Don't Split Up the Yin/Yang Circle!

The yin/yang circle is about opposites complimenting each other.  The small tail of the white fits right into the bulbous end of the black.

Qualities of yin are:
Water
Coldness
Moistness
Dimness
Downward and inward movement
Stillness
Yielding
Slowness

Qualities of yang are:
Fire
Heat
Dryness
Brightness
Upward and outward movement
Activity
Forceful
Rapidity

The body is its own yin/yang circle. What I admire most about the body is its own ability to balance itself. When we are dry signals are sent to the brain to say so and the brain responds by saying, "Drink up. Moisturize yourself."  When we are cold we shiver to bring up add heat to the body. Did you know that when you engage a muscle a signal is sent to your spinal cord saying the muscle is tightening up and pulling on the tendons? The spinal cord immediately sends a signal back to the muscles to relax so, that there is now more stress on the tendons. The body just knows what to do.

When we have too much yang we crave yin. When we have too much yin we crave yang. After being busy with work all week, doing, doing, and doing, we look forward to the weekend to do nothing but take it easy watching movies, reading a book, etc. But if we have been snowed in for a day with nothing to do we got to get out of the house even if it is to go shopping.

Our body craves exercise that fit both descriptions. It always behooves you to stretch slowly before and after hardcore exercise like Zumba or running.

Lo and behold there are two styles of yogas that address the two sides of the yin/yang circle!  Yin and Hatha.  Most yogis are familiar with Hatha. It comes under many names: Hatha, vinyasa, power, slow flow. It's all about being active moving from pose to pose. Muscles are engaged. Heat is generated. Hatha is great for building up strength and stretching the muscles. Yin yoga, however, is about holding a pose in stillness. Muscles are relaxed and connective tissues are stretched instead. The body stays cool. Yin is great for relaxing the mind and keeping your joints supple.

Consider adding in a yin class to your weekly schedule to balance out your Hatha yoga.  Or go to a yoga class that is a combo of both.

Shari offers a yin class Saturday at 10:30am at H2K Fitness Studio (730 Boston Post Road, Sudbury)

Her combo class is every Wednesday at 11:30am at Sohum Yoga and Meditation Studio (30 Lyman Street, Suite 108b, Westborough)

Any questions please email shari@cocoaplumnutrition.com