By Martine Niven

BSc (Hons) Lic Ac, MBAcC, DipCHM, MRHCM, DipTn, Dip Paed

As we launch our Five Elements course this week, I want to offer a brief summary and guide for those who may be struggling with the energy associated with the Wood Element, particularly its connection to anger and its manifestations.

Chinese Medicine considers that disease in the body can arise from several causes, broadly categorised into internal, external, and miscellaneous factors.

1. External causes typically relate to climatic conditions such as cold, dampness, heat, wind, and dryness. These elements invade the body when it is vulnerable or weakened, leading to illness.
2. Miscellaneous causes include lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, work habits, and rest patterns.
3. Internal causes are primarily generated by emotions. One of the most significant emotions, which can lead to disease if it becomes imbalanced, is the energy of the liver or the wood element: Anger.

Anger can take on many forms—frustration, guilt, resentment, and bitterness—and, according to Chinese Medicine, causes the Qi (vital energy) to rise.

This upward movement of energy can manifest physically through symptoms such as headaches, migraines, eye problems, neck and shoulder tension, high blood pressure, and sometimes in extreme circumstances stroke.

When it comes to transforming negative emotional patterns, fighting against them often gives them more power. The most effective way to resolve these emotions is through positive actions such as affirmations or creative visualisation.

Rather than condemning or forcing themselves to be tolerant, which only builds internal pressure, it can be more effective to visualise small acts of kindness and consideration. This redirection of energy through positive visualisation helps to dissolve negative emotional patterns. We can say this is transforming anger into love.

People with an abundance of wood energy and a tendency toward anger often face the challenge of slowing down. They must learn to cultivate inner peace, act from stillness rather than impatience, and surrender to life’s flow instead of being consumed by stress. By embracing this discipline, they can develop their intuition and move more harmoniously through life.

That said, wood energy is essential at times. It symbolises the drive to overcome obstacles and initiate change—vital for setting plans in motion and asserting oneself in life. Its season is spring, a time when life bursts forth with growth. In the same way, this energy is needed when making important decisions, asserting beliefs, or moving toward goals.

However, when wood energy becomes excessive or uncontrolled, it can lead to mental, emotional, and physical destruction. This is when it’s crucial to find ways to redirect and balance the energy, transforming negative expressions of anger into positive ones, such as forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding.

In both life and Chinese Medicine, things are rarely black and white. The yin-yang symbol, central to Chinese philosophy, shows that every aspect contains a bit of its opposite, illustrating that everything is interdependent and constantly changing. Emotions, too, exist on a spectrum, with anger having its yin counterpart in depression and hopelessness. By allowing emotions to flow freely, they can return to a healthy state.

Suppressing anger can be just as harmful as expressing it uncontrollably. The key is to find a way to express anger safely and positively.

Harnessing anger’s energy in positive ways allows us to transform its negative aspects into virtuous qualities. Anger, guilt, frustration, and resentment can be turned into forgiveness, acceptance, consideration, and understanding. Developing these virtues requires self-awareness and discipline.

Steps Toward Change and Balance

• Recognise the problem.
• Identify your inner strengths and abilities.
• Build perseverance and commitment to make the change.

Forgiveness is a powerful antidote to anger. By forgiving, you can free yourself from the burden of resentment and the toxicity of past grievances.

Holding onto anger is like being bitten by a snake—not fatal, but the venom (bitterness) continues to circulate and harm you long after the incident has passed.

Forgiveness neutralises this venom. When you forgive, you allow yourself to let go of the anger and resentment, lightening your emotional load and opening the door to peace of mind.

Steps to Practice Forgiveness

• Reflect on those who have wronged you, whether the harm was severe or mild, and choose to forgive them. This act comes from your heart, and you do it for your own well-being.
• Understand that people, including your parents, did the best they could given their circumstances. Learn from their actions rather than holding onto grievances.
• Forgive yourself for past mistakes. Guilt and shame are destructive emotions. Acknowledge your lessons, forgive yourself, and move forward.
• Change your perspective. Sometimes anger stems from feeling the world isn’t “right.” By shifting your perception, you can respond to issues more clearly and constructively, rather than from a place of uncontrolled emotion.

Anger, being such a direct and forceful emotion, is often viewed as “bad” in society, whereas other emotions like over joy , worry, fear or are more acceptable. But there are safe and constructive ways to express anger.

Physical and Vocal Expression

Sing it out: Loud singing can help emotions flow through the body in a non-destructive way. Sing along to a powerful song in the car, shower, or even at karaoke!

Exercise: Physical activity like punching a cushion, hitting a punch bag, running, or playing racket sports can help release blocked feelings. Practicing this for 5-10 minutes allows you to express anger safely.

However, remember that simply releasing emotions isn’t enough—they will resurface unless the underlying causes are addressed.

Forgiveness: plays a crucial role in this process, helping to dissolve deeper feelings of unappreciation, fear, or disrespect.

Visualisation and Meditation

Visualise acts of kindness: Imagine yourself engaging in positive acts toward others.

Meditation can also be helpful, but if it generates more tension, engage in vigorous exercise beforehand to release pent-up energy.

The liver is the organ associated with anger, and feelings of frustration can manifest as tightness around the ribcage where the liver and gallbladder are located. A simple Qi Gong exercise can help to release this tension and unblock stagnant energy.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
Raise your hands above your head, interlocking your fingers with palms facing downward.

• Lean to one side, taking a deep breath in and out.
• Return to the centre and repeat on the other side.
• Complete this movement six times on each side.

This practice will help restore the free flow of liver energy, bringing emotional and physical relief.

By understanding and managing the powerful energy of this emotion, we can transform it into a source of strength, clarity, and compassion. Whether through forgiveness, physical release, or emotional awareness, we have the tools to find balance and peace.