![]() The UB Meridian begins at the inside of our eyes. It continues up along either side of our spine, connecting internally with our bladder and kidneys, to our throat ending at the root of our tongue. It travels through the sole, the arch, and up the inside of the knees and thighs and enters our torso near the tailbone. The Kidney Meridian begins in the little toe of each foot. Though these organs have completely different anatomical functions, their energetic and emotional qualities are intimately intertwined. In this practice, Roe will guide you through yin postures that stimulates the Kidney Meridian and its pair, the Urinary Bladder Meridian. It is spoken of with reverence because it is the basis of life and when gone awry, the basis of disease.”Įach Meridian has a Yin and complementary Yang pair. It is the cohesion of the bodymindspirit and the integration of the myriad aspects of each individual human being. “It is only by Qi that the planets move, the sun shines, the wind blows, the elements exist, and human beings live and breathe. A regular yin practice is a significant way of stimulating our qi and amplifying our healthy flow of energy. In TCM, disease and illness are often attributed to a deficient or stagnant qi in the body. ![]() The strength and healthy flow of qi through the meridian system is essential to our overall sense of harmony and balance. The meridian system creates a comprehensive network of rivers of energy that interconnects the tissues and organs of the human body. But what exactly is a Meridian and why should I care about stimulating them? The Meridian System and Yin YogaĪccording to the ancient system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), meridians are invisible pathways through which our inherent energy flows. (After all, the more your bones are supported, the more your muscles can release.) Blocks can be used under your knees in a forward fold, for instance, while a bolster or rolled-up blanket can be placed under your seat during butterfly to ease tight hips.If you’ve ever taken a Yin class with Roe, you know that she often draws inspiration from certain aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including the Meridian System. Another good rule of thumb for deep breathing in a restorative yoga flow is to make your exhales twice as long as your inhales.Īnother tip: Yin yoga is also a great place to make use of props for added support or lengthening. In yin, you’ll breathe from your diaphragm-with every inhale, feel your belly and ribs expand and with every exhale, pull your navel into your spine. However, you should never stretch to the point of pain.īreath is an important component of yin yoga, too, because it gives you something to focus on in the more difficult and uncomfortable postures. You want to push yourself to a point where you feel a deep sensation (known in yogi terms as “comfortable discomfort”) that helps stretch your fascia and ligaments. Avoid fidgeting or moving around as best as you can in order to release fully into the posture. While you’re in each pose, work to find stillness. Think: butterfly pose, seated forward fold, or frog pose. As for the poses themselves, many yin yoga postures are seated or reclined poses, since they require your muscles to be fully relaxed. ![]() The key is holding each pose for an extended length of time, typically for two to five minutes (or even longer!). A yin practitioner is trying to access the deeper tissues, and many of the postures focus on areas that encompass a joint (such as the hips, sacrum, and spine, to name a few).īecause yin yoga is practiced in a non-heated room, it’s easy to do anywhere, anytime. Here, the goal isn’t to move through postures freely-postures could be held for three to five minutes, or even 20 minutes at a time. By holding the various poses, a yin yoga sequence can help restore the healthy flow of Qi in our bodies. "A yin yoga sequence has a very similar effect on our energies as an acupuncture treatment," yin yoga instructor Stefanie Arend previously tells mbg. By stretching and deepening into poses, we’re opening up any blockages and releasing that energy to flow freely. The practice of yin yoga is based on ancient Chinese philosophies and Taoist principles which believe there are pathways of Qi (energy) that run through our bodies. Because you’re holding poses for a longer period of time than you would in other traditional types of yoga, yin yoga helps you stretch and lengthen those rarely-used tissues while also teaching you how to breathe through discomfort and sit with your thoughts. It’s slower and more meditative, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. While “yang” yoga focuses on your muscles, yin yoga targets your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |