Prairie Song Healing Arts

Today during the Autumn Equinox, we enter Metal season, according to Qigong 5 Elements Healing Theory. Metal regulates the Lung system. The Healing color is White. The healing emotion is Contentment.

Today, Yin and Yang energy is balanced. Then we will move towards Yin dominance until we reach the Winter Solstice. This is a time when activity wanes, and internal refinement increases. We see it in nature as plants’ energy returns to their roots, and animals prepare for hibernation. In Qigong, we see it as spending more time in meditation than active exercise, but in the spirit of balance, we still do both.

It is a time when you may see more respiratory illness, especially with 2026 being a double fire year, as fire suppresses metal. But we can help support our Lung system with proper foods and activities. Remember the healing color of White, as you may add more onions, garlic, potatoes, turnips, ginger, and bone broth to your diet. Also, any root vegetables are nourishing, as plant energy is returning to its roots.

Also, focus on what brings you contentment. I plan to begin each morning in Autumn thinking about one thing that makes me feel content.

Sending you Healing Autumn Blessings for the season! 💓☯️

Today, we observe the International Day of Peace. This year’s theme is “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” It’s recognizing that peace is not only an absence of war, but an everyday occurrence. So many actions invest in peace:

Help someone
Donate to a food pantry or nonprofit thrift store
Say hello to a stranger
Visit a nursing home
Visit an animal shelter
Say a prayer or meditate
Pick up trash while out for a walk

Sometimes people are overwhelmed by world affairs and begin to feel hopeless. When you shift your focus to what you can do, however small it may seem, your actions have a ripple effect and you make a bigger difference than you think. ☯️🌍🕊️

International Day of Peace | United Nations The purpose of the day is the pursuit of peace as a fundamental human right.

It’s not broken! 🥳

So yes, we are still having our 5 Element practice group for Metal tomorrow at noon (September 18).

More evidence that Spring Forest Qigong is designed in such a way that anyone can do it! ☯️

Today is World Literacy Day. I always have a book when I work with chair massage, in case I have an open period. Right now, I’m reading WILD CHOCOLATE, by Rowan Jacobsen. It’s the September selection for Botany Book Club at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

What are you reading?

When your kombucha matches your scrubs 💜

It’s wicked hot out there, friends 🥵. I’m cooling off with a cold kombucha, purchased at Campbell's Nutrition, and an Asian chicken salad from The Grateful Chef.

Here is the Polk County emergency temperature plan, in case you need assistance: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/emergency-management/our-plans/extreme-temperature-and-sheltering-resources/

And speaking of Wicked, it’s currently playing at Des Moines Performing Arts - DMPA. Here is the link for tickets and info: https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/broadway/wicked

Stay cool 😎 And hydrate 💧

https://www.dmpl.org/get-card

September is Library Card Sign-up Month. So many benefits for $0.

You never know who will show up for Qigong at Sylvan. They stayed for quite a while, so we had a nice chat. 🦋

Next Saturday will be the last one for 2026!

This month, we move into Late Summer, which is Earth in the Qigong 5 Element Healing theory. While still vibrant and active for summer, energy is beginning its descent to the roots. To make a healthy transition, we need to do the same.

It is a good time for grounding, connecting with the earth, internal refinement, and moderate activity.

We will have a practice group this Friday at Noon to help prepare for this transition, to make the transition smoother. Cost is $10.

We will begin with a short discussion about the Earth element, do the 5 Element Active Exercise, and conclude with a short meditation.

No experience necessary.

Tomorrow, August 7, is First Friday!

Since we are still in Double Fire energy, we will focus once again on Yin/Yang balance. No experience necessary!

☯️

First Friday is this week! It is also the Full Moon 🌕
I have also been getting many reports of people feeling very unbalanced, so we will practice the 5 Elements active exercise, and focus on releasing negative and ancestral karma during our meditation.

Noon-1:00
$10