what is yin yoga? why practice it?/ ¿Qué es el yin yoga? ¿Por qué deberías practicarlo?
(español abajo)
The Yin – Yang concept is perhaps the most known, documented and used within Taoism, two halves that together complete wholeness. The word Yin translates as “shady” or “soft” and Yang as “sunny” or “strong”. This concept is equivalent to the Ha-Tha = “Ha” = Sun / “Tha” =moon, the origin of Hatha Yoga, in other words the pursuit of wholeness or union which is Yoga.
In a world that is dynamic, active, full of motion, always moving forward, we sometimes lack the time and space to be still, quiet, process and simply “be & feel”. This is crucial for finding balance in the body and mind.
The main difference between Yin & the more dynamic “yang” styles of yoga (vinyasa, ashtanga, bikram, etc.) is that poses are held from 3-5 minutes and muscles are relaxed to act in connective tissue (ligaments, tendons & fascia). Rarely do we reach these tissues through our habitual physical activities, this is why Yin is so beneficial for joint health, to remove stagnation, improve flexibility from deep inside.
In the inner levels (mind and beyond) by holding a pose in stillness, we cultivate presence, deep body awareness, focus on the breath and the sensations. Being still allows us to activate the parasympathetic nervous system that balances the daily stress we cope with and therefore, we can lower the levels of cortisol that keep our bodies in a constant state of alert and “fight of flight” that suppress basic body functions such as a healthy digestion, immune system activation and overall body regeneration.
Yin yoga can complement an already active lifestyle or really help those who feel distracted by “mind chatter”.“ It is practiced sitting or lying on the floor. There are no planks, no warriors, no core work. No dynamic sun salutations, no standing poses. The pace is slow, so you need to wear comfortable, warm clothes and maybe keep your socks on. It is suitable for ALL levels of practitioners.
Looking forward to sharing this special practice with you.
Namasté,
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(español)