicken and some green onions)

Enjoy!