Yin is for You

Have you tried Yin Yoga yet? If you are looking to reduce stress and balance your energy, while also improving your physical flexibility and self-healing power, you should definitely give it a try!

Yin Yoga is becoming extremely popular as an effective and therapeutic healing modality because it alleviates chronic pain and stiffness. It is a perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular (yang) styles of yoga that emphasize internal heat, and the lengthening and contracting of our muscles.

Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. Longer holds allow for the deeper release of tension. This is by no means a passive practice and can be a bit challenging to a hurried, western perspective on life. Time and patience is required to relax the deeper tissues beneath the musculature, releasing chronic holding patterns and habitual memory in the joints, tendons and fascia. The combination of lengthening the asanas with the contemplative aspect of the essential quieting of the mind in these longer poses is a dynamic catalyst for healing and lasting change in the body.

The fascia is like a road map or matrix of cartilaginous tissues that hold the body together. There is still great mystery around the fascia. It is believed that the fascial system holds the records of all our experience in the physical and mental spheres, and as part and parcel of the way we connect to our world physically, relationally and mentally, the fascia can retain our most profound emotional pain and memory.

The fascia plays an important role in the support and function of our bodies, since it surrounds and attaches to all structures. In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When one

experiences physical trauma, emotioal trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted, and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Trauma, such as a fall, car accident, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries can have cumulative effects on the body. The changes trauma causes in the fascial system influence the comfort and function of our bodies. Fascial restrictions can exert excessive pressure causing all kinds of symptoms producing pain, headaches or restriction of motion. These restrictions can affect our flexibility and stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and perform daily activities.

Yin yoga is based on the Taoist concept of the balance between yin and yang, opposite and complementary principles in nature. Yin is the stable, unmoving, hidden aspect of things; yang is the changing, moving, revealing aspect. Yin postures may be held anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes. It is a practice that is primarily focused in the hips, pelvis and legs. All conditions in the physical body arise from the first chakra, Muladhara, and the pelvic girdle. The root chakra is the foundation from which we climb the ladder of the Chakras. The issues relative to this first, light-bearing energy center have to do with stability, home, family, security, community and feeling safe on the earth. In our Yin practice we meet and greet the quality of these crucial concepts physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually - drawing us back together into an integrated and balanced Whole. Yin is such a rewarding practice to facilitate. There is a renewed glow in the faces of my students after class. They mention how relaxed they feel. And they return to the Yin practice again and again because it heals.

A consistent Yin practice improves flexibility, relieves stiffness and calms the central nervous system. It is a perfect way to rehabilitate oneself from hip and knee surgeries, injuries, trauma and the day-to-day stressors of life distracted by technology.

There is nothing to accomplish, just put on your comfortable clothes and join us on the mat!

Lin Weiss is a Holistic Practitioner, Educator, Writer, Mind/Body and Yoga Therapist practicing in Houston, TX. She specializes in Chakra Balancing; Homeopathy; Nutrition Therapy; Life Enhancement; and Hatha Yoga & YIN Yoga Classes at The Good Space. Lin facilitates Conscious Curriculums educating individuals and groups in the healing power of the Mind/Body Connection. 713.858.8595 conscioushealingnow.com

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