I started practicing Yin Yoga on Saturdays and this form of Yoga requires the practitioner to stay longer in a pose and experience the stillness while maintaining a slow pace.Understanding the benefits of Yin Yoga and drawing analogy from there, today I want to focus on the “Yin” of life.
Our daily chores, the grind of a work day and even the routine outings of the weekends are “Yang” of life. They keep us going each day – sometimes motivating us and sometimes pushing us to keep the ball of life rolling. Amidst all these things, there are times when life takes a slower pace, situations seem to stay longer and we are pushed to stay still for much more time than what we had anticipated.
To balance the Yin and Yang of life, we need to observe and not jump to conclusions, breathe in and not expect to move out quickly and let things be as there are even if they are hard without disturbing the status quo. Any distraction in form of external factors should not bother us and we should let go of any thoughts that take us back to Yang.
With intentional focused efforts, we can reach a state when comfort can be controlled and a state of balance can be attained.
What do you think about this Yin of life?
happiness and food 
I SO needed this post today. Right now. I am really struggling with a situation that is so yin that it barely feels as if it is moving. And I’m not good with things not rushing forward. I start to assume things in the silence that probably aren’t facts at all since there are equally other explanations. Thank you for this.
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Mel, just take it easy..It will take its time and slowly pass..Thanks for stopping by!
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I struggle with this, big time. This type of yoga sounds AMAZING, with slowing down the pace and the breath and the pose. I like the letting go of nonrelated things, I like the slowing down when everything around you is spinning maniacally, but it is SO HARD to put into practice. You are inspiring me to go back to my yoga mat and just breathe in each pose for a long time!
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Go back to Yoga Jess..It’s fun! 🙂
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Yes, yin and yang is important for health. When there is imbalance in assimilated food, the body suffers too. I learned a few fundamentals after using aromatherapy and herbs. There should be balance for mental, emotional and spiritual health. Great post!
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Thanks Jessica..
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So Thoughtful! So Inspirational! A mantra that I need to adapt to balance the *Yin and Yang* of life
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Thank you Shilpi! Glad you liked it 🙂
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What a thoughtful post, Parul. I can understand the essence here, but sometimes it is so difficult to practice! I was a regular to Yin Yoga almost 5 years back, when I had Kanna. It helped me a great deal as a new mom. I have come a long way since then. Actually I am glad that now I can understand the yin and yang of life as you talk about here. But sometimes we need a reminder, don’t we? Thank you for this, Parul!
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I agree that practicing is difficult at times – i am talking about the mental practice. I am glad this post helped you recall those days. Now as you are missing your routines and wondering about “this and that”, try and give this one a try. May be it will make a sweet difference 🙂
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I understood tht you are refering to mental practice, Parul. I have been rather irrational with bringing balance to my mind before. But yoga does teach practising balance to both mind and body. I do feel happy and satisfied when I am less cribbing, that is a recent achievement in fact. Guess I am growing up after all. 🙂 😉 And yeah, I need to concentrate more on the positive part and less on the distractions. It’s all about “In the long run”, right?? 🙂
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Yes – you wouldn’t remember all this when you are back home 🙂 🙂 Take care and take each day as it comes with a smile on your face and peace in your heart! (Stop me if we think I am giving too much gyaan. I tend to go overboard :D)
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I don’t mind the gyaan at all, Parul as I am the same way. 🙂 Looks like we have found each other. 🙂
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Totally 😀
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Never heard of yin yoga before though it makes perfect sense. 🙂 I need to practice that more though I think I did pretty good this weekend overall. 😉 Now, getting back to ‘reality’ in the form of work may be a different story, though I will do my best to keep this in my mind, even if it’s just in the back of my mind. 😉 ❤
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That will be a good attempt Elly! 🙂
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Sounds therapeutic, must say but then, the pace of Yoga never really appealed to my chaotic mind, I need/ed something faster, more active to be able to concentrate.
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So, here is the thing. A lot of people feel that Yoga is slow..until they do Power Yoga.. Try that..It’s a misconception that Yoga is slow.. 🙂
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Your post has strengthened my resolve to learn Yoga, which I know, will help me find the balance in life. Thank you so much, Parul!
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Just do it Shilpa! It’s wonderful for both mind and body..
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Did not hear of it so far but it makes perfect sense to me.
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Glad it made sense Rachna..
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I love indulging in the stillness. To think that everything around me has stopped… even if it’s for few minutes, it helps me in balancing out the thoughts racing in my head. I have not practiced Yin yoga yet.
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Yeah – sometimes it helps..Try it out Rajlakshmi – swan pose for good ten mins on both sides to begin with 🙂
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As a fellow yogini, I of course love this post. I love how yoga helps me notice and appreciate the whole of my life, not just the active parts.
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Great to know you practice Yoga! Thanks for stopping by Lori 🙂
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That kind of yoga sounds like hell to me. And I mean that in the nicest of ways. I actually like the concept yoga, but every time I’ve gone I struggle mightily with the staying in one pose because I’m either uncomfortable and want to move on to the next uncomfortable pose so I can get it over with or I am in rest pose composing the rest of my day. If am I spinning or doing intense exercise, I can’t think past the present moment because my monkey mind is so busy trying not to expire. It is why my Buddhist practice is so challenging for me. When I chant, I try to fuse my life with my Gohonzon and get to that beautiful state where I am not fretting over whatever or thinking about what I have to get done. Those times when I am successful, I am most at peace.
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Ha ha! You have a unique problem 😀 Well, keep trying and I am sure you will find your Yin 🙂
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I guess I need to start doing some yoga to be honest. Would surely help to balance the yin and yang in my life :).
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Yoga is wonderful and I love it! Today I learnt a new form – Lila Yoga! 🙂
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Lila Yoga – Now that sounds even more catchy :D.
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I know! When the instructor said that in her heavy American accent, it was even more fabulous..Leeeela Yoga!
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I really like how you described the “yin” of life. I know I have a tendency to feel guilty or lazy if I’m not always accomplishing things or having insights about them. But you are right – sometimes stillness and observation is more important.
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Thanks Turtle! I am also learning this art but I do see that this one helps in the long run. It helps us be more patient when life is not going as we would have wanted. I am glad you stopped by and shared your thoughts.
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I would agree that most of us do the Yang Yoga often, without even knowing the Yin aspect altogether. I would take it up henceforth.
Thank you for enlightening.
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My pleasure. So kind of you to visit 🙂
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