This theory is utilized by Chinese medical practitioners to determine a patient’s constitutional type, personality, and behavioral strengths and challenges, and to diagnose patterns of disharmony, all of which guide treatment.
You can see the energy of each element in nature by looking at the behavior of the seasons. When these energies are balanced, the Earth is secure and we have a fruitful harvest. When these energies are imbalanced, we can see:
Just like you can see these natural energies becoming imbalanced in nature, you can also see the imbalances within your body:
| ELEMENT & ORGANS | RELATED ANATOMY | ENERGY OUT OF BALANCE |
| WOOD – Liver/Gallbladder | Tendons, ligaments | Wind can presents as restless leg or tremors |
| FIRE – Heart/Small Intestine | Vessels | Fire can presents as high blood pressure |
| EARTH – Spleen/Stomach | Muscles | Damp can presents as swollen joints |
| GOLD – Lungs/Large Intestine | Skin | Dryness can present within the skin |
| WATER – Kidneys/Bladder | Bones | Cold can present as deep, throbbing bone pain |
You can see the Five Elements at all levels of the brain:
This is the most primitive level of the brain which manages basic functioning:
| WOOD | Movement |
| FIRE | Senses |
| EARTH | Digestion |
| GOLD | Breathing |
| WATER | Sleeping |
When this foundational level is imbalanced, it is more difficult to thrive at a higher level of brain functioning.
The Cleansing Lifestyle Program focuses on balancing the Primal Brain.
The next evolution of the brain is the Emotional Brain where you manage your emotional and stress responses.
| WHEN SECURE | WHEN INSECURE |
| Strong, flexible, generous, direct, idealistic, driven, assertive, outgoing | Angry, insensitive, frustrated, irritable, impatient, resentful |
| Happy, fun, charismatic, optimistic, social | Sad, lonely, depressed, anxious, over-excited |
| Patient, nurturing, supportive, thoughtful, practical, selfless, kind, trustworthy | Worry, pensive, selfish, over-protective, no boundaries |
| Righteous, courageous, persistent, determined, minimalist, organized, self-reliant | Rigid, jealous, grief, guilt, forceful, controlling, can’t let go, perfectionist |
| Calm, objective, reflective | Fearful, indecisive, foolish, misguided, irrational |
Finally the most recent evolution of your brain is the Thinking Brain, or Neocortex, where you can express your higher state of being.
| WHEN SECURE | WHEN INSECURE |
| Vision, planning, creativity, and the ability to dream, grit | Impaired resolution of emotional experiences through dreams |
| Clear thinking, perception, and the ability to maintain emotional balance, zest | Insomnia, anxiety, and vivid or disturbing dreams |
| Memory, concentration, the capacity for analytical thinking, generosity | Overthinking, worry, and dreams that reflect unresolved intellectual or emotional issues |
| Physical sensations, instincts, and somatic awareness, grace | Issues with breathing and physical discomfort during sleep |
| Long-term memory, ambition, and endurance, insight | Fearfulness, lack of motivation, and dreams that reflect insecurity or lack of direction |
Your Spirit is the totality of your higher life-forces manifested — your physical embodiment (Po); its animation (Hun) with intention (Yi) and will power (Zhi) — revealed through your Shen. When your Mind and Body are harmonious, your Spirit can manifest fully.
| WOOD | Hun (魂) – The Ethereal Soul Life purpose, vision, planning, direction, benevolence |
| FIRE | Shen (神) – Sovereign Spirit Consciousness, awareness, presence, insight |
| EARTH | Yi (意) – Intention Intellect, thought, concentration, trustworthy |
| GOLD | Po (魄) – Corporeal Soul Instinct, physical embodiment, righteousness |
| WATER | Zhi (志) – Will Willpower, ambition, wisdom |
If the most primal aspect of your being is imbalanced – your movement, mental health, diet, digestion, breathing and sleeping patterns – it is difficult to balance higher levels of your being.
By finding balance in your lifestyle choices, you help bring balance to your mind and body which creates the foundation for healing.
Step into Action
| Begin balancing your lifestyle | Start the Cleansing Lifestyle Program |