YIN YOGA

At its core, Yoga is a spiritual path, not simply an exercise regimen.

Patanjali defined Yoga as chitta vritti nirodhah - the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind. So how exactly do we calm the crashing waves and ripples of our internal mental chatter? Traditionally, this state of unperturbed bliss that is free from attachments, aversions, and completely open and receptive to all that is, can by achieved through a regular meditation practice. The Yogic concept of blissful union, oneness, and transcendence is also found in the Buddhist concept Dzogchen (the great perfection) and the Taoist concept of Tao (the way).

In the West, the word Yoga has become interchangeable with the word asana, which refers to a physical practice of postures held for various amount of time, but Yoga and asana are two distinct concepts. The ultimate goal of asana isn’t to lose weight, build muscle, enhance flexibility, or “feel good.”

The purpose of asana is to prepare the energetic and physical body for meditation practice so one may achieve the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.

Some might wonder if this really makes Yin Yoga really Yoga at all. With this, I say that technically, no, Yin Yoga isn’t Yoga. Rather, Yin Yoga is a physical, postural practice that is engaged in for various mental, emotional, physical, and energetic benefits. However, Yin Yoga can engaged with as an asset to one’s meditation practice that is indeed on the Yogic path.

People who try to start a meditation practice without first balancing their energy body through movement practices and exercises typically experience meditation as physically unbearable, excruciatingly boring, and mentally agonizing.

Energy can easily become imbalanced throughout various areas of the body because of stagnation due to lack of circulation, or excess of energy due to hyper-focus, hyperactivity, and over-stimulation. Having an asana practice helps balance energy throughout the energetic and physical body by using awareness, movement, and the breath to enhance circulation, open and release blockages, strengthen weak areas, and calm overactive areas.