The Earth element in Zen Shiatsu, by Violan Burges, Shiatsu Practitioner

The Earth element manifests at the end of every season. Some sources mention that it manifests during the last 10 days of every season, but most commonly is identified at the end of the summer. Earth represents nourishment, a beginning and an end, a seed and fruit. Stomach and Spleen are the most active organs during this period manifesting their capacity for transformation and nourishing. In a physical way it refers to food and their assimilation processes, and distribution of the food Ki into the blood.

Earth manifests through Stomach and Spleen. In a psychological way Stomach represents our hungers and needs in a broad aspect, while the Spleen referes to our capacity to contain, digest and analyze. When in balance Spleen energy relates to the capacity for rational thinking and enjoying life. Eating disorders, being overweight, and over consumption of information that doesn’t get assimilated, may indicate Spleen imbalance.

What happens when any of these organs are weak, or in disharmony?

We may see loose stools with undigested food, bloating, feeling tired after eating, lack of energy, lack of appetite, cravings for sweets, or constant desire for snacking. Emotionally, we may feel in constant hunger but never satisfied, gulping information more than we can assimilate. All these are your body sending signals.

Shorter days affect our rhythm, and the return to school, or dive into professional life after a lighter summer. The weather slowly cools down, we spend more time inside, reduce our physical activity, and spend more hours working or studying. All of them tire Spleen. Having a Stomach and Spleen in harmony allow us to absorb food better, and fill up our reserves with vitamins for the fall and winter seasons, to store the building blocks that our immune system needs to function optimally.

Now is peak time for caring for your Stomach and Spleen with Shiatsu, especially if you already have a chronic condition like being overweight, digestive issues, lack of energy, or over-thinking-worrying.

Zen Shiatsu offers a non-invasive approach to re-balance your Stomach and Spleen through stretching, palm compression, and finger pressure.

You can stretch your Stomach and Spleen at home going into the position from the picture (below). Breathing deeply and holding the position for a few breathing cycles.