Yang Sheng

Wow... I just got done with a really intense (acupuncture) treatment. I had been seeing the same intern for a month or so but decided to switch it up today with one of the ones that is known as "the best" around here at PCOM (Barry) I can actually still feel the points where he needed. My treatment was so different than any of the treatments I received in the past, and I feel like he taught me as much as he could (seeing as I am just now learning the basics). Getting my weekly treatments always reminds me of why I am studying so much, why I may stay in on a Friday night, etc. It will all pay off in the end, and I can't wait to understand it all and share my knowledge with others.

I titled this blog entry "yang sheng" which is the nourishing life principle. Essentially it means understanding and knowing the constitution of your body and living by its constitution or makeup. (It is a way of preventative medicine.) For example, some people have a hard time digesting raw foods, so interns instruct them to cook their foods, eating them warm. Some people need more sleep then others and so on. That being said... Today was not the only day I've been told to eat meat. The issue that I'm working on now is blood stagnation, which goes hand-in-hand with qi stagnation. (My energy has also been really low lately.) Barry even pointed out spots in which the stasis presents itself in my body. Even though I have been eating a lot of tofu, beans, leafy greens, cherries and so on... It seems that I do not have enough iron in my body. While I made the decision not to eat meat for a reason, I am beginning to think my body needs a little. This medicine is so interesting, and I wish everyone would at least give it a try. I bet you will lean a lot about yourself as well as your body's needs.

All in all, life is good. I can feel the intensity of school picking up, which brings me back to my "go, go, go" schedule, but I am happy. I find that I am taking better care of myself and my needs. Last Sunday was the perfect mix of work and play for me: yoga, studying over brunch, studying with my classmates, a Wrigley rooftop date with Carryn and Kay, gym, studying/dinner, a walk with Amber (who moved less than a mile away) and a little studying before bed. My week was a little less balanced: classes, midterms, work and studying. I can't believe it's already Friday. Besides babysitting on Saturday... No set plans for the weekend. Let's see what happens with the weather.