GETTING UNDER THE YINFLUENCE

Yin Yoga is a slow, mindful yoga that nourishes our deep connective tissues including the fascia, ligaments and tendons. Yin reaches deep into the body and offers relief to hidden places of tension and restricted movement. Cool, wet, and soft in nature, Yin tissues can restrict our movement and result in chronic pain and limited flexibility if they become hot, dry, and brittle. This is not uncommonly related to aging and menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and joint pain, recognized as yin deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Yang on the other hand, represents the fast and fiery aspect of our lives. Think of the sun (yang) and the moon (yin). An imbalance of Yang can bring mood changes, insomnia, and volatile emotions like anger and frustration. The stresses and challenges of today’s world are more chronically yang in nature, and it is easy to find ourselves feeling depleted and exhausted. We need Yang energy, but when the stress response is chronic and constant, the wear and tear on our bodies and minds can become detrimental.

The Taijitu symbol shows a balance between the two opposites of Yin and Yang. In this cyclical depiction, each organ system in the body is paired (yin and yang) and thus can be brought into balance physically, energetically, and emotionally. As we cultivate a Yin practice, we invite harmony, resilience, and self-care into our daily lives, while a focus on one element in particular will yield benefits for that particular system and its related attributes.

In Yin Yoga, postures are held for two or more minutes, as we breathe and surrender effortlessly downwards. Research into the effects of long held, static stretches on fascia includes the immune system response of reducing inflammation. A researcher at Harvard Medical School, Helen Langevin, found that a whole body stretch, held for 10 minutes twice a day, notably reduces inflammation. Left unchecked, inflammation can contribute to chronic diseases such as heart disease, blood vessel disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, Alzheimer's and other conditions. A Yin Yoga practice helps us to restore balance and boost immunity.

But that’s not all Yin offers. As we move with the breath and with mindful awareness we develop a deeper sense of interoception – our capacity to identify, access and respond to the internal patterns and signals of the body, which in turn provides us with the distinct advantage of self-regulation. We become more aware of our ability to self-manage our autonomic nervous system. We become calmer, more resilient and begin to function more frequently from a place of Rest and Digest rather than Fight, Flight, or Freeze. Emotions relax and we gain more equilibrium. Our mind is able to settle and we connect with a deeper sense of inner peace. We sleep better. Cognition improves. Heart rate and blood pressures level. We learn to respond rather than react to the stresses of daily life, and allow time for our bodies and minds to move into the zone of restoration and rejuvenation. Yin Yoga offers an opportunity to soothe and nurture ourselves when the demands of the outside world can feel overwhelming.

November’s Yin Yoga series will focus on the element of Metal. In the body, Metal manifests as the organs and meridians of the Lungs and Large Intestines. From being our first line of defence in protecting us from colds and flus, to governing our ability to grieve and process loss, the Lungs serve a multitude of functions to keep us in healthy balance. The Large Intestine rules elimination, and supports us energetically in letting go of those things that no longer serve us, particularly helpful in releasing feelings of unworthiness and self blame.

I invite you to join me in this exploration of release, relaxation and rejuvenation with breath, asana, and guided meditation. https://www.dalepearsonyoga.com/bookings-checkout/yin-yoga-november-2020