Heart to Heart Soul to Soul
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a feminine, hidden, cooling, immovable, downward and profound energy. The Yang energy is masculine, visible, light, moving, upward and superficial. Most yoga forms have a Yang energy. Yin and Yang are inextricably linked and we need both energies to stay in balance. If you look at the well-known Yin-Yang symbol, you will see that the white droplet has a black dot and the black droplet has a white dot. The drops seem to be intertwined in the circle. The black drop represents the yin-chi and refers to darkness, things that are less visible and not on the surface. The white drop represents the Yang, the lighter, visible and somewhat airy side of life. The circular shape in which the drops lie refers to the cycle of life and unity.
Yin Yoga is a silent yoga form, you come into an attitude and the asanas are held for three to five minutes, which can be sitting or lying down. The connective tissue is slowly stretched, hydrated and joints become more flexible. Connective tissue has a different structure than muscles and it is important to treat it differently. Muscles can move quickly, violently and briefly, because they are so mobile (Yang) and they also contain more blood. Connective tissue, on the other hand, is less mobile (Yin) and contains less blood, the structure can be regarded as a kind of matrix, a framework. By stretching the muscles in a gentle way, tensions and stress that are stuck in the muscles are released. In this way you automatically create space in the connective tissue and joints.
The connective tissue system is everywhere in our body, it supports, connects, protects our organs and gives the body structure. Yin Yoga is not only a physical yoga, but also gives you space to turn inward, to see what lives in your head and heart. You have ample opportunity to observe your thoughts and feelings.
Yin yoga can help you trust your own feelings and listen to your body. You can then learn to make a good distinction between pain and real pain, emotional pain, pain due to stress or tension, pain due to illness.
Yin is Energy of the Moon
Yin Yoga stimulates a good flow of prana (life energy) through the meridians (energy lines) in the body and blood flow. Each meridian is present twice in the body, in the form of pairs, Yin-Yang. The yin lines run from below (earth) to above (heaven) along the front and inside of our body. The yang lines run from top (heaven) to bottom (earth) along the back and outside of our body, unless otherwise specified. The central energy line is “sushumna” which is located in the spine. This line is connected to all seven chakras in the spine. The nadi “Ida” on the left side of the body is associated with the lunar energy and on the right the nadi “Pingala” is associated with the energy of the sun.
All the energy channels in the body are connected. The prana that flows through your body through these meridians has a positive effect on the health of your organs, immune system and emotional state.
