The Magic Of Yin - Guest Blog - Emma Lander

The gifted Emma Lander shares her Yin Yoga story and insights

She also shares her practices and tips for Spring

Insight into my discovery of Yin Yoga

My discovery of Yin Yoga came into my life as the most natural next step in my yoga path, post covid, post corporate work life and after practising yoga for more than 20 years. My preference when it came to yoga was always energetic and dynamic in style which also influenced my choice when it came to deciding on teacher training where I decided to train in Ashtanga yoga. This form of yoga without knowing it also reflected my personality and nature; it even harmonised my Western and Eastern astrological blueprint which I am an Aries and a Metal Rooster. I have been blessed in this life to be surrounded by Eastern philosophy and culture with a mother who is a Feng Shui Master in Hong Kong and China where I lived my whole childhood and until my adult life when I moved to the UK. 

It was still another 20 years after relocating from the city to the countryside in Surrey that I decided to do further training and learning in a different mode of yoga. Hereby entered into my life the magic of Yin yoga; the missing part of the jigsaw where pieces are always being added to my expression of yoga which is just wonderful. Yin yoga has been practised for centuries in China as part of Daoist Yoga, which is sometimes known as Dao Yin. Daoist priests taught this knowledge, along with breathing techniques, to Kung Fu practitioners around 2000 years ago. It was also at this point where I discovered Traditional Chinese Medicine which I had been aware of from a young age as a way to heal and aid the body. Often there were concoctions and potions around which I found fascinating. This was a ‘light bulb’ moment that had switched on in my soul and a flame of knowledge had been stoked. My practice was evolving organically… I had quite literally found the Ying to my Yang.

3 Principals or Tattvas of Yin – Stillness, Sensation & Time

Like everything in life, balance and harmony is key. The ability to compliment my dynamic practice of power yoga and vinyasa; the roots of Ashtanga, Yin yoga has been pivotal to my mental, physical, and spiritual growth. To cultivate both strength and softness, power and grace is so empowering and liberating and I am so blessed that I can share this as my job and passion!

Yin yoga is a relatively modern form of yoga that was developed in the late 1970s by martial arts expert and yoga teacher Paulie Zink. The practice involves passive seated floor poses for longer, typically between 3-5 minutes or even longer that mainly work the lower part of the body - the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine. These areas are especially rich in connective tissues. Unlike more dynamic styles of yoga that focus on building strength and flexibility quickly, Yin yoga targets the connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and fascia, with the goal of increasing circulation and flexibility over time. Renowned Yin teacher Sarah Powers offers us three very simple and very effective principles for Yin yoga.

Sensation

Come into a pose to an appropriate depth, looking for a ‘feeling' or sensation that allows you to find the pose ‘interesting’ or perhaps allowing it to become ‘interesting’ as time goes on. We sometimes refer to this sweet spot in a pose as the ‘goldilocks’ code of practice, looking for just the right amount, not too much not too little of sensation; discomfort even but of course never pain. This is where we can learn to discover the internal landscape of our body; its strengths and weaknesses and areas to focus and support with more time and attention. Yin can be so explorative and believe me can be extremely humbling! I always remember some great advice that if a pose is uncomfortable and challenging for the mind and body, this is the pose you need to practice.

Stillness

Being still requires discipline and focus. Once we have found the sensation, we settle into the pose and let go of the movement and become present in the moment. Evoking the qualities of patience, acceptance, and surrender as we settle in the stillness. However, I do encourage in my teaching to ‘move’ if we experience pain or if we are struggling to remain in the physical pose. If it’s more of a mental block then finding different mudras or meditation practices can assist to bring stillness to the mind; encouraging thoughts to come (which they will and that’s natural) and go. Sometimes moving and settling back into the pose allows for further sensation and in time stillness returns. 

Time

Yin poses are held for an extended period anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes in many which help to target the passive tissues and fascia of the body, while also incorporating elements of mindfulness to cultivate a deeper connection to the present moment. The long holds in Yin poses can help release stored tension and stress, promoting a sense of relaxation and mental clarity. In my classes I will always give a prompt to how long there is in each pose (respective side of the body) and how long until we release. Sometimes this cue allows us to stay that little bit longer just before we exit sooner and miss that place where the magic happens just before we release and finally let go. Many feel a deep sense of calm and inner peace even emotionally after a Yin practice. Improved sleep and reduced anxiety are also excellent benefits as this holistic approach is what makes Yin yoga a unique and valuable practice for everyone and anyone.

Five Elements, Meridians & Meeting The Seasons 

The practice of yoga blends so beautifully with so many other wellness systems that it has become a truly universal modality. One of its many fascinating partnerships is the combination of yoga and ancient Chinese philosophies. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the journey of the vital life force (or Chi) through the body. This energy flows within our body along pathways or energetic channels called meridians which travel through every muscle, organ, and bone in our body. Practising Yin yoga helps us move and stimulate this energy through the body to bring it back into harmony and balance. When Chi is moving through our body freely, the Five Elements are said to be in balance, as Chi needs to be moving constantly for optimum health. However, imbalances between the Five Elements and their corresponding energetic channels (meridians) can cause the Chi to stagnate, or become excessive, affecting our wellbeing. When the body is in a state of homeostasis, the body is in a state of wellness and ailments and illness is prevented. 

In Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements represent the five unique energies that are present in all things throughout nature; Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth and each element expresses itself differently depending on where it’s found and manifests in our body organs, emotions, and personalities.

Spring Element Wood and Organ pair Liver & Gallbladder

Wood is the element of Spring and in Yin yoga we incorporate poses that target and strengthen those organs to encourage clear flow of chi and good health for the season which is when these organs are being used and worked the most. In Spring the body is coming out of Winter so there is a physical ‘shedding’ from hibernation, a process of detoxification and realignment of the digestive and circulatory systems in our body. The Liver (Yin) filters and regulates blood in circulation and breaks down toxins and the Gallbladder (Yang) stores and secretes bile helping Liver to function and break down fat. Emotions linked to these organs are compassion, patience, kindness and when in harmony. Emotions of anger, frustration, poor decision making and judgement are evoked when out of balance. Physical manifestations when out of balance in the body can be weakness in eyes as well as knee issues, nausea and muscle body ache. This is what I find fascinating about the practice of Yin yoga and the body that if we are aware and conscious of our body’s it gives us all the feedback we need to help fix ourselves. A wonderful book which is worth a read ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ by Bessel van der Kolk which takes this notion to a whole deeper level. Not a beach read but one that you can dip and dive into as reality check!

3 Poses To Support Your Spring Yin Practice

Poses that include hip openers stimulate the Liver and twists the Gall Bladder meridians:

·       Deer (twist)

·       Reclined Butterfly (hip opener)

·       Half Dragonfly (hip opener & twist)

5 Top Tips To Look After Yourself in Spring

1. Clearing my home
This is the most obvious one but I love having a good clear out, and start small, maybe with your draw of shame (we all have one). Just 10 minutes a day can make a difference, you'll feel a sense of release and lightness both inside and out.

2. Supporting my Liver
Our Liver is the organ associated with Spring, so we want to give them all the support they need. Incorporate foods to help detox like dark leafy greens, radishes, lettuce, cucumber, and celery.

3. Time in nature
Embrace the power of the Spring energy by spending lots of time outside and open your windows to ventilate your house. Engage in practices like breathing exercises, yoga or walking to rejuvenate your inner self.

4. Eating seasonal foods
Adjust your diet to align with the fresh energy of Spring, eat simple meals trying to steam food and eat until you're 70% full.

5. Self-reflection
When I am on my daily dog walks, I use this time to declutter my mind. Start by asking yourself the question: Are there any old emotions you are carrying, that you could write in your journal and leave there?

Start one step at a time in your Yin yoga and wellness journey. The key is to focus on one aspect and notice the difference it makes once its done.

Love & Light

Emma xxx