The ultimate picture of human health is fundamentally a picture of the health of the greater world as a whole. Human beings are a part of nature and therefore cannot be entirely separated from one another. Our bodies are microcosms of the larger earth; essentially we are the same thing in a different form. Subsequently people are nature themselves, and we can take the laws of nature and apply them to the human body in order to understand how it functions and operates. When the laws of nature are applied to human beings, insight is gained on where there are any imbalances and disharmonies that need to be addressed. Therefore, human health is directly impacted simply by observing nature and applying the same principles.
The optimal wellness experience is literally a body and mind that are in a state of harmony and balance in all aspects. There are various imbalances that can arise among the elements – earth, fire, wood, metal, water – as well as among the flow of energy and blood in the body. When symptoms and disease arise it is due to one or more of these imbalances. In order to address the imbalance there needs to be as much restoration of harmony as possible among the element systems and the organ systems. When the body is immersed in a state of harmony through being in nature, this will have a positive impact on the state of wellness of the body.
In Eastern Medical theory we have the concepts of yin and yang, representing the duality in nature. Anything inner is considered to be yin while outer is considered to be yang. Just like the element systems, a body must have a balance and harmony of yin and yang in order to achieve an optimal state of wellness. Sustainability is the process of people maintaining change in a homeostasis balanced environment where everything is in harmony. Inner balance in conjunction with outer sustainability is another level of harmony that creates wellness. True holistic health is characterized by the treatment of the whole person and is interconnected with the whole world. It takes into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Wellness for human beings is the same as wellness for the planet.
By: Caline Assilian- Area Director – Exhale Spa Miami
Florida Spa & Wellness Association Advisory Board Member