Why You Should Start Practicing Mindful Yin Yoga Now By Jennifer Raye
I first discovered yin yoga when I was heartbroken. What I found in that still and soft practice was a refuge I could always return to when the world around me felt like it was falling apart.
The term “yin” that we use in the name “yin yoga” comes from ancient Taoist philosophy. According to Taoist philosophy, all energy originates from the same primordial source. This source can be divided into two archetypal energies; yin and yang. Yin is used to describe qualities that are passive, internal, and receptive, in contrast to yang, which is more active, fiery, upward and outward moving.
During the practice of yin yoga, postures are softly held for longer periods of time. Most postures are done on the floor and focus on the lower half of the body.
Yin yoga has many benefits. Here are 5 ways yin yoga could help you.
Balances Yang If you live in the modern world, chances are, you could use more yin in your life! Yin qualities are slower, softer, and deeper which help to balance yang qualities which are focused on speed, action, and results.
Supports flexibility, mobility, and lubrication The longer held yin yoga postures put gentle pressure on the connective tissues in the body. This leads to increased moisture content and greater flexibility, mobility, and lubrication in the tissues.
Reduces Stress Yin yoga gives you an opportunity to slow down and come home to yourself. It counteracts the very real stress many people are experiencing on a daily basis.
When you’re stressed, the body ignores secondary priorities like digestion, hormonal regulation, sexual function, and memory, in order to focus its energy on a stimulus it perceives as threatening. Practices that foster a contemplative state of mind, and stillness in the body, can reset the nervous system, and trigger a relaxation response, leading to greater states of peace and healing.
Circulates and cultivates “Qi” or “Prana” Ancient wisdom traditions like Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda (the sister science of yoga), draw on an energetic understanding of the body that includes pathway-like meridians or “nadis”. These meridians contain “Qi”, or “Prana”. During yoga, you can target specific meridians leading to greater harmony in not only the physical body, but also this energetic system.
Develops mindfulness During yin yoga you train the mind and body to stay in the present moment even during discomfort. Through holding postures for extended periods of time, this practice of being still can have a profound effect on the way you relate to your experience. As time and gravity pull you deeper into each posture you have the opportunity to notice all the ways you distract yourself from being here now. Perhaps it's your anxiety or boredom. Maybe it’s your chronic sleepiness, or your perpetual negative self talk.
Whatever the distraction is, during the practice of yin yoga you have the chance to see it clearly and use it to gain greater self awareness. This is excellent training for the real world. Next time you come up against your habitual distractions, the practice makes you more likely to respond thoughtfully and mindfully instead of reacting instantly to discomfort and pain. You can see your patterns clearly and show up more fully.
Prepares you for meditation Opening the hips, legs, and back creates more space with less pain during seated meditation. For anyone who endures discomfort during meditation, doing a few yin postures before sitting will help to create more elasticity in the joints and tissues.
Yin yoga also prepares the mind by helping it to settle and calm before moving into formal meditation. Yogis can enhance this benefit by placing their attention on the breath in a gentle but concentrated way during a yin sequence.
There are so many reasons to practice yin yoga. I hope you try it out and experience the qualities of yin in your life.
Jennifer Raye holds her doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is a published author, experienced yoga and movement teacher, licensed herbalist, acupuncturist, holistic nutritionist, and mindfulness meditation teacher. Jennifer’s offerings reflect her extensive and varied expertise in the fields of contemplative practice and integrative medicine. Steeped in the wisdom of Buddhist mindfulness, and her deep respect for the beauty and magic of the natural world, her teachings emphasize self-care and are holistic and therapeutic. Jennifer teaches classes, retreats, and teacher training, locally and internationally, in addition to running her private medical practice. She is also the creator of a number of online programs. For more information and free resources visit www.jenniferraye.com