The light grows softer. The mornings are colder. The world slows down — not as an ending, but as a deep pause. Welcome to Winter / Water season.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the year continues its cycle through five phases, and winter carries us into the still, potent depth of Water — the element of rest, wisdom, and stored potential.

After the outward expression of Fire and the refinement of Metal, Water invites us beneath the surface. This is the season of conserving energy, listening inward, and trusting what is quietly taking shape. Nature is not dormant — it is gathering strength.

What Is Winter / Water Season in TCM?

Winter is governed by the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, the body’s energetic root system. These organs are associated with vitality, longevity, and our deepest reserves of energy (jing). They remind us that rest is not weakness — it is preparation.

  • Organs: Kidneys (essence, vitality, willpower) and Urinary Bladder (flow, elimination, adaptability)
  • Element: Water — deep, quiet, resilient, powerful
  • Emotion: Fear — which, when balanced, transforms into wisdom and trust
  • Seasonal Tone: Cold, still, inward, restorative

Water teaches us how to move with life rather than force it — how to pause, listen, and respond.

The Water Meridians

Each organ system in TCM flows along a meridian — an energetic pathway we can access through movement, breath, and awareness.

  • Kidney Meridian: Begins at the sole of the foot, travels up the inner leg and torso to the chest — governing grounding, resilience, and inner strength.
  • Urinary Bladder Meridian: Begins at the inner corner of the eye, travels over the head and down the back of the body to the little toe — supporting posture, nervous system regulation, and the body’s ability to adapt.

Together, these meridians remind us that stability comes from a strong foundation and an adaptable spine — rooted below, responsive above.

How This Season Shapes Our Yoga Practice

Winter practice is not about doing more — it’s about doing just enough.

Our seasonal classes emphasize:

  • Slow, steady standing postures — to build warmth and strength without depletion
  • Hip, low back, and hamstring work — supporting the Kidney and Bladder pathways
  • Longer holds and simpler shapes — allowing the nervous system to settle
  • Grounded breathwork — emphasizing slow, deep breathing and longer exhales
  • Rest and integration — intentional pauses to absorb the practice

Expect classes that feel quieter, heavier, and more intentional — like moving through water rather than against it.

In the Studio (and in the Season)

Winter is a time to make practice feel contained and supportive.

Dim lighting, warm layers, longer savasana, and fewer transitions help create a sense of safety and ease. Even standing poses become meditative — an opportunity to feel your feet, your breath, and your internal rhythm.

If the day is clear and cold, a few minutes of standing yoga outdoors can be deeply regulating. Bundle up, move slowly, and let the crisp air sharpen your awareness before returning to warmth.

Off the Mat (Living with the Season)

Living in alignment with winter means honoring limits and protecting energy.

  • Rest more: Sleep is medicine this season.
  • Eat warm, nourishing foods: Soups, stews, bone broth, beans, and root vegetables.
  • Keep the body warm: Especially the low back, feet, and neck.
  • Simplify your schedule: Fewer commitments, more space.
  • Listen inward: Journaling, quiet walks, or simply sitting can be powerful practices now.

Winter supports introspection — not isolation, but intentional quiet.

The Heart of the Season

Winter reminds us that stillness is not stagnation.

Beneath frozen ground, seeds are preparing to sprout.
Within rest, strength is quietly building.
Within Water, there is immense power.

This is the season of depth, wisdom, and trust.

Welcome to Winter / Water season.
See you on the mat — grounded, steady, and moving with the rhythm of the season.

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