The "ear" refers to the top part of a grain plant that contains the seeds. At Grain in Ear, farmers are busy harvesting wheat or planting rice, so it is a solar term closely related to agricultural production.

It represents the start of the midsummer season with high temperatures and abundant rainfall. There will be continuous rainy days in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which are called the plum rains season.

It is also the stage when Yang-Qi gradually rises, and Yin-Qi is hidden. We can sleep at midnight to nourish Yin and take a nap at noon to cultivate Yang and promote Qi and blood circulation.

The exercise of Grain in Ear improves the Heart Meridian Sinew of Hand-Shaoyin. It originates from the inner side of the little finger, goes up into the armpit along the inside of the elbow, then extends to the chest, runs down the diaphragm, and connects to the navel.

Breathe in, turn your hands in front of the chest with the little fingers up, hold both hands up, and lean back your body to stretch. Breathe out, turn your body back, and put down your hands to the waist. Repeat several times according to your own conditions.

During the Grains in Ear period, people could wake up early and sleep late to work hard and sow the seeds of hope.

(Video: Shanghai Qigong Research Institute)