Tree branches are sturdy, strong, and able to bend amid strong winds when nourished and healthy, yet become brittle and easily broken when not. As we spend more time outdoors and add more social engagements to longer days, we can take our cues from trees. The energy of springĪccording to Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is governed by the wood element. We are slowly moving out of winter, which represents tamas, a quality of inertia, inactivity, or lethargy, and into a warmer rajasic state, epitomized by the qualities of passion and activity. I look to the flora around me as a reminder that as buds take their time to bloom, so do we during transition seasons. Although just because it’s no longer winter, it doesn’t mean we’re ready for summer quite yet. Warmer days, seasonal blooms, and allergies are telltale signs that a new season has arrived. ![]() Learn more about A Journey Into Yin Yoga.Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! So how long do you hold? The magic window of time for holding a yin pose is usually three to five minutes. The more patience you have, the less stressed and anxious you will be. Developing patience is an added bonus of your yin yoga practice. The deeper you heal, the better you will feel. The strength of yin yoga comes from this flow of time. The point is to spend a substantial amount of time in each pose in a deep, concentrated way. You may not execute nearly as many poses as in a flow class, but that's not the point. Yin yoga is not about quantity it's about quality. If you need to, make a mental note to set up a mani-pedi appointment, and then come back to yin practice. You wouldn't believe the number of people I've seen in a yin pose become enamored with their nails. This could arise as an itch, a desire to adjust clothing, or the temptation to pick at our fingernails. If we are in a pose and experience discomfort, many of us try to distract ourselves from what we are feeling. Frequently, our movements are unconscious and reactive. It just means that if you need to move, do it mindfully. Finding stillness doesn't mean that you can't fine-tune and adjust your position. Once you find your edge and settle into the sweet spot in the pose, strive for stillness. During the posture, aim for positive discomfort and not bad pain. If anatomy, rather than tissue tightness, is the limitation then your range of motion has been fully expressed. Depending on the situation, the wall could indicate tissue tightness or it could indicate anatomical limitations. Imagine yourself gently leaning into that wall. ![]() Trying to force and push through this wall isn't yin it is yang. This is a wall of resistance that keeps you from proceeding farther. When you enter into a posture, you first look for your edge. Anytime you work with these three guidelines, you know that you are working within the realm of yin. No matter what yin pose you do, the following three laws will always be present. ![]() Because the connective tissue is found in nearly every structure of the body, this is a boon for your overall health and performance capabilities. This method then triggers a set of events that makes the connective tissues stronger, longer, and more durable. This leads to a stronger, more durable, and supple body. Practitioners of yin yoga typically hold a relaxed posture for three to five minutes, which exerts a positive stress on the connective tissues as a way to trigger the body's natural repair response. So, what makes a yin yoga pose? Instead of a fast, dynamic movement, the connective tissues respond to a slow, sustained hold. The connective tissues however, are characterized by yin and need to be exercised in a yin manner. This example describes a yang style of exercise to address the yang nature of the muscles. The natural Tao of the body knows how to adapt. Then the next time you do the exercise after the muscle has recovered, the movement will be more efficient and the weight easier to curl. After rest, the body will repair and rebuild the muscle, assuming you give it proper nutrition. This exercise will break down the muscle tissue. If you want to strengthen a muscle such as a biceps, then you stress it by doing repetitive, strong, and explosive movements.For example, pick an appropriate weight and do 8 to 12 biceps curls. The way that we exercise muscle is different from the way that we exercise connective tissue. This is an excerpt from Journey Into Yin Yoga, A by Travis Eliot.
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