Ancient Chinese philosophy teaches us that all of nature is made up of two opposing but harmonious principles: yin and yang. Yang is the principle of masculinity and symbolizes qualities such as movement, fire and activity. To balance yang, we have yin: the feminine principle of stillness, water and passivity.
All things in life, including yoga or other forms of exercise, can be classed as yin or yang according to their basic qualities. There are styles of yoga (Bikram or Ashtanga for example) that are more yang-like, with their emphasis on strength and heat-building, dynamic poses. Yin yoga however, is totally different, with an emphasis on longer-held poses primarily done on the floor and the cultivation of mindfulness and surrender. I have experienced yin yoga to be a truly life-changing practice, here are 5 reasons to give it a go:
1. It will enable you to deal with the stresses of everyday life.
Western culture places a lot of value on yang-like qualities such as productivity, working hard and achieving external success. This can certainly assist us in realizing our goals and desires - however, when out of balance it can cause stress, exhaustion, anxiety and depression. We must remember to balance this with yin qualities also, such as taking time to slow down, relax and appreciate the present moment. A regular yin yoga practice is an excellent way to achieve this balance.
2. It will dissolve physical stress and tension.
Sitting at desks for too long, too much driving, lack of exercise or even too much exercise can cause stress and tension in the body. These knots of contraction occur in the fascia, and yin yoga works directly on the fascia of the lower body to deeply release any built-up tightness. Fascia is connected in one long sheath, and simply by working on a few areas where the fascia is dense (such as the lower back and hips), allows it to start to loosen up all over.
3. It will help you to shift gears from "doing" to "being".
Each pose in yin yoga is held from a minimum of 3 minutes up to 8 minutes, so you are spending long periods in stillness, focusing on the breath and the sensations in the body. This can seem strange if you are not used to slowing down, but gradually you will be able to shift gears and surrender, and your body and mind will be able to relax deeply. It is a great introduction to more formal types of meditation as well.
4. It will complement your other workouts.
Most forms of exercise such as swimming, walking, jogging and gym work-outs can be considered yang in nature due to their focus on dynamism, strength and endurance. While necessary for health and fitness, they may also lead to joint damage, injury and tightness in certain areas. Yin yoga release these tight areas and further reduce the risk of injury by improving both flexibility and your natural awareness of your body and it's limitations.
5. It will benefit your life "off the mat" as well.
Definitely the most powerful benefit of an ongoing yin yoga practice is how it can slowly change your attitude to, and experience of, life in general. As you begin to cultivate patience, acceptance and compassion towards your body in the long-held poses, these same qualities will also arise in your daily life as well. From becoming more tolerant with difficult people who would normally drive you nuts, to being more compassionate and accepting of yourself, yin yoga will transform your outlook on life for the better.
All things in life, including yoga or other forms of exercise, can be classed as yin or yang according to their basic qualities. There are styles of yoga (Bikram or Ashtanga for example) that are more yang-like, with their emphasis on strength and heat-building, dynamic poses. Yin yoga however, is totally different, with an emphasis on longer-held poses primarily done on the floor and the cultivation of mindfulness and surrender. I have experienced yin yoga to be a truly life-changing practice, here are 5 reasons to give it a go:
1. It will enable you to deal with the stresses of everyday life.
Western culture places a lot of value on yang-like qualities such as productivity, working hard and achieving external success. This can certainly assist us in realizing our goals and desires - however, when out of balance it can cause stress, exhaustion, anxiety and depression. We must remember to balance this with yin qualities also, such as taking time to slow down, relax and appreciate the present moment. A regular yin yoga practice is an excellent way to achieve this balance.
2. It will dissolve physical stress and tension.
Sitting at desks for too long, too much driving, lack of exercise or even too much exercise can cause stress and tension in the body. These knots of contraction occur in the fascia, and yin yoga works directly on the fascia of the lower body to deeply release any built-up tightness. Fascia is connected in one long sheath, and simply by working on a few areas where the fascia is dense (such as the lower back and hips), allows it to start to loosen up all over.
3. It will help you to shift gears from "doing" to "being".
Each pose in yin yoga is held from a minimum of 3 minutes up to 8 minutes, so you are spending long periods in stillness, focusing on the breath and the sensations in the body. This can seem strange if you are not used to slowing down, but gradually you will be able to shift gears and surrender, and your body and mind will be able to relax deeply. It is a great introduction to more formal types of meditation as well.
4. It will complement your other workouts.
Most forms of exercise such as swimming, walking, jogging and gym work-outs can be considered yang in nature due to their focus on dynamism, strength and endurance. While necessary for health and fitness, they may also lead to joint damage, injury and tightness in certain areas. Yin yoga release these tight areas and further reduce the risk of injury by improving both flexibility and your natural awareness of your body and it's limitations.
5. It will benefit your life "off the mat" as well.
Definitely the most powerful benefit of an ongoing yin yoga practice is how it can slowly change your attitude to, and experience of, life in general. As you begin to cultivate patience, acceptance and compassion towards your body in the long-held poses, these same qualities will also arise in your daily life as well. From becoming more tolerant with difficult people who would normally drive you nuts, to being more compassionate and accepting of yourself, yin yoga will transform your outlook on life for the better.
About the Author:
Sharee James is a certified naturopath and a yoga and meditation instructor. Try a short introductory yin yoga class and experience the peace of yin yoga for yourself!
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