What are Yin and Yang?
The Chinese believe that two universal forces need to be in balance to achieve health, harmony, and a long life. Yin is the negative force and Yang is the positive force. When the two forces interact, Qi is generated. Qi (internal energy) is considered to be Yin, while the physical body is considered to be Yang. Yin (Qi) cannot be seen or touched, it can only be experienced. Yin (Qi) is the origin of life and allows the Yang (body) to grow and flourish. Yin (Qi) keeps the Yang (body) running properly. When Yin (Qi) energy increases or weakens, the result will be manifested in the Yang (body). If the imbalance persists, the results could be serious to the person’s health and life. If a physical problem occurs, the Chinese treat the source of the dysfunction and not the symptoms. The Chinese believe that you must understand how each organ works and how the organs interact with one another. All of the internal organs are related and connected. Qi is the one thing that links all of the org
Macrobiotic philosophy comes down to explaining everything through the lens of yin and yang. Yang force creates contracting and inward movement while yin force creates expansion and outward movement. From these fundamental forces we get everything: light and dark, speed and slowness, hot and cold, hard and soft, etc. All dualities can be seen through this lens. In macrobiotic thinking, it is believed that if we eat foods that are whole, local and in season, that our bodies get the perfect yin ness and yang ness needed for the natural environment in which we live. When we harmonize with nature, we experience strength, flexibility, freedom and happiness. Tropical foods are great for people living in the tropics; they provide the perfect yin ness and yang ness to balance the extreme heat. Likewise, blueberries are a great fruit for people in New England. When we start to eat really really yin foods like bananas, pineapples, yogurt and sugar (smoothie, anyone?) day after day in New York Ci
