By Lisa Barkin, Yoga Instructor
In February I blogged about the physical benefits associated with the practice of Yin. While there are many physical benefits that affect the connective tissue of the body there are also meditative benefits, using these times of stillness to quiet the busy mind, as well as several energetic benefits.
There are many different models of the energy body. Yogis in India developed a concept of prana (life force/energy) and nadis (little rivers running through the body) which the prana flows.
In China a more elaborate model of energy was developed. The yogis from China had a concept called Chi. Chi is a universal name for approximately 32 types of energy. The chi flows along channels called meridians. These meridians are not nerves or blood vessels in the body. They are completely different channels or pathways that transport blood and chi. If a scientist were to dissect the body they would not be able to find these meridians. They are subtle in nature not gross.
Yin generally targets between navel and knee. There are 6 Meridian lines that run through the lower body that all begin or end in the toes: the kidney/urinary bladder, liver/gallbladder and the stomach and spleen meridian. In yin yoga we are applying acupressure by compressing tissues along these meridian lines, similar to acupuncture without the needles.
Compression or tension/strecthing, both create little electric currents in the body. The body is crystalline in nature so every time we compress or stretch tissue we are creating a little electric current. An electric current that flows through the water filled connectice tissue that runs alongside the ligaments. These electric currents stimulate cells to become active or tell other cells to stop acting. An example of how this works is in bones. We have two types of cells, one called osteoblasts which build bone and one called osteoclasts which consume bone. If these cells get out of balance we start to lose bone density. When we stress (compress) bones the consuming cells are cued not to consume the bone and the bone material which has been stimulated is left alone. This allows the bone building cells to make bone without it being taken away. This process works in other areas the same way (ligaments, tendons etc…) So in theory, Yin yoga produces electrical activity in the body that can be used to heal and strengthen tissues.
So whether you are looking for a physical, meditative or energetic practice Yin yoga offers it all.
Here is a short home hip practice that stimulates the meridians that run along the same lines of the connective tissue of the hips:
Baddha konasana (butterfly) 2 minutes
Fire log pose (square) 2 minutes right leg on top
Pigeon Upright (swan) 1 minutes right leg back
Sleeping Pigeon folded 2 minutes
(repeat on other side)
Roll down on back
Thread the needle 2 minutes both sides
Happy baby 2 minutes
Savasana 5 minutes
If any pose causes you pain or discomfort in the knees or lower back make sure you exit the shape immediately. It is always important for you to allow your own body to guide you!
Happy Practice
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