5 elements of yin ytt yoga
A yin yoga practice decompresses the joints and gives a fluid, flexible feel to the connective tissue (mainly in the legs, pelvis, sacrum and spine). It also helps to stimulate meridians and organs through slowness and passive stretching of the deeper layers of fascia. As a result it can release stagnation and congestion in the energetic body that may have been held as emotional or mental blockage.
The Yin YTT for meridians are the pathways through which energy flows throughout our body. They are also known as ‘channels’ in TCM. Meridians are believed to connect the body’s organs and tissues, influencing physical and emotional states. A free flow of Qi is necessary for a healthy body. However, if Qi is blocked by the elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal, it can cause disease and imbalance. When the meridians are in balance, they allow free movement of the five Yin/Yang energies that govern the seasons and the human body.
Meridians are linked to the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine, representing a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. When the meridians are balanced, the corresponding emotions are harmonised and our life experiences can be embraced with joy. When imbalanced, the emotions can be overstimulated and create a negative impact on our bodies and minds.
What are the 5 elements of yin ytt yoga?
Yin yoga stretches the soft connective tissue in the hips, groins and knees, stimulating the liver and gallbladder. Poses that stretch the front line of the body like shoelace with Eagle arms or reclining butterfly are particularly beneficial to this meridian. A yin yoga practice for this element can include breath awareness to activate the sympathetic nervous system that stimulates action, or deep abdominal breathing that activates para-sympathetic to relax and rebalance.
Represented by the kidneys and urinary bladder, this meridian carries the essence of our true self. In yin yoga, this is understood as our inner power or Jing. When balanced, this energy enables compassion and sympathy, while at the other extreme it can manifest as jealousy or envy. A yin yoga practice for this meridian would focus on vitality support promoting an uninterrupted flow of blood and Qi through the kidneys and kidney artery, alongside front and back bends that lengthen the inner leg line.
Yin yoga poses that stretch across the chest and shoulders like Shoelace with Eagle arms or reclining Butterfly are particularly beneficial for this meridian. Including breath awareness or Pranayama into a yin yoga practice for this element can encourage the opening of the heart and release suppressed emotion. When imbalanced, this energy can become obsessive thinking and worry. When balanced, it can bring clarity of mind and the ability to see things as they really are.