YIN and YANG

 

The idea of harmony and balance are also the basis of Yin and Yang. The principle that each person is governed by the opposing, but complementary forces of Yin and Yang, is central to all Chinese and oriental thought. It is believed to affect everything in the universe including ourselves. ​

 

A simple way of looking at Yin and Yang is that there are two sides to everything - happy and sad, tired and energetic, cold and hot. Yin and Yang are the opposites that make the whole. They cannot exist without each other and nothing is ever completely one or the other. There are varying degrees of each within everything and everybody. The tai chi symbol illustrates how they flow into each other with a little Yin always within Yang and a little Yang always within Yin.​ ​

 

One of the main aims of the acupuncturist is to maintain a balance of Yin and Yang within the whole person to prevent illness from occurring and to restore health. Many of the major organs of the body are classified as Yin-Yang pairs that exchange healthy and unhealthy influences.