Yin Yoga gentle recharging of life force

Yin yoga is a deeply restorative modality of yoga where passive postures are held between 3 and 5 minutes. However, beginners might hold the postures for a few breaths only  before getting used to longer holds. I have been spending between 10 and 30 slow breaths in the postures and feel the benefits almost immediately.

Anyone, from  any age and ability can experience the benefits of yin yoga, which has been likened to an acupuncture session without needles. If the flexibility of the student does not allow for full postures,  modifications can be easily offered by a competent teacher. Forcing the body into shapes is not advisable as this might put extreme pressure in joints such as hips and knees. I.e. pigeon posture might feel quite uncomfortable for someone who has knees issues or have undergone hip surgery.

So what are the Benefits?

The theory is that holding the postures stimulates the nadis , or the meridians  in Chinese medicine. When these channels are gently pressed for some time they ease tension and blockages. The result at a physical level are greater flexibility, improved circulation inthe joints and tissues around it. At a psychological level a greater ability to investigate and cope with uncomfortable emotions. When one holds a posture in stillness  for more than a few seconds, negative thoughts and emotions might surface on the fabric of the mind. By learning to stay in the posture/present and not  to react to the thought, yin yoga serves as a meditation session where one learns to observe the activity of the mind without getting involved in it.

The residence of Yin and Yang

The kidney-bladder organ-meridian pair, "the mansion of fire and water,  the chanel of life and death" have been my favorite recently and I include below a few postures that work in this chanel. Most students will need modifications and props  to be comfortable in these postures. Any sensation of discomfort or pain means that more harm than benefit will be the result of the session, so always be careful and ask a qualified teacher to guide you through the practice.

Supta virasana,Upavistakonasana, Balasana, Janu sirsasana,Paschimotanasana. See them  at http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_categories

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Whitley Bay beach, Newcastle

What the word yoga means to you? I like the idea of the symbolic sun rising within from lower to higher centres of consciousness.   Ceasing the fluctuations of the mind to find the centre of stillness deep within.  The journey back home.

Hatha Yoga for all abilities in Whitley Bay | YogaNearby

Hatha Yoga for all abilities | YogaNearby

Asanas - the anteroom of Yoga

Most of us turn to yoga looking for fitness, better sleep, weight loss, stress management, relief from back pain, etc. What we might not realise is that there are  many other benefits that the practice will invariably bring. Better health is just a byproduct. Yoga promotes the development of awareness and awakening of higher states of consciousness.  It integrates mind, body and emotions helping individuals to become more whole, integrated and fulfilled.

Being able to get yourself into pretzel shapes is not what yoga is all about. That's preparatory, benefitial  but not  the core of yoga. The practice of asana (postures) can be considered the anteroom of yoga.

Originally, yoga was devised as an instrument to help raising consciousness and liberating individualsfrom illusion and suffering.  The objective of the posture work was to free the body from toxins and to prepare it for seating for extended periods in meditation without discomfort.


Breathing techniques (pranayama) were also designed to help getting  the mind into a state of calm and stillness. In this state the individual could get a glimpse into the soul, beyond the veil of illusion.That's was the real yoga, the royal yoga, the royal path.  The system was devised 1,500 years ago by a sage called Patanjali. It was an almost a secret science.

Whatever the stage we are in our practice, it is certain that sooner or later the practice will work its magic. Practice, discipline, consistency will open the door to  the real yoga, the yoga of the mind, of the heart, of the spirit, and integration will inevitably occur. The  reassuring thing is that in our era there are no chosen few, yoga is inclusive, all dependent on your own efforts.

Some Kiss We Want

There is some kiss we want with
our whole lives, the touch of
spirit on the body.

Seawater
begs the pearl to break its shell.
And the lily, how passionately
it needs some wild darling!

At night, I open the window and ask
the moon to come and press its
face against mine.
Breathe into me.

Close the language-door and
open the love window.
The moon
won't use the door, only the window.

--Rumi. Translator: Coleman Barks

"We are set free if we set others free, for it is only by example we can teach"

Dr Edward Bach, 1932

Lendrick Lodge weekend retreat

The journey of a  yogini is one of constant learning and to learn is to be forever young . Some say that the secret of youth resides on a healthy spine but I also think that an inquiring mind and a light heart that is connected to the highest purpose is essential. 

This weekend has been a great learning experience for me. I have met a group of fantastic people with the most diverse life experiences, ages and backgrounds. And our differences disappeared as we all bathed together in the light of yoga during the weekend.  The atmosphere was one of openess, trust and camaraderie. I reckon that this was largely created by our willingness to make the weekend special. We were all so willing to meet , learn, exchange, relax and enjoy.

My little  personal experiment for the weekend  was trying to be as open as I could , having  no expectation and going  with the flow. I tried hard to 'simply be'. By relaxing my grip and working 'with the flow'  and against the grain of my deeply seated habits and comfort zone as much as I could  I felt 'strangely'  inner reassured , connected and genuinely content and grateful for no special reason.

Om shanti!