A Guide to Balancing the Fire Element (TCM) this Summer

Summer in Aotearoa brings an unmistakable shift in energy. The days lengthen, the warmth deepens, and nature invites us outward. In the Five Element model that informs much of Touch for Health Kinesiology, this is the season of Fire -the element of connection, joy, expression, and emotional warmth.

As practitioners, instructors, and consultants, summer gives us the perfect opportunity to notice how Fire shows up in the body, mind, and emotions. Is it glowing steadily? Burning too intensely? Or flickering and in need of support? Understanding the Fire Element helps us interpret these changes and guide our clients back into balance.

The Fire Element Through the Lens of TCM + Touch for Health
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Fire Element corresponds to:
• Season: Summer
• Taste: Bitter
• Emotions: Joy and love when balanced; agitation or hate when stressed
• Sound: Laughter
• Fortifies: Arteries
• Colour: Red

These associations give us a practical, consistent framework in Touch for Health when observing posture, behaviour, meridian energy, and overall presentation.

The Fire Element expresses itself through four key meridians:
Heart Meridian (Yin)
The home of Shen – our consciousness and emotional presence.
Balanced: clarity, calm, peaceful sleep.
Out of balance: anxiety, restlessness, disturbed sleep.

Small Intestine Meridian (Yang)
The sorter of the system – physically and emotionally.
Balanced: good judgment and clear thinking.
Out of balance: confusion, overwhelm, difficulty filtering stimuli.

Pericardium Meridian (Yin)
The Heart Protector, responsible for healthy relational boundaries.
Balanced: openness with safety.
Out of balance: defensiveness, withdrawal, or difficulty connecting.

Triple Warmer / San Jiao Meridian (Yang)
The regulator of body temperature, metabolism, and the stress response.
Balanced: stable mood and adaptable energy.
Out of balance: burnout, irritability, heat symptoms, adrenal fatigue.

Understanding these meridians gives us a clear pathway when muscle testing and balancing clients during the Fire season.

How to Recognise Fire Imbalances
Fire imbalances can show up in Yin or Yang, through excess or deficiency:
Yin Excess: emotional heaviness, oversensitivity
Yin Deficiency: restlessness, dry heat, difficulty sleeping, feeling hot at night
Yang Excess: irritation, inflammation, rapid speech, intensity
Yang Deficiency: fatigue, cold extremities, low enthusiasm

A well-structured Touch for Health balance helps identify the underlying pattern and bring the Fire Element back into harmony – supporting emotional steadiness, connection, and a sense of internal warmth.

Nourishing the Fire Element Through Food
Summer naturally offers the cooling, hydrating foods that support Fire:
• watermelon, oranges, strawberries
• leafy greens, cucumber, celery
• mint, basil, coriander
• adzuki beans
• rocket, kale, dandelion
• hibiscus or peppermint tea

Bitter foods gently clear heat and support the Heart and Small Intestine meridians.

It’s also wise to reduce alcohol, heavy/greasy foods, excessive spice, and caffeine – choices that tend to aggravate internal Fire (yes, especially challenging during Christmas!).

And sometimes, the fastest way to harmonise the Fire Element is surprisingly simple: the sound of laughter.

Balancing Fire Through the Sound of Laughter
In TCM, each of the Five Elements is associated with a sound.
• Singing supports Earth
• Crying or deep sighing supports Metal
• And laughter supports Fire

Laughter expands the chest, regulates Heart and Pericardium energy, reduces stress, and restores emotional clarity. Best of all – it’s available to everyone.

You may wish to explore, or encourage clients to explore:
• joining a laughter yoga session
• watching a favourite sitcom
• spending time with uplifting people
• reconnecting with activities that naturally bring joy
Ideally go for the deep belly laughter… Try one – or all – and notice the shift.

Why Balance the Fire Element with Touch for Health?
A Fire-focused TFH balance can help:
• calm the mind and improve sleep
• ease emotional overwhelm
• strengthen emotional boundaries
• support circulation and digestion
• restore joy, clarity, and connection
• regulate the Triple Warmer for stress relief
• create a sense of lightness and centredness

Touch for Health provides practical, reliable tools that honour the natural cycles of the year. Summer is an ideal time to work intentionally with the Fire Element and help clients enter the new year with stability, vitality, and a brighter energetic presence.

Summer Invitation
If your Fire feels too bright, too dim, or just a little unsteady, now is the perfect time for a seasonal balance. The same goes for your clients.

Wishing you a warm, grounded, and joy-filled Fire season.
Much love, Alex

P.S. For more spcialized support in balancing your fire this summer, click here to book a session