BEGINNERS YOGA - WEEK THREE - ENERGY YIN AND YANG
In yoga philosophy Brahmacharya translates to moderation or the right use of energy.
When magnified under a microscope we are beings of energy. Our thoughts, beliefs and emotions also all hold their own energetic vibration manifesting within our energetic body. When we practice yoga postures, breathwork, mudras (hand seals) and mantra we are moving, harnessing and balancing that energy.
lie back or sitting upright start by bringing awareness to our left nostril visualise breathing in and out through the left nostril. The left nostril relates to our yin energy which is cooling and inward moving.
And now bringing awareness to our right nostril to our yang energy which is warm and outward moving.
perhaps you can sense that one side feels more open than the other.
The regulation of these two channels through controlled breathing brings harmony and balance to body, mind and energy.
Chandra Bhedana (Moon-Piercing breath) Ying
Our left nostril is energetically associated with our body’s cooling energy symbolised by the moon. In the average person the energies of Yin and Yang can swing into imbalance. You could use moon piercing breath to help with an imbalance of yang energy. This practice can benefit those with cardiovascular issues, hypertension, high blood pressure. It can also relieve acidity, heartburn, belching with a consistent practice. It should be avoided in you have low blood pressure, cough, phlegm
Surya Bhedana (Sun- Piercing breath) Yang
Our right nostril is energetically associated with our body’s heating energy symbolised by the sun. In the average person the energies of yin or yang can swing into imbalance. You could use sun piercing breath to help with an imbalance on yin energy. If you feel cold, lethargic, no appetite a yang breathing exercise will help activate the sun energy within. This practice can benefit those suffering with depression, lethargy, asthma, low blood pressure. It should be avoided by those who have stomach acidity, high blood pressure, migraines, anger issues.
Nadi Shodhana -Alternate nostril breathing
Clears and balances the energy channels and purifies the nerves. It helps keep the mind and the thought process calm and stable reducing anxiety. With the cleansing of the passages there is easy flow of prana through the entire human body. It helps bring fresh oxygen to the blood stream which further helps a healthy body and mind.
As we move through our practice today lets bring awareness to these two forms of energy and how they play out on our mat and in our life. Building warmth and yang energy with active poses and cooling down and resting with our yin energy
The optimum for health is neither too much nor too little. This is true for all aspects of our life, finding a middle path, the perfect balance of yin and yang. In practising yoga we attempt to find our own frequency. Like an old transmitter radio turning the dial to tune in to where we actually are right in this moment, not where we would like to be nor where we have been in the past, but right in this moment, a tuning in and turning on. Lets set an intention this week to find that middle path. To find the right use of our energy flowing from yin to yang like a dance of holding on and letting go , being aware when we are stuck in an excessive yin state or doing too much in an excessive yang state before burning out. Happiness is not a matter of intensity but rather one of balance.