yin yoga contains the ancient, and some say original, form of asana practice. the sages who pioneered the path of yoga used asanas to strengthen the body, so that they could sit for long periods in contemplative meditation. if you have ever sat for a long time with legs crossed, you know the hips and lower back need to be strong and open. the sensations you felt were deep in the connective tissues and the joints. these are the deep yin tissues of the body, relative to the more superficial yang tissues of muscles and skin. yin yoga opens up these deep, dense, rarely touched areas.
from (yinyoga.com)
this class is for a brand new meditator, the most experienced meditator, and even those who say they "can't focus" or "be still for that long"! because of the innovative technology that this meditation style possesses, you merely listen to the cds as they really meditate you. synchronicity contemporary high-tech meditation is based upon precision holodynamic vibrational entrainment technology (HVET), that delivers an unprecedented degree of precision and efficiency... delivering at least a four-fold increase in acceleration of results over low-tech methods. this proprietary technology eliminates the inconsistency typical of traditional techniques. also, it is designed to harmonize the chaotic energies that otherwise impede the meditative process and frustrate us in our attempt to experience balance, wholeness, and fulfillment.
this quiet, peaceful fourty-five minute meditation time will be spent with the intention of bringing peace to ourselves and our world through the mantra "You shall love others as you love yourself." -Leviticus 19:18. as wisdom grows through practice, the obscurations that cause the heart to close gradually become transparent, and lose their ability to keep the heart closed. it is also possible to cultivate wholesome mind states such as gratitude and awe.
together, these practices open our hearts and strengthen our love for all beings, parts of the holy one of being. this sense of connection leads to a commitment to act as much as possible in the service of tikkun olam or repairing of the brokenness of our world.
your vinyasa teacher designs a series of breath-connected postures (asanas) that encourage integration of body and mind. inhaling and exhaling cues inform the movement of interwoven asanas. called "vinyasas", these sequenced grouping of asanas vary from class to class. the emphasis of breath in tandem with movement, along with a deliberate ordering of postures builds flexibility, strength and energy. as breath and body coordinate, the mind follows their union improving clarity and focus. vinyasa yoga cultivates an ability to skillfully move and smoothly transition from asana to asana, leading to a sense of well-being and contentment.
yin utilizes long held, passive floor postures to decongest connective tissue and fascia around the lower back, pelvis, hips and knees. this style keeps the body supple at its core while encouraging stagnant ch'i or prana to flow through the meridian system, enhancing the health of the joints and organs while keeping the body in balance. yang serves to balance the cooling energy of yin, with a more active flow to unify breath and movement. the stillness cultivated in the beginning of class inspires the movement likened to a moving meditation. when executed skillfully, these disciplines allow our body and mind to find a harmonious balance while mindful attention trains us to identify and release patterns of resistance, thereby promoting a deeper insight into our true nature. we will close the practice with savasana, deep relaxation, to integrate all aspects of the practice within.
initially, the discipline of hatha yoga, the physical aspect of yoga, was developed as a vehicle for meditation. the repertoire of hatha yoga prepared the body, and particularly the nervous system, for stillness, creating the necessary physical strength and stamina that allowed the mind to remain calm. the word hatha also has several translations. with ha meaning "sun" and tha meaning "moon" we have the common interpretation of hatha yoga as "a union of the pairs of opposites." a more technical translation of hatha yoga is "force or determined effort." Thus hatha yoga, the "yoga of activity," is the yoga that addresses the body and mind and requires discipline and effort. it is the yoga that we can feel, that we can experience, right here and right now. hatha yoga is a powerful method of self-transformation. it is the most practical of the yogas, and sages have recommended its practice in some form for millennia as preparation for all the other yogas. in our hatha classes, we will be focused on heart-centering, opening the space in between our shoulders and expanding it to love ourselves and love others. this is a joy filled, contemplative practice.
this restorative and healing yoga class includes slow, gentle standing and floor stretches and meditation for deep relaxation. a gentle approach focuses on helping participants increase range of motion, improve posture and balance, restore flexibility and increase breath capacity. learn modification of poses and the use of props.