I still remember the moment my grandmother said ‘Too much yang, not enough yin.’ I was seven, watching her balance herbs. She was talking about me. ‘You run too hot. You need cooling.’
It took me twenty years to understand what she meant.
What Yin and Yang Actually Mean
Yin and Yang are not opposites. They are complementary forces that exist within everything.
Yin: Cold, Night, Rest, Interior, Moisture
Yang: Heat, Day, Activity, Exterior, Dryness
Think of Yin as the battery and Yang as the usage. Neither is good or bad, they need to stay balanced.
Signs Your Yin Is Depleted
- Night sweats and insomnia
- Constant thirst
- Heat in palms and soles
- Anxiety at night
Signs Your Yang Is Weak
- Always feeling cold
- Low energy despite rest
- Slow metabolism
- Poor circulation
How to Balance Yin and Yang
1. Morning Yang, Evening Yin: Tackle challenging work late morning.
2. Seasonal Eating: Summer=Yin foods, Winter=Warming foods.
3. Breathing: Slow, deep breathing activates parasympathetic response.
Quick reference:
- Yin deficiency: Rest, cool water, leafy greens
- Yang deficiency: Light morning exercise, warming foods