How to create balance, part 3

Focusing on the opposite energy

To focus on the opposite energy means that on a rainy, dark or cold day, yin is in the air and we need to find a way to bring some yang quality into our lives. On a hot, summer day when yang is dominating  we need to find ways to introduce some yin energy to find balance.

If you're feeling stressed, pause for a minute, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. By calming the breath, we also calm the mind. If your day is very yang (fast paced, active and all over the place)a yin practice would be your yoga of the day to calm the nervous system and nourish yourself from within.

If you're lacking energy, feeling tired or your day is more passive, a yang practice, or getting the body moving with any other physical activitywould be uplifting both for the body and mind. 

However, focusing on the opposite does not mean to push yourself to do the opposite of what you naturally feel more drawn to, but rather to reflect over what you need. By beginning to pay more attention inwards and by learning to identify the yin and yang energies, you have the ability to make more conscious choices. 

In balance poses it's all about finding balance over and over again, that applies to creating inner balance as well. What does your body need today? Maybe you really do need to rest if you're tired. Maybe doing something more active when stressed is necessary to be able to calm a restless body or mind. Or is in fact the answer the opposite? What does your mind need? And what is the heart longing for? By reflecting over these questions you can develop a deeper understanding for what you need to feel balanced and most importantly how you can create that for yourself. 

How to create balance, part 2

Previos blogpost: Understanding yin & yang

Understanding balance and imbalance

The yin and yang energies are in a constant flow, never static. A healthy flow and shift of yin and yang create health and balance between body, mind and heart, while imbalance may result in illness and disease. There are two different types imbalance, excess of yang and excess of yin:

• Excess of yang energy
  This type of imbalance may result in restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety, aggressiveness and frustration and/or feeling burnt out. The energy of constantly needing to move and do creates makes it harder to relax and wind down

• Excess of yin energy;
  Examples of this type of imbalance are feeling tired, weak, lacking self esteem and confidence, feeling hopeless, overthinking and depression. 

The topic of yin and yang is very subtle, so don't worry if it seems confusing. By becoming more aware of the internal energies step by step we can begin to understand how the energies affect us, giving us tools to handle the constant change of life without losing ourselves in it.  

Coming up: How to regain balance

How to create balance, part 1

Understanding yin & yang

According to Chinese medicine everything consists of the opposite energies; yin and yang. Even though the two principles are each other's opposite, one can not exist without the other. For example night (yin) and day (yang) need each other to exist. The energies of life are in constant change and exist in everything around us as well as within ourselves.

The symbol of yin & yang is half dark (yin) and half light (yang), the two polarities making each other whole. The symbol having a white dot in the black area and vice versa also states that there's always a little yin in yang and a little yang in yin, each being born into the opposite quality.

Yangis the solar energy (doing)

Yang yoga is a dynamic practice to strengthen and stretch the muscular tissue. Creating heat through movement. Examples of yang yoga are vinyasa flow, ashtanga and power yoga. Other physical activities such as running, swimming, cardio etc. are also considered yang. 

Yinis the lunar energy (being)

Yin yoga is a slow paced and quiet practice. By staying muscularly passive for longer periods of time targeting the fascia/connective tissue in the body. We also practice present moment awareness, mindfulness and reflection. Yin yoga is a complement to your yang practice (which can be yoga or other physical activity).

Coming up: what balance and imbalance mean and how to regain balance