Stressed? 5 Reasons Yin Yoga Is Just What You Need
by Sharee James
Ancient Chinese philosophy teaches us that all of nature is made up of two opposing but harmonious principles: yin and yang. Yang is the principle of masculinity and symbolizes qualities such as movement, fire and activity. To balance yang, we have yin: the feminine principle of stillness, water and passivity.
All things in life, including yoga or other forms of exercise, can be classed as yin or yang according to their basic qualities. There are styles of yoga (Bikram or Ashtanga for example) that are more yang-like, with their emphasis on strength and heat-building, dynamic poses. Yin yoga however, is totally different, with an emphasis on longer-held poses primarily done on the floor and the cultivation of mindfulness and surrender. I have experienced yin yoga to be a truly life-changing practice, here are 5 reasons to give it a go:
1. It will enable you to deal with the stresses of everyday life.
Western culture places a lot of value on yang-like qualities such as productivity, working hard and achieving external success. This can certainly assist us in realizing our goals and desires - however, when out of balance it can cause stress, exhaustion, anxiety and depression. We must remember to balance this with yin qualities also, such as taking time to slow down, relax and appreciate the present moment. A regular yin yoga practice is an excellent way to achieve this balance.
2. It will dissolve physical stress and tension.
If you have ever spent too long at your desk and felt pain and stiffness in your neck and back afterwards, then you know what physical tension is! We often think these kinks arise in our muscles, but really, they form in the connective tissue or fascia. One of the number one boons of yin yoga is that it works specifically on the fascia and the long duration of the postures enable a deep release of any contractions in the fascia and a feeling of looseness and spaciousness in the body.
3. It will cure your addiction to "doing".
In yin yoga, the poses are held for quite a long time, from between 3 - 8 minutes. This allows you to rest deeply in the pose, and to observe the breath in a very mindful way. While it may feel difficult at first, over time you will be able to simply surrender and just "be", and your body and mind will be able to slow down and find a sense of inner peace. It is a good preparation for meditation and mindfulness practice as well.
4. It will balance other exercise programs.
Most forms of exercise such as swimming, walking, jogging and gym work-outs can be considered yang in nature due to their focus on dynamism, strength and endurance. While necessary for health and fitness, they may also lead to joint damage, injury and tightness in certain areas. Yin yoga release these tight areas and further reduce the risk of injury by improving both flexibility and your natural awareness of your body and it's limitations.
5. It will benefit your life "off the mat" as well.
Perhaps the most powerful benefits of yin yoga is the way it will slowly change your attitude to your life in general. You will develop qualities of patience, acceptance and compassion towards your body within the poses, and these same qualities will show up in your daily life as well. From becoming more tolerant to people who ordinarily frustrate you to taking better care of yourself and being able to live more in the moment, yin yoga will slowly change your life from the inside out.
Sharee James is a qualified naturopath and a yoga and meditation teacher. Try her short introductory <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE1w__FdZlQ">yin yoga class</a> and experience the benefits of yin yoga for yourself!
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New Unique Article!
Title: Stressed? 5 Reasons Yin Yoga Is Just What You Need
Author: Sharee James
Email: adsites@uberarticles.com
Keywords: yin yoga, stress, meditation,yoga, stress management, mindfulness, wellness,health, personal growth
Word Count: 595
Category: Meditation
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