Summertime Yin Yoga
Summer is the season that many of us look forward to, long days and warmer weather, socialising and doing things we enjoy outside. The energy we can pick up is of an expansive nature- like the energy of Fire.
Just as we feel the heat from the sun during this time of the year, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the summer season is governed by the Fire element.
The Fire element is one of the 5 elements of TCM describing a phase, and all of them evolve into the next (creation cycle) but can also control and restrict respective elements within this cycle (controlling cycle), see picture.
The 5 element theory outlines the relationship between the elements in both nature around us and in ourselves (the macro- and the microcosm).
The basic elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These are associated with a specific season, organ system, color etc. and their relationship can be used to describe the health of our body and mind.
Every individual has these five elements in themselves to varying extent..
Each element is associated with a certain organ as well as meridian/ energetic pathway. According to TCM our life force Qi is running along the meridians nourishing our organs. That Qi can become deficient, stagnant or rebellious (i.e. not moving in the right direction).
Influence your energy body with mindful Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga poses can stimulate the tissues in which many of the main meridians are found, our connective tissue/ sinews. With poses that put pressure/ compression onto certain parts the body or poses that stretch certain areas we influence the flow of energy along these areas, remove stagnation with the aim to restore a free flow of energy. This is not only true for Yin Yoga, almost every type of movement will affect our sinew channels and therefore have an effect on our energetic system.
But with the nature of Yin Yoga, the long holds invite us to incorporate a theme or intention to the practice. You can bring the energetic qualities of an element into your practice and make this a theme to reflect on these aspects.
Qualities of the Fire Element
In TCM, the season of summer is the most Yang of seasons.
Yang represents heat and activity in comparison to Yin representing cool and rest. We all need a bit of Fire in our lives to keep us going, it brings a sense of warmth around the heart, makes us grateful, content and passionate. It gives meaning to our relationships with others and allows us to express ourselves fully. Too much or too little fire though can bring some imbalance.
The fire element, unlike the other elements, is associated with four main organs: the heart (yin), small intestines (yang), pericardium (yin) and triple heater (yang).
All of these meridians are running along the arms, both on the inside and the outside, so for a Yin Yoga practice to work with the energy of Fire, we focus on these areas. Since the heart is considered the most important of the 4 organ systems, more emphasis is put onto the heart and its qualities.
Learn and explore TCM concepts in Yin Yoga.
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Yin Yoga for the Fire element
Your Yin practice can be inspired by inquisitive questions on the qualities of the Fire element, bring in the energy of expansion and on a physical level use Yin Poses that stimulate the sinew channels along which we find the energetic channels related to the Fire element.
Poses such as Anahatasana (melting heart), twisted child, wrist stretches, supported fish, broken wing etc. all stimulate the energetic channels related to the Fire element. Know that we most likely also stimulate other channels as well - after all, the arms house energetic pathways for heart, lung and pericardium and their Yang partners.
Let’s practice a short Yin Yoga sequence for harmonizing the Fire element (click below)
Let the calm and soothing practice bring in clarity. Visualise the mud slowly settling in the water as it clears. Bring in some gratitude, let that establish some glowing warmth around your heart.
I hope you enjoy creating space in your body and nourish your heart energy.
Have a wonderful summer season and I hope you can incorporate some of these concepts into your Yoga practice.
With warmth,
Simone