Yin and Yang - the foundation of balance

As I begin sharing more about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) here, it feels right to start at the very beginning - with Yin and Yang. These two opposing yet complementary forces are the foundation of everything in nature, and the guiding principle behind how TCM understands health, balance, and wellbeing. In TCM, Yin and Yang describe the natural rhythm and duality that exists within and around us.

Yin represents stillness, rest, cooling, and nourishment. It’s the night, the moon, the receptive and quiet energy. Yang represents movement, warmth, activity, and expression. It’s the day, the sun, the outward and active energy. We can see this relationship everywhere - in the changing of seasons, the cycle of day and night, and within our own body and emotions. Yin and Yang are always interacting, shifting, and finding balance. One cannot exist without the other.

When Yin and Yang flow harmoniously, our body feels grounded and energised, our digestion is smooth, our sleep is restorative, and our emotions feel steady, but when Yin and Yang slip out of rhythm, we start to feel it in subtle ways. Too much Yang might feel like being ‘switched on’ all the time - warm, restless, or unable to wind down. Too much Yin may feel like being slowed or weighed down - tired, cold, or a little flat. Our body is always giving us clues about where balance needs to be restored.

Rather than focusing only on symptoms, TCM looks at where the imbalance lies, and works gently to restore harmony between Yin and Yang. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet, and lifestyle practices all support this rebalancing process. 

Each treatment is guided by what your body needs most. Perhaps more rest and nourishment (Yin), or more warmth and movement (Yang). The aim isn’t to make everything perfectly equal, but to help your body flow naturally between Yin and Yang, to adapt, soften, and come back into rhythm. When Yin and Yang are balanced, we feel it, it’s that sense of ease, presence, and connection to ourselves.