Deciphering the five elements

The wu xing theory has numerous applications in traditional Chinese culture, ranging from medicine, martial arts, cooking, clothing, architecture, fengshui and fortunetelling, to astrology and warfare.

According to the wu xing theory, the five elements have a complex relationship with each other. To just give an example, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, and metal generates water. Meanwhile, metal overcomes wood, wood overcomes earth, earth overcomes water, water overcomes fire, and fire overcomes metal.

As for the Wu Xing Zhuang exercise, each of the five stances corresponds with one of the five elements -- water, wood, fire, earth and metal.

And each element corresponds with different internal organs and systems of the human body. Therefore, each of the five stances is designed to regulate the functions of the corresponding organs and related body systems.

For example, the water element corresponds with the kidneys, urinary system and reproductive system; wood corresponds with the liver, gall bladder, digestive and hormonal systems; fire corresponds with the heart, blood vessels and circulatory system; earth corresponds with the spleen, pancreas and digestive system; and metal corresponds with the lungs and respiratory system. And the whole exercising process works positively on one’s locomotor and nervous systems.

When the equilibrium of the yin and yang energies within the human body is disturbed, that situation weakens the immune system and eventually leads to illness.

To alter this imbalance, one has to perform the five stances in different sequences and do certain sequences for extra rounds, to strengthen certain physical functions and regain inner balance, besides getting medical treatment.

According to Taoist medicine theories, the adjusted physical conditions and a restored balance within improve one’s emotional and mental states, too.