Yin Yoga and TCM: Summer season- meridians and postures
In Yin Yoga, summer's association with the Fire element and its related Heart and Small Intestine meridians can be addressed through poses that open the chest and heart and promote grounding, such as Thread the Needle, Twisted Child’s Pose, Open and Closed Heart, Banana or Crescent Moon pose and Melting Heart. These poses, when held for extended durations can help with improving digestion and calming the fire of the heart.
Yin Yoga and TCM: Spring season- main element, organs and emotions
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is a season of rebirth and growth, a season everyone is longing and waiting for, after the heavy depth and coldness of winter. However, it is also a season of transitions and changes, which bring a lot of instability and uncertainty that require a sudden adaptation and flexibility. By understanding the qualities of Spring and following TCM’s recommendations for a harmonious life, we can tap into the season’s energy and wisdom to enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Yin Yoga and TCM: Spring season- meridians and postures
Our Western way of living, full of overstimulation can impact in a negative way the Qi/energy of both the liver and the gallbladder. When the liver and the gallbladder are imbalanced, one might experience high levels of stress, frustration, anger. Balancing the liver and gallbladder Qi can help cultivate calm, patience, a greater ability to deal with the day-to-day stress and to express oneself more freely and creatively.
Yoga for the pelvic floor muscles
The pelvic floor health is not just about strength but about creating a well-functioning, flexible system within the body. The pelvis is influenced by early life experiences and movement patterns and all of this can manifest in other parts of the body as well, the pelvis being an integral part of our whole body. Ultimately, Yoga complements pelvic physical therapy or other physical exercises by offering a long-term approach to pelvic health.
Yin Yoga and TCM: Winter season- main element, organs and emotions
Stagnation, laziness or a general heaviness in moving and thinking are downsides of this winter period. The death of nature around us as well as lack of stimulation and excitement, in comparison to the rest of the seasons, make one prone to feelings of loneliness, depression or isolation. However, it doesn’t have to be like this, if we can mindfully switch this perspective into allowing more space and dedication for more inner work, connecting to ourselves more and finding the necessary time to do the healing.
Yin Yoga and TCM: Autumn season- main element, organs and emotions
An important component to autumn is the feeling of letting go, associated also with this period of acute changes. Autumn is a wonderful time to reflect on what is no longer needed and to let go of what no longer serves us. This can translate into something big like letting go of a person, a home or a situation, but can also refer to letting go of a belief, way of living or material possessions for instance. It's natural for us as humans to resist change or uncertainty, but once we understand how life itself is made entirely of change and uncertainty, then we might come to an understanding and acceptance of this in the long run and offer space for new beginnings and growth.
About Range of motion
The joints play a major role in everyone’s ROM and generally, it is not something that can be taken for granted; several factors can lead to a loss of ROM in time, for instance injury, improper posture, lifestyle, genetic factors or even too much movement. Respecting our boundaries in regards to our joints can help us preserve our ROM longer in time, whether we refer to our spine, knees, shoulders, hips or wrists.
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