Summer Asian Medicine Potluck [June 4, 2011]

Saturday, June 4, 3:30-5:30pm

"To be in harmony with the atmosphere of summer, awaken early in the morning and reach to the sun for nourishment to flourish as the gardens do."

As you can see from the above quote from The Inner Classic (an ancient Chinese Medicine text), summer growth has a quality distinct from the budding of springtime. Come explore that quality inside different chi gung exercises. Carolanne Oller will explain the natural seasonal cycles and, specifically, the energy of summer. Dan Kleiman will lead the chi gung practice designed to help you feel this energy. Specifically, we will focus on some of the movements of Gods Playing in the Clouds, which you can see performed by Energy Arts Instructors in this video (more Energy Arts videos).

More from the Classic:

"The supernatural forces of summer create heat in the Heavens and fire on Earth, they create the heart and the pulse within the body...the red color, the tongue, the ability to express laughter...they create the bitter flavor, and the emotions of happiness and joy." - The Inner Classic

In the potluck following the lecture and practice portion, we encourage you to follow the dietary advice laid out below and embrace the coming summer energy.

"Use plenty of brightly colored summer fruits and vegetables, and enjoy creating beautiful meals...cook lightly and regularly add a little spicy, pungent, or even fiery flavor.  When sautéing, use high heat for a very short time, and steam or simmer foods as quickly as possible. Use little salt and more water.  Summer offers abundant variety, and the diet should reflect this.

On the hottest days, create a cool atmosphere and serve more cooling fresh foods such as salads, sprouts, (especially mung, soy, and alfalfa), fruit, cucumber, tofu, and fruit and flower teas including chrysanthemum, mint and chamomile...

Also, the dispersing hot flavored spices (red and green hot peppers, fresh ginger, horseradish and black pepper,) are considered appropriate on the warmest weather.  At first their effect is to increase warmth, but ultimately they bring body heat out to the surface to be dispersed.  With heat on the surface, one's body mirrors the summer climate and will therefore be less affected by it...Eating less and lightly on hot, bright days is a natural healthy practice...

- Paul Pitchford, Healing With Whole Foods