Hatha: The Yin in the Yang
Length: 30:18 and 31:06
Yin and Yang are comparative terms. We can’t really have one without the other. I’ve talked in the past about how the two categories are distinct from one another (cold versus warm, earth versus sky, light versus dark). Another important part of the relationship between Yin and Yang, though, is how they each contain a small dose of their opposite.
If you look at a Yin/Yang symbol, both sides are dominated by a shade, black on one side and white on the other. Within each, though, is a small circle of the opposing shade. These circles are in part a reminder that all Yin contains a little Yang and vice versa; light creates a shadow and shadows depend on light.
I’ve been thinking about this relationship for a few weeks now because, back in March, Jordan’s parents came for a visit and while they were here, his dad updated us on his Yoga practice. He maintains a regular Hatha practice that, among other things, really helps balance out his body pre- and post-golf game. He told us that in moments where he is really pushing he tries to remind himself to think about Yin and ease slowly into poses. It’s something I think we can easily forget in active classes. A yoga posture is often taught as if there is a specific look or shape that it should have. To some degree, this is true. There is a general shape we are aiming for and alignment cues often help us get there. At the same time, this approach can make us focus on a pose like a goal we are trying to achieve, a box we are trying to check off. Instead, I like to think about each posture as a bit of research. What is my body feeling today? What is it able to do? What is it telling me? When we treat postures like goals, we can sometimes blow past some of the information our bodies are giving us. Taking this approach can push us past our own unique version of a pose in the quest to make our bodies make a specific shape.
Finding the Yin in a Yang practice is partly about approaching a posture slowly, giving the body the time it needs to find depth and allowing your body to stop when it’s ready to stop. It’s something I really value in a Yang practice and is one reason I’m so excited to share Michelle’s classes with you this week. Michelle taught two shorter classes this week, one that is all on the back (which you will need a strap or towel for), and one that involves some work into the hips but skips all the flows or vinyasas. They are both nice, chill classes that will allow you the time to find some Yin in your Yang.
As I mentioned, you will want a strap but you’ll likely want a block as well and perhaps a towel or cushion for the hip class.
For music this week, I’m going to recommend Prisma Tropical by Balún. I’ve been looking for albums that put me in that Spring state of mind, and this one helped me get there.
I hope you enjoy this week’s classes. We will be back next Monday. In the meantime, have a great week!
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To practice the strap class, click here or on the image below.
To practice the hip class, click here or on the image below.
