Find Your Inner Zen with Candlelight Yin

Find Your Inner Zen with Candlelight Yin

By Melita Mollohan

Opposing forces in Taoist thought, the terms yin and yang can describe any phenomenon. Yin is the stable, unmoving, feminine, hidden aspect of things; yang is the changing, moving, masculine, revealing aspect.

Most forms of Hatha Yoga, such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa, or Power Yoga practiced today emphasize muscular movement and contraction (yang).

Instead of the rhythmic contraction and release that best stretches muscle, yin yoga works to stretch connective tissue using a slow, gentle stretch. This allows the overlying muscles in the area being worked on to fully relax.

The yin practice generally focuses on the connective tissue of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine. Postures are held anywhere from three to ten minutes at a time. An ideal practice as preparation for meditation, yin postures are accessible to all levels of practitioners.

Take your yoga practice on an inward journey, quieting the body and mind to encourage expansion at every level of your being! Delve into this deeply healing practice that is Yin Yoga opening the physical body to foster fluidity of movement and ease.On a physical level we create space in the joints and connective tissue by learning to relax muscles while engaging very basic long held yoga poses. On an energetic level these poses pressurize the body’s organ meridians to cleanse and purify, facilitating the flow of Chi, our vital life force. On an emotional level we practice letting go and connecting to our heart center coming into stillness to find peace within.

Enjoy this class to only the flickering lights of candles that allows you to find full relaxation for a good night’s sleep, as well as, rejuvenation that will continue through the entire week! As you practice Yin Yoga more & more you will notice that your regular yang yoga practice going up by leaps and bounds!