Indian Summer, a period of ripening and harvest. In Chinese medicine it is the
season of the Earth element. Earth is associated with the center, the stomach, and how we
nourish ourselves. It is a powerful season during which much transformation takes place
in a very short span of time. But we may not reap the full benefits of the season if we are
not in harmony with ourselves.
When we are out of balance, we experience disease on various levels. Physically,
we may have discomfort in the form of muscle aches, colds or inefficient functioning of
organs. Emotionally, we may be worried, unclear, and unable to come to decisions.
Spiritually, we may find ourselves disengaging from our life’s purpose, & becoming self-
centered.
In ancient times, people lived close to the earth and followed “sun time” (the 24
hour clock). We got up with the daylight to work, took siestas when the sun was too
strong, finished our day at sunset, then retired at night when the darkness fell upon us.
We looked to Nature and used her for direction.
Today, our pace of life has quickened. Advanced technology has enabled us to
function without regard to sunlight. We have separated from sun time and attunement to
our natural body rhythm. Our guide, the internal clock, has been pushed aside, & ignored.
We have cut ourselves off from a valuable source of information. Our minds have taken
over; we have lost touch with our center.
The belly is not only a physical center that joins the upper and lower halves
together. It represents a spiritual center that contains an abundant source of information
that can serve as an internal guide to creativity and self-healing. In Oriental medicine it is
known as the hara, which literally translates into “belly” or “root.”
Many of us have judgments and shame associated with this area of our body. We
certainly have not been encouraged to listen to our bellies.  As a culture, we believe that a
hard, flat belly represents health. Only when a woman is pregnant is it acceptable to have a belly. Even then, many women struggle to enjoy this expansion of life in their body.
We place a great deal of importance on body image and the external “look”. I ask,
“What does it feel like to hold in your gut? What would it be like to soften the belly?”
When we harden the belly, our energy moves up into our heads. This can result in
physical imbalances such as headaches and upper back tension. The thinking, rational
mind becomes the focus of our consciousness and we ignore the belly’s wisdom. Holding
the belly in numbs us to the sensations or feelings that once guided us. We may
experience constipation, low back ache, or menstrual disorders. An open belly connects
us to our sensuous nature, our creativity and intuition. We are inclined to focus on the
inner processes and develop a strong relationship with our higher self when we bring our
consciousness down into the belly.
We often look for the answers outside of ourselves when we already have what
we need within. That inner knowledge is asleep inside our bellies. So the next time an
aerobics instructor tells you to suck in your gut, take a breath deep into your abdomen
and listen to what your feel. It takes time to discard the myths to which we’ve grown
accustomed. Staying open keeps us alive to the possibility of discovering the mysteries!
Gina Bader, Published 1997  Gina is a Chicago Illinois native and an instructor at ASIS Massage Education.  For more
information, go to http://asismassage.com/staff_directory_list.htm