Little Qi Shifu and the Springtime
Liver Yang Rising Dragon

A Spring Reflection on Staying Grounded During Times of Change

The Story Begins Under the Willow Tree

“What are you doing?” asked Octii the Overthinking Octopus to his friend Little Qi Shifu.

“Making funnels for the website,” came a muffled voice from beneath a wild cloud of purple hair as Little Qi Shifu tapped away on her laptop. “And what are you doing?”

Octii blinked slowly beneath the dappled spring sunlight under the willow tree where they sat.

“I’m trying to beat the AI computer at Scrabble… but all these letters are so confusing. M-A-R-A? M-M-K? M-A-K-T-A?” He groaned dramatically. “And ooohhh… my stomach feels queasy. I don’t think I’m going to finish the game again. Then the computer goes CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP and eats all my points… and then I just die in the game…”

Octii clutched his stomach with several tentacles at once, looking anxious, overwhelmed, and thoroughly tangled in his own thoughts.

“Want some help?” asked Little Qi Shifu gently as she peeked over one of Octii’s eight shoulders.

“You first need to take a deep breath and clear your mind,” she said calmly. “Imagine the letters softly floating in your awareness. Let them dance around until they begin settling into words. Then match them to the geometry of the board… connect them to the bingo tiles… and then—”

Little Qi Shifu leapt dramatically into the air.

“SCCCCCHHHWWWWAAAAA–SCCCCHHHWWWWIIIIINNNGGGG!”

At once, the raging green Liver Yang Rising Dragon that had been roaring around Octii’s head began shrinking into a much calmer and friendlier creature.

“BREADTHS / PI for 54 points!” announced Lady Qi Slayer, also known as Little Qi Shifu, taking a low Elvis-style bow. “Thank you, thank you, thank you verrrry much.”

The dragon gave one final grumble… then curled peacefully beside the willow tree.

“Oh…” said Octii, taking another slow breath. “I actually feel better now.”

Little Qi Shifu smiled knowingly.

“Sometimes the mind just needs a little more grounding before the Qi can flow again.”

Understanding Springtime Liver Yang Rising

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with the Wood Element, the Liver, growth, movement, and expansion. It is a season of new beginnings, projects, creativity, and change.

But Spring can also challenge us.

As the weather shifts from the cool stillness of Winter toward the heat and activity of Summer, our bodies and emotions often struggle to adjust. Here in the Silicon Valley Bay Area especially, one day may feel cold and windy, while the next suddenly jumps 20 or 30 degrees hotter.

For sensitive individuals, these rapid environmental changes can create patterns of what Chinese Medicine calls Liver Yang Rising.

This may show up as:

• Headaches or migraines
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Irritability or frustration
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety or overwhelm
• Muscle tension or shifting pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Seasonal allergies or skin flare-ups
• Feeling emotionally “reactive” or easily triggered

Like the windy nature of Spring itself, our thoughts and emotions may begin moving too quickly, making it difficult to feel grounded and centered.

The Overthinking Octopus Pattern

One of the most common patterns I see clinically during Spring is what I jokingly call the “Overthinking Octopus.”

Too many thoughts.
Too many projects.
Too many tabs open in the brain.

The nervous system becomes overloaded while the Liver Qi rises upward without proper grounding.

In modern life, we are constantly processing information, screens, decisions, worries, schedules, and stimulation. Without practices that anchor us back into the body, the mind can begin spiraling into anxiety, frustration, or mental exhaustion.

This is why grounding practices are so important during Spring.

The goal is not to suppress our energy or creativity.

The goal is to help the Qi move smoothly instead of chaotically.

How to Calm the Liver Yang Rising Dragon

Like Little Qi Shifu guiding Octii back into calm focus, we too can learn how to settle our Qi during periods of stress, uncertainty, and rapid change.

Some simple daily practices that help rebalance Liver Qi include:

• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
• Practicing Qigong consistently, even for a few minutes daily
• Walking outdoors in nature
• Eating more seasonally and reducing overstimulation
• Gentle stretching and breathwork
• Strength training to build Blood and stabilize the body
• Reducing excessive screen time and mental overload

One of the most important things we can practice is learning how to pause before reacting.

Breathing slowly. Grounding the body. Returning awareness to the present moment.

When we calm the nervous system, the Qi begins flowing more harmoniously again.

Faith, Perspective, and the Silver Lining

Spring also reminds us that life moves in cycles.

Some days feel windy and chaotic.
Some days feel bright and expansive.

But nothing remains fixed forever.

One of the teachings I often return to during difficult periods is:

“This too shall pass.”

Holding onto this perspective helps disperse stagnant emotional Qi and allows us to remain more flexible, resilient, and emotionally balanced.

A sense of playfulness, gratitude, and humor also helps tremendously.

Little Qi Shifu constantly reminds me to look for the silver lining in difficult situations. Even in uncertainty, there is often hidden wisdom, growth, or redirection taking place.

As Professor Dumbledore wisely said in the Harry Potter series:

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

Closing Reflection

As we move through the energetic winds of Spring, may we remember that balance is not about perfection.

It is about returning.

• Returning to the breath.
• Returning to awareness.
• Returning to the body.
• Returning to calm.

And perhaps most importantly, remembering that even when the Liver Yang Rising Dragon becomes loud and dramatic, it can still be transformed into a friendly companion with patience, grounding, and practice.

Even the Overthinking Octopus can learn to breathe.

And somewhere beneath the willow tree, Little Qi Shifu continues practicing quietly, one mindful breath at a time.

Healing is not forced. It is cultivated — with guidance and consistency.

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Aileen C. Jong, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M., MQT

Founder, QiMastery & VitalQi for Life Acupuncture & Medical Qigong Center 10580 South De Anza Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95104 Tel: 408.475.7925

Website: https://www.qi-mastery.com

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