self love – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:50:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/favicon-36x36.png self love – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com 32 32 Fire – Hug heart to heart https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/fire-hug-heart-to-heart/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:15:50 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=5592 Continue reading →]]> Fire – Hug heart to heart
 
The hug
Next time you go in for or are receiving a hug, take note.  Do you lean in left shoulder to left shoulder, right shoulder to right shoulder or reach for the waist with a side hug? Are you comfortable with a hug? Were you raised with hugs? How long is your natural hug? Do you want to practice hugging?
 
Word Origin
Etymologically, “hug” is thought to come from the Old Norse word hugga, which translates to “to comfort or console”.
 
A lesson from one of my clinical mentors in my Chinese Medicine program has never been forgotten and still settles in my mind and body upon each greeting or departing with the gesture of affenction more than 20 years later. Hugging heart to heart is an everyday Qi Gong practice.
 
How to Give a Heart-to-Heart Hug
 
A true heart-to-heart hug requires conscious physical alignment to connect your energetic centers.
 
Follow these steps:
  1. Approach Left-to-Left: Step forward and slightly shift your body to the right so your left shoulder aligns with the other person’s left shoulder.
  2. Heart Contact: Wrap your arms around them, allowing the left side of your chest (where your heart resides) to press directly against theirs.
  3. Breathe and Hold: Hold the embrace for at least 20 seconds. Take 2–3 full relaxing breaths.

The Scientific Why?

  • Releases Oxytocin: Holding the hug for 20 seconds triggers the release of oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), which lowering heart rates and reducing cortisol stress levels.
  • Calms the Nervous System: The deep pressure stimulation co-regulates your nervous systems, shifting both bodies from “fight-or-flight” into a restorative “rest-and-heal” parasympathetic state.
  • Enhances Emotional Security: Direct chest contact stimulates the vagus nerve, instantly lowering blood pressure and increasing feelings of safety and social trust.

 
Igniting the Inner Smile: Qi Gong & the Fire Element
 
True connection begins with an open heart. Summer is governed by the Fire element, a powerful force that directly rules the heart, small intestine, and our emotional capacity for joy. When our Fire element is balanced, we naturally radiate warmth, enthusiasm, and compassion—the exact ingredients needed for a deep, meaningful embrace.
 
However, when life gets overwhelming, the Fire element can burn too hot, leading to anxiety, insomnia, or emotional burnout. Conversely, if the fire dims, we might feel isolated or disconnected. Qi Gong offers a gentle, moving meditation to clear this excess heat and rekindle our inner warmth.
 
Stoking the Warmth of Connection
In Qi Gong practice, the heart is considered the home of our spirit, or Shen. To harmonize the Fire element, we use fluid movements paired with the “Heart Sound” (Haw). This specific healing sound acts like a cooling breeze, releasing pent-up pressure from the chest.
 
Qi Gong Practices for kindred fire
 
Step-by-Step Instructions:
 
Clearing the Heart (Disperse stagnation, process grief, reduce blame & hatred)
 

The Setup: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees soft, palms together in a prayer position at the center of your chest.

  1. The Inhale: Breathe in deeply through your nose, feeling your chest expand.
  2. The Exhale: Push your hands straight forward away from your body, palms facing out. Simultaneously, exhale through your mouth while whispering the healing sound “Hawww” to release tension.
  3. Repetitions: Repeat for 6 to 9 breaths.
 
By pushing your hands forward on the exhale and drawing them back to your chest on the inhale, you regulate the heart’s rhythm. You are actively clearing away old hurts and pulling in pure, unconditional love. This practice shifts your internal state from stress to safety, making your physical hugs an authentic extension of your inner peace.
 
Opening the Heart (Invite positive energy and possibility)
 

The Setup: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees soft, and arms relaxed at your sides. 

  1. The Inhale: Bring your hands up to chest height, palms facing each other, then extend your arms straight out in front of you. Gently expand your arms out wide to the sides, opening your chest completely.
  2. The Exhale: Softly bring your hands back toward the centerline of your chest, palms facing your body, crossing your arms, wrapping yourself in an embrace.
  3. Repetitions: Repeat for 6 to 9 breaths.
Balancing your Fire element allows you to show up fully for yourself and those you care about. By cultivating a peaceful heart, your presence becomes a safe harbor for yourself and for others.
 
 
 
]]>
5592
Earth: Be spontaneous https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/earth-be-spontaneous/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:15:36 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=4980 Continue reading →]]> What comes to mind for you when you hear the word spontaneous?

Fun, going with the flow, adventure, excitement, allowing a natural unfolding?

No way, Nope, No. Not for me. I just can’t. That’s crazy. 


From the latin roots: sua – from + sponte – of (one’s) own accord


Recall the last time you had a good belly laugh? True laughter arises spontaneously. 

When was the last time you were spontaneous? A last minute yes to extra concert tickets? a trip to the beach without previous planning? dancing in the kitchen to a favorite song? a walk to clear your head after hours on the computer? chasing a rainbow or sunset? a random act of kindness?

Do you have a great story about a decision you make spontaneously?

Why be spontaneous?

It can contribute to our happiness, expose us to new things and engender adaptability. Life events can turn out better than we could ever imagine (or plan) when we allow natural unfolding verses forcing desired outcomes.


5 ways to encourage spontaneity:

Be present

Be open to new things

Be flexible

Trust your intuition

Connect with your feelings & emotions


 

Spontaneity v Impulsivity

In short, spontaneity considers the consequences of the decision.  Impulsivity does not.

]]>
4980
Water ~ Listen and wait https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/water-listen-and-wait/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:30:41 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=4507 Listen and wait.

 

Winter is the most yin time of the year – the most receptive season.

Practice reserve.

Spring has not yet come.

We are still dreaming our dreams.

Practice listening to the stillness.

Practice waiting in the void.

 

Join our email for seasonal retreats, nature connects https://follow.it/drsaritaelizabeth?action=followPub

]]>
4507
Water ~ Expand your circle of love https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/water-expand-your-circle-of-love/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:29:53 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=4515 Continue reading →]]> Expand your circle of love.

When we honor the stillness of winter, love settles.

Winter is the quiescent season.

 

The season to remember, accept, forgive and heal generational to generation.

This is all work to be done in the deep and quiet essence of spirit.

First we find self love.

Then we find love for the other, the beloved.

Next we expand our heart to those with which we have difficulties.

Finally we can honestly expand our circle of love to the greater community.

This is metta. This is the practice of loving kindness.

 

It will rock your world.

 

 

 

]]>
4515
Water ~ Develop true humility https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/water-develop-true-humility/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:29:24 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=4521 Continue reading →]]> Develop true humility.

How can we develop healthy humility?
Passionate curiosity is a start.

In the asking, we engage the other and the ego is checked.

Service is a good middle.

How does it feel when we volunteer our best hours of the week, donate our most valuable items or fund a heart felt cause?

In the end, seek original origins.

Humilis is the Latin root meaning low.

 

By our own choice, consequence, or chance, true humility is often the outcome of experiencing great depth, deep troubles or profound sorrows.

Water, the element of winter, teaches us how to serve all, go underground and spring up when necessary, go deep and take many forms.

]]>
4521
Water ~ You are a visionary https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/water-you-are-a-visionary/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:28:53 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=4513 Continue reading →]]> You are a visionary.

The water element paired organs that peak in winter are the Bladder and Kidney (plus adrenals).

The bladder meridian travels from the inner canthus of the eye across the head down the back side of the entire body exiting out the little toe. It traverses all of us.

Many of the point names indicate their function: bright eyes, supporting yang, supporting middle, celestial pillar, soul door, spirit hall, spiritual celestial connection, soul gate.

Acupuncture treats all levels of the human – mind, body, spirit.

Treating the bladder points can not only treat our organs like the bladder or the eyes, but it can also treat our spiritual sickness. It can help us see through the eyes of spirit. The dark clouds of our emotions and thinking can be cleared to see the bright blue skies of divine perfection.

Winter is Dreamtime.

Make the connection to your internal visionary this winter.

Dream it.

Envision it.

]]>
4513
Fire – Love Heals. Period. https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/fire-love-heals-period/ Mon, 19 Sep 2022 21:16:57 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=3985 Love Heals. Period. A shout-out to those beloveds that offer and receive unconditional love. I’m blessed with so much love. It’s a mighty power. Relationships are the theme for the fire season of summer. Did you know you become like the 5 people you spend the most time with?
Let that sink in. Yes, you become like them. Choose wisely.
I choose heart. I choose integrity.
I choose passion, honesty, kindness, presence. What do you choose? With love and all the while, I am super picky about my close-ins and with whom I spend my precious time. #elementwisdomcards #fire #naturopathicdoctor #tcm #fiveelements #love #relationshipcoaching #friends #coworkers

]]>
3985
Fire – Burn Bright Beautiful One https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/fire-burn-bright-beautiful-one/ Mon, 19 Sep 2022 20:56:37 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=3973 Continue reading →]]> Boundaries with Dignity = Self Love 💗 People treat you the way you allow them to treat you. The pericardium, heart protector, may be injured with boundary violations like rape or incest or with trauma like divorce or heartbreak. If you struggle with setting or holding healthy boundaries or it appears that your boundaries are frequently being challenged, look inward AND outward. It is a self love practice. If you are still confused ask yourself: how does it feel if my daughter was being treated in this manner/allowing this situation? How does it feel if my best friend was? Then ask again for yourself. Do it goddess! Set boundaries with dignity. Use fire when necessary 🔥 If the fire doesn’t work, book a session, and I’ll light one for you. Burn Bright Beautiful One #selflove #pericardium #5element #acupuncture #fire #elementwisdomcards #relationshipcoaching

]]>
3973
Fire – Apply self love generously https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/fire-self-love/ Mon, 19 Sep 2022 20:50:39 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=3969 The heart ♥ and it’s heart protector🧡 have energy peaks during the summer. If you are struggling with self love, breaking out of toxic patterns or conflicts with your family or beloveds, connect for the support you need. Book an acupuncture session. Purchase a fire/summer Element Wisdom Card deck. Love yourself. Care for yourself. Empower yourself. 💫  #love #heartblock #selflove #acupuncture #naturopathicdoctor #wayshower

]]>
3969