Monday 15 June 2015

How to create balance, part 1

Understanding yin & yang

According to Chinese medicine everything consists of the opposite energies; yin and yang. Even though the two principles are each other's opposite, one can not exist without the other. For example night (yin) and day (yang) need each other to exist. The energies of life are in constant change and exist in everything around us as well as within ourselves.

The symbol of yin & yang is half dark (yin) and half light (yang), the two polarities making each other whole. The symbol having a white dot in the black area and vice versa also states that there's always a little yin in yang and a little yang in yin, each being born into the opposite quality.



Yang is the solar energy (doing)

Yang yoga is a dynamic practice to strengthen and stretch the muscular tissue. Creating heat through movement. Examples of yang yoga are vinyasa flow, ashtanga and power yoga. Other physical activities such as running, swimming, cardio etc. are also considered yang. 

Yin is the lunar energy (being)

Yin yoga is a slow paced and quiet practice. By staying muscularly passive for longer periods of time targeting the fascia/connective tissue in the body. We also practice present moment awareness, mindfulness and reflection. Yin yoga is a complement to your yang practice (which can be yoga or other physical activity).

Coming up: what balance and imbalance mean and how to regain balance

No comments:

Post a Comment