The 5 Dimensions of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a multifaceted approach that can reach the physical, energetic, emotional, mental, & spiritual bodies.
Physical Dimension of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga has its roots in both Hatha Yoga & Taoism. According to Taoism philosophy, all energy originates from the same primordial source, collective, connective energy. This source can be divided into two energies, both Yin & Yang.
Ancient Chinese philosophies believe there are connective pathways of Yin & Yang energy that runs through our bodies, described as meridians. The anatomical structure of the meridian channels is related to the connective tissue system/fascia. As we practice Yin yoga, the aim is to work with the meridians while stressing the connective tissue system, our fascia.
The long-held Yin postures put gentle pressure on the connective tissues in the body, which leads to increased moisture content through the Fascia system. This increases the range of motion & flexibility & lubricates, strengthens, & hydrates critical joint tissues. Yin Yoga also improves the arteries’ elasticity, resulting in better circulation & provides a sense of fluidity throughout the body.
Emotional Dimension of Yin Yoga
Yin yoga gives you the space to slow down & counteracts the stress many people experience. When stressed, the body ignores secondary priorities like digestion, hormonal regulation, & memory to focus its energy on a stimulus it perceives as threatening.
In the fast-paced modern world, we tend to stay in the sympathetic state more often than in the relaxed, parasympathetic state; over time, this can have adverse health effects. A mindful Yin yoga practice can help to reset the nervous system & trigger a more relaxed response and better health.
The space within a Yin yoga practice lets us notice what we hold onto. This includes our belief systems, conditioning, resentments, old memories, & emotions. Some of the most complex emotions to try & change are the hardcore conditions & responses which are almost automatic, such as fear & anger. These responses creep up on us, & suddenly we feel & react in a certain way that is familiar & even habitual. They come almost outside of awareness. To change these habits, we first need to become aware of them.
The Yin yoga practice provides a space to release these emotional wounds & disruptive patterns.
Mental Dimension of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga calms & balances both body & mind. Yin Yoga balances our yang energy. We live in a very fast-paced modern world, & bringing some Yin into your life will help to counteract this. Yin qualities are slower, softer, & reflective, which helps to balance our Yang qualities focused on actions & results. Yang’s qualities keep us busy, and we tend to avoid, at times, what’s really going on.
Yin yoga can train the mind & body to stay in the present moment, even during the discomfort. This practice of being still can profoundly affect how you relate to the experience.
You can notice how you physically & mentally distract yourself from being in the here & now. By Cultivating a quiet mind, we get in touch with our body physically, the parts of the body that are stuck, tight, & tense, or even vacant. These tensions have been built up over time by our reactions & triggers to the stresses around us.
Our mind (also subconscious mind) expresses itself in the form of thoughts, which go deeper into the body as feelings & emotions.
Every emotion becomes a sensation in the body, & influences us physically, energetically & mentally. As humans, we can unconsciously contract our tissues in response to stress & long-held strong emotions, such as anger & grief; we can subconsciously “forget” how to relax & let go, meaning that our tissues can remain in a constant contractive state. Many of these conditions become stored as tension deep in the body, especially within the connective tissue or fascia.
The slow-paced practice also allows for introspection. Within this space, we can really learn to get to know ourselves. It provides an opportunity to practice listening to our outer & inner states. This enhances our sensing abilities & builds our relationship between body/mind connection.
Energetic Dimension of Yin Yoga
Chinese Medicine draws on an energetic understanding of the body. It is based on the belief that the two opposite & complementary energies, Yin & Yang, make up Qi as a whole. These Yin & Yang energies are found in ALL organic living matter within nature & are also reflected within the human body, our personality & emotions. Everything that is a living organism is considered a part of Qi, a combination of yin & yang vibrational energy.
Chinese philosophy believes the meridian system contains our chi or prana. Energetically, Yin yoga’s prolonged passive stresses help enhance this body’s subtle energetic system by indirectly stimulating the Meridian system by stressing into the fascia system.
This refreshes, stimulates, & rebalances the flow of our vital life force within the Meridian pathways. This energy nourishes the body’s vital organs & their related functions due to connection with our internal organ system, known as the Zangfu organs in Chinese Medicine.
Better flowing prana/chi and the release of stagnate Chi cultivates an inner state of peace due to the emotional connection with the physical body; we become more present, less reactive, & more compassionate to ourselves & others.
Spiritual Dimension of Yin Yoga
The more profound work of Yin yoga allows us to start noticing the patterns of similarity we can hold on & off the mat. Not only does this include how we respond to ourselves physically & emotionally, but beginning to recognize what else is happening within our lives. The people we meet who may ‘step” into our lives, what or who causes us to become frustrated, angry, or sad & why—the occupation we may choose, & our relationships & to recognize the connectivity of all our interactions.
Yin yoga encourages personal responsibility. Traditional yoga points out that our physical body creates an illusion of separateness. The ‘I’ or small ‘self’ is mainly concerned with survival, which usually entails getting what it wants in all situations, despite what consequences that might have for us & at times, others. But, by paying attention to, or learning to ‘study’ our ‘self,’ we become more aware of the things we do that harm us & also those which serve us, which can bring us closer to that process of ‘yoking’ or ‘uniting’ with the true Self—The real purpose of all yoga.
Knowing what we’re doing in each moment requires us to pay attention; asking the question, “why am I doing this?” needs us to be aware & fully present. We can begin to see how we are both contributors & receivers of the world around us. As we proceed on this journey, our awareness can deepen toward ownership of our personal contribution to the collective energy.
Like all yoga styles, we must remember that Yin is a tool that requires a level of inner commitment, & self-compassion. The practice provides the space to promote self-awareness & self-inquiry needed to go through this more profound self-development process & move up the yoga steps.
Want to dive deeper into this topic & learn more about Yin yoga.
Want to share your passion for Yoga with others & now feel ready to begin your teaching career? We offer a Yoga Alliance 200-hr Vinyasa & Yin Yoga ‘equally balanced’ Training with three experienced lead teachers in Vinyasa, Yin Yoga & Anatomy. Following Yoga Alliance ethos for both styles with Training & Techniques, Philosophy, Subtle body, Anatomy, Teaching Tools, & practicums. Our 200-hr training is a sure way to begin your teaching journey in complete confidence.
Or maybe your focus is more on all the aspects of Yin Yoga? Including our role as teachers, practice teaching all seven archetypes, & explore the vast creative variations we can incorporate. Different anatomy is also included, where we further explore the Fascia system, particularly in relation to pain, & the Autonomic Nervous system. Also, Spine & Shoulder anatomy & how this affects functional movement, together with diving deeper into Chinese Medicine.
Maybe teaching is not so important for you, but you still wish to learn more about Yin Yoga. This one-week program includes all the fundamentals: philosophy, meridians, principal Chinese Medicine & our well-being. We explore all 7 archetypes, have twice daily practices, & complimentary fascia techniques. Anatomy is also explored: fascia layers, holding patterns, Hip anatomy & effects on movement, functional yoga, & applying this to your body.
Study an accredited Yin Yoga & Chinese Medicine training entirely at your own pace & in the comfort of your home, returning to your study as often as required. This online TTC gently guides you through all the fundamental aspects of the Yin yoga practice, including essential philosophical & physiological aspects, the meridians, how to place the theory into your Yin yoga with full class practices, & reflection on difficult emotions.
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akirayogaLTD 13569397
akirayogaLTD 13569397
Copyright © Akira Yoga 2019. All Rights Reserved.