Yin Yoga – the Benefits of Rest
to embrace rest in a society that idolises performance is an act of rebellion
Yin yoga offers a remedy for a seemingly endless race towards achievements and improvement. It invites us to explore rest and stillness as accelerators for internal growth. In a society that idolises performance, this often seems counter-intuitive and can feel challenging at first.
how our environment influences our sense of self
Our culture places great emphasis on the value of the intellect. It prioritises willpower, determination and puts a lot of significance on amounting achievements. In turn, it has become increasingly challenging for us to give ourselves permission to slow down and surrender to stillness.
Instead, our tendency is to get tangled up in constantly doing something or going somewhere. Hoping to feel accomplished, acknowledged or complete once we have reached a certain goal.
We are persistently surrounded by superlative statements propagating a better, more refined version of ourselves.
“Discover your purpose!” “Live your potential!” These words imply that we as individuals are incomplete or imperfect – that we need to be ‘fixed’ or ‘improved’ in some way. We’ve learnt to believe that we are only worthy of a good life if we work hard and strive. Our lives are therefore dominated by the idea that to push forward will allow us to be happy.
‘feeling stressed’ is a result of being stuck in our sympathetic nervous system
Consequently, our lives are lived at a busy pace, full of unsurmountable to-do-lists and incessant sensory impressions. Hectic cities, rush hour traffic, crowded public spaces…
We are hyper connected through mobile devices, yet often out of touch with our own physical, mental or emotional needs.
Many of us spend an alarming amount of time ‘trapped’ in our sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The SNS is also known as our fight, flight or freeze mode. A state of heightened arousal that we often describe as ‘feeling stressed’.
Overwhelmed by the constant buzz of push notifications, news updates, instant messages, e-mails, (video) calls. We are torn between work, family and social obligations. Even time meant for leisure (based on the Latin word ‘licere’ which means ‘be allowed’ ) has turned into a drill sergeant’s strategy to achieve self-optimisation and self-realisation.
yin yoga represents the polar opposite energy of performance
As yin yoga is embedded in ancient Chinese Taoist philosophy, it views the world as an interplay of opposites. These polarities may express themselves in the form of day and night, hot and cold, action and rest etc.
Taosim acknowledges that polarities are complementary, interconnected and interdependent qualities that need each other in order to create a whole.
Simply said, Taosim has no preference for one side or the other. Its world view is all-accepting and all-encompassing. What it does state, however, is how neither pole can exist without its opposite. Visually, this is expressed through the Taijitu, which most of us recognise as the Yin Yang symbol.
If we transfer Taoist philosophy onto our contemporary lifestyles, we quickly notice how heavily we lean to only one side of the scale. The societal construct we live in has conditioned us to choose action over rest. So much so that even within our efforts to counter-act stress we strive to run faster, lift heavier weights or meditate longer.
This is where yin yoga comes in as a mindful practice to invite wellbeing into our lives. Energetically, yin represents the exact opposite qualities of action. In its nature, it is cold, passive, dark, soft and calm. In its core, yin epitomises the idea that to move forward, we need to embrace effortlessness. It invites us to soften into being present. Because only if we are in relationship with rest can we fully propel into action.
simplicity & stillness are vital antidotes to soothing stress
Yin yoga practice embodies the concept that simplicity and stillness play a vital part in nurturing our being to create balance within. It represents the polar opposite of action. Restorative in its nature, yin yoga engages our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), also known as our rest and digest mode.
By slowing down our movement and extending our exhalations, yin yoga offers a refuge of ‘non-doing’. An opportunity for us to learn to hold space for ourselves and rest.
To re-connect with our inner landscape of sensation. Yin yoga helps us tune in to our current experience and embrace whatever should arise. In other words, yin yoga is an embodied practice of meditation. Welcoming everything that is, free of judgement, while allowing thoughts, feelings and physical sensations to surface and dissolve.
Most of all, yin yoga lovingly invites us to feel that we are enough. The practice gently helps us realise that we are already complete. Essentially, yin yoga teaches us that we deserve to feel accomplished as we are in this very moment – with both our shadows and our light.
