Winter Qi according to the Nei Jing

Working with the qi of winter, securing the yang and nourishing the yin…

The three months of winter,

they denote securing and storing.
The water is frozen and the earth breaks open.

Winter is a time to rest more so the physical body can restore and prepare for the coming spring. Our pores are more closed and ‘the yang qi goes into hiding’ - Wang Bing. Cold creates contraction, moving our qi to the depths when working correctly.

Do not disturb the yang [qi].

Go to rest early and rise late.

You must wait for the sun to shine

In winter it can be good to focus on more gentle activity to avoid bringing the qi to the surface too much. Going to bed early and getting up later with the daylight where possible is advised. 15-20mins spent with the sun warming our backs can be useful for securing and storing Yang qi.

Let the mind enter a state

as if hidden,

[as if shut in]

as if you had secret intentions,

as if you already had made gains.

Going into meditation focusing on deep stillness is what can be beneficial in Winter. When the mind is still and quiet, it is easy to see our self truths. By gently being, creating small ripples rather than waves, in the stillness, secrets/hidden aspects can be revealed and tapping into the universal wisdom becomes easier. Going out less might also be useful to avoid getting cold.

Avoid cold and seek warmth and

do not [allow sweat]

to flow away through the skin.

This would cause the qi to be carried away quickly.

It is ideal to avoid getting cold, keeping warm in winter. Sweat is considered a precious substance in Chinese medicine (CM). To loose sweat during the season of winter when the physiological functions of the body are focusing on securing and storing (holding the fluids and nourishment within), might allow our qi to flow out of the pores along with the fluid. This could create weak yang making us more prone to sickness.

This corresponds with the qi of winter and

it is the Way of nourishing storage.

Opposing it harms the kidneys.

In Spring this causes limpness and receding [qi], and

there is little to support generation.

Following this advice works with winter qi which is thought to nourish the storage and securing function of the kidney system. Going against this natural flow of qi might bring limpness and deplete qi in Spring. This is due to the loss of Yang qi and there not being enough to support the reproductive organs and processes (the kidney system includes fertility systems in CM).

Quotes from…
Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen: An Annotated Translation of Huang Di’s Inner Classic - basic questions. Vol.1 . Pg49 & 50 by Unschuld, Tessenow & Zheng 2011

Further commentary is Lee-Ana’s understanding from her trainings, knowledge and lived experiences to date.