The Heart-Breast Connection: Summer Wellness Through the Lens of East Asian Medicine
The Heart & Emotions
The connection between our physical and emotional well-being is an important aspect of our overall health. Our bodies and minds are interconnected in complex ways, and our emotional state can have a significant impact on our physical health, and vice versa.
Our hearts have long been associated with emotions, and many metaphors and phrases such as “heart-warming” or “heartbreak” have been created to describe our emotional experiences. In East Asian Medicine, the Heart is considered the "Emperor" or "Empress" of our emotional landscape, governing not only our feelings but also our vitality. Further, it explains the deep influence that our emotions have on the movement of our bodily fluids and energy. Our emotions can and do orchestrate our bodies whether we recognize it or not.
Modern science even supports this. The heart contains a complex network of neurons, similar to those found in the brain, which is often referred to as the “heart-brain”. This network communicates with the brain to regulate our emotions, including feelings of love, empathy, and compassion. In fact, research has shown that the heart can send more signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart, suggesting that the heart may play a more significant role in our emotions than previously thought.
Furthermore, heart rate variability (HRV) has been found to be a useful tool in measuring emotional states. HRV is the variation in time between successive heartbeats and has been linked to various emotional states. For example, a high HRV is associated with positive emotions such as joy, love, and gratitude, while a low HRV is linked to negative emotions such as fear, anger, and depression. Auricular acupuncture has been shown to improve HRV. You can read more about ear acupuncture here.
The Heart and Summertime
Summer, with its long, sunny days and high energy, corresponds perfectly with the Fire element in East Asian Medicine. This element represents transformation, passion, and illumination. Just as the Fire element transforms wood into earth, the Heart's vitality transforms our emotions into actions and experiences. The Fire element is a reminder to embrace the fullness of life, engage with our passions, and connect deeply with our inner selves as well as the world around us.
Summer is a season of abundance and growth, the Heart is associated with warmth, joy, and the blossoming of passions. As the sun radiates its brilliance upon the Earth, the Heart radiates its energy throughout our body, ensuring the smooth circulation of qi.
As we wind down from the vibrant season of Summer, characterized by the element of Fire and its representation of passion and transformation, I’d like to invite you to explore the Heart-Breast connection through the lens of East Asian Medicine. The Heart, our emotional center, influences our breast health and overall vitality. Additionally, we'll also explore breast massage, as a practice that embodies the nurturing energy of Summer to promote healthy flow, movement, and transformation.
Seasonal Medicine
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Seasonal Medicine 〰️
Heart-Breast Connection
As we immerse ourselves in the energies of summer and the Fire element, we have the opportunity to reflect on the connection between our Hearts and Breasts. By nurturing our emotional well-being and learning self-care practices like breast massage, we align ourselves with the medicine of this vibrant season.
Through the Heart-Breast connection, we discover the interplay between our emotional landscape and our physical health. Just as the Heart radiates its warmth, our breasts extend their warmth into our physical form. Through practices like breast massage, we encourage the release of stagnant energy and embrace the transformative power of the Fire element. By nurturing the Heart-Breast connection, we not only feel better but also deepen our connection to the rhythms of nature and the profound wisdom of cyclical living and East Asian Medicine.
The Heart's influence extends beyond our emotions, reaching into the physical realm of the body. The breasts, often referred to as "extensions of the Heart," are not only vital in nourishing our young but also in embodying the Heart's emotional expressions of giving and receiving love. A Heart organ and channel that practices the ability to freely give and receive contributes to harmonious breast health, while emotional imbalances can manifest as stagnation in the chest, impacting the flow of qi and blood.
Promoting Flow: Breast Massage
One of the most powerful and profound ways to feel into the Heart-Breast connection is through breast massage. As we move through life's experiences, emotional and physical tensions can accumulate, leading to stagnant energy. Breast massage is a humble and effective practice that can help to release this stagnation, and promote the flow of qi, blood, and emotions. Breast Massage can easily be a part of your weekly self-care ritual. Create these sacred windows dedicated to yourself, to drop in and deeply listen, and enjoy the healing benefits of conscious touch.
Breast Oil
Breast massage is enhanced when combined with nourishing oils, selected for their therapeutic properties. In the context of summer and the Fire element, oils such as rose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang resonate with warmth and passion. These oils not only offer physical benefits but also embody the essence of Summer's transformational energy. Our favorite Breast Massage Oils blends are La Copine by Blind Tiger Bodywork, and the Breast Massage Oil by Living Libations.
How to Perform Breast Massage:
⊹ Begin by finding a quiet and comfortable space. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
⊹ Apply a small amount of your chosen breast oil to your palms, warming it slightly by rubbing your hands together.
⊹ Ask your body if it’s ready for touch. When you’re ready, gently cup your breasts with your hands, with a gentle and loving touch. Hold here for as long as you need.
⊹ Starting on one side, then moving to the other, use gentle pressure, and move your hands in a circular motion, starting from the outer edges and working towards the center.
⊹ As you massage, visualize releasing any emotional or physical tension stored in the chest area. Allow any sounds to be expressed.
⊹ Continue the massage for a few minutes, following your intuition and focusing on the tissues and the emotions that are within them.
⊹ Complete the massage with a few deep breaths, expressing gratitude for the amazing innate healing capacities of your body.
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It's important to prioritize both our physical and emotional health to recognize the ways in which they are interconnected. Breast massage is one pathway to help our hearts move through stagnant emotions. Do you practice breast massage? Want to learn how?
If you’d like to further explore the art of touch and learn how to perform the potent and therapeutic practice of breast massage, check out our Holistic Breast e-course below. Hope to see you there!
- Written by Sam | The Way of Yin Team
