Health Preservation: Which Is More Important, Yin or Yang?
A Japanese man aged 83 summarized his fitness philosophy: human life is like a furnace. If you leave the furnace exposed to the wind, it will go out quickly. But if you move it indoors, protect it, and let it burn slowly and steadily, life naturally extends.
This idea sounds reasonable at first glance. But how exactly can one slow down the fire inside one’s body furnace? Not exercising? Eating less? Lowering metabolism? None of these make sense. Theoretically plausible, but practically unworkable.
Since the “furnace theory” is easy to understand but hard to implement, is there another theory that’s easier for the elderly to grasp and act upon?
Let us try the TCM concepts of “Yin” and “Yang”!
Famous TCM expert Zhu Danxi famously said: “In the human body, yang is usually excessive, while yin is usually deficient.”
Many seniors find Yin and Yang confusing, but actually, it’s simple: Yin corresponds to water and stillness; Yang corresponds to fire and movement. Visible vitality and dynamic activity belong to Yang. Yet, the true foundation supporting life vitality lies in Yin. Specifically, each organ has Yin and Yang attributes. People often hear: “Yin deficiency leads to Yang excess,” “Water deficiency leads to fire excess”—precisely illustrating the relationship between Yin and Yang.
In TCM, Yang typically refers to what is visible. Of course, it closely relates to longevity and health. Visible aspects are important, but they depend on invisible foundations. The invisible is more critical than the visible.
Among long-lived elders, many are emotionally calm and peaceful; sick elders tend to be restless and exhausted. You see surface emotions, but what truly governs them? You cannot see. TCM teaches: harmony among the five organs ensures mental peace! The five organs are invisible. If Yang is excessive, the elder will have excessive inner fire; if Yin and Yang are balanced, the elder will be healthy.
Indeed, with age, the body’s “Yin” declines faster than “Yang.” Therefore, preserving Yin is the key to longevity and health preservation for the elderly!