One might attribute the above described benefits of yoga
practice to a Yang style of yoga. In the Taoist theory, upon
YIN YOGA
which Yin Yoga is based, one energy splits into two opposing
and complementary energies. The Yang practice, moving and
by Debbie Stevens, RYT 500
active, works on muscles and bones while generally heating
the body. The opposite, Yin Yoga, is a way of practicing poses
“The ultimate mental Yin attitude of mind is to wait without
in stillness, holding for 3-5 minutes, which results in a cool-
anxiety,” says Paul Grilley, founder of Yin Yoga, a style of
ing and calming effect on the mind and body. Connective
yoga that allows the mind to calm down and to still the flow-
tissues or fascia around the joints, especially hips, knees and
ing waters of thought. Yin Yoga, which takes the practitioner
ankles (the lower part of the body being the Yin half) are af-
back to meditation, the root of yoga, invites him or her to
fected by this practice, becoming blood and energy enriched,
find the calmness of mind that allows for waiting without
thereby lubricating joints, helping them to stay more youth-
being anxious.
ful, vibrant and mobile.
In Yin Yoga there is an abundance of time while holding
A potentially more important aspect of yoga is the effect
Yin poses, also known as asanas. Time to practice waiting for
on the mind. The intention of yoga, whether a Yang or Yin
physical sensations, for blood and energy to move, for our
style, is to unite the body and the mind with conscious breath-
comfortable edge to reveal itself, and time to come out of the
ing. With the movement and shorter holding of asanas in Yang
pose feeling complete and whole. In this style of yoga, the
style yoga, the mind may more easily be engaged in what the
anxious mind, that clings to the past or fears the future, gives
body is doing. For instance, the mind may be paying atten-
way to the present, which is without worry.
tion to details of alignment of body parts in an Iyengar style
Yoga is physical exercise, intended to strengthen mus-
yoga, or as in Ashtanga Yoga, the mind may be listening to the
cles while putting positive stress on bones and joints. This
sound of the breath. Yoga trains the mind to let go of its usual
physical exercise, or the practice of asanas, also stretches
patterns. While holding a Yin yoga posture the mind is invited
and relaxes muscles, releasing physical tension in the body.
into the present moment, to heed what is happening in the
Asana practice also benefits posture and the body’s align-
present, the gift of a calm and peaceful place.
ment, thereby allowing internal organs to rest in the intended
place in the body, resulting in more efficient functioning of
Debbie Stevens is a registered yoga teacher at The Yoga Cen-
systems, such as respiratory and digestive systems. Balance is
ter located at 3107-C Franklin Rd. SW. in Roanoke, Virginia.
improved with the physical asana practice.
Debbie may be reached by calling 540-345-4090.
YOGA COMMUNITY
Cultivate Awareness.
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yoga
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One and two student
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540-992-2212
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540-521-0313
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Convenient to SW Roanoke &
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Roanoke, VA 2415
Botetourt County locations.”
540-309-0071
lovelylisa131@aol.com
www.braikidoyoga.com
l 112-B Kirk Ave l Roanoke VA
jill@UttaraYogaStudio.com l
UttaraYogaStudio.com
July 2009
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