I hope to practice qìgōng with you on the last day of summer – Tue Sep. 22.
- Online: 8:00 a.m. PT
- In person: 10:15 a.m. Lacy Park, San Marino
秋分 Qiufen (Autumn Equinox) on Wednesday 9/23/2026 is when day and night are equal. It is the midway point for the solstices. It is said there is balance with yin and yang.
The Liu Jie Zang Xiang Lun (Treatise on the Visceral Manifestations and the Six Terms of the Year, Su Wen Chapter 6) says, “those who do not know how the breakdown of the year contributes to health, how the qi abounds and becomes debilitated, and thus how vacuity and repletion arise – they cannot serve as a practitioner.”
During this time of year, the Huangdi Neijing — the Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor suggested that we “nourish the Yin” by tuning to the Yin-contracting nature of Autumn. This might mean getting more sleep. As the days grow shorter, there night be less activity in our daily lives.
During this seasonal node one traditional recommendation is to protect the Lungs, and in particular the Lung Yin. Autumn is the season associated with the Metal Phase and therefore the Lung. Furthermore, Autumn is associated with environmental dryness so protecting the Yin fluids of the Lung is emphasized. Some of the foods that protect the Lung Yin are milk, peaches, pears, apples, soymilk, glutinous rice, sesame seeds, and honey.
Be well.
Dr. Kathy Yep 