Yin Yoga: A Long & Beautiful Way

 
 

YINflections | A YUJMU Graduate Essay Series

| WRITTEN BY Milena Heuermann @ rebalancesystems.com
| Graduate of the YUJMU 200 hour Program
| READING TIME ~5 MIN.

Evaluating, examining, contemplating my experiences in Yin Yoga; how do I practice?

My perspective on Yin Yoga changed drastically during the first level of the Teacher Training in so far that I glimpsed a much deeper experience within the classes than in former practices. The continuous and intense practice made it possible to notice effects on my body and mind right after the first days.

I started to move slower even outside the practice, it seemed as if I had more time even though I hadn’t.

My mind slowed down, extended, and after only two days I wondered if I had ever slowed down in my life before.

My own bodily reactions to the practice, for example; slightly uncomfortable feelings in different body parts circling within my body and then vanishing after a day not returning again, convinced me of the power of Yin Yoga rationally, it’s effects on tissues, joints, muscles, tendons (and the mind!).
It increased the wish of working through the methods of Yin Yoga with people. Because it really works! Surprise!

Furthermore, navigating my thought process within this relaxation and ease state-of-mind occurred in a different way than prior.

Convictions and questions didn’t become less important they rather had “more space” to be evolved and looked upon.

The previous days questions that I brought with me unraveled and like strings their answers all came together to the aspects of “self- love” and “patience”.

The mentally relaxing effects of the Yin Yoga practice and the intellectual input of the lectures gave me the insight;

simple answers don’t mean creating unreachable goals for people but rather that they provide guidance for realistic approaches for all of us.

Skepticism calmed down, and now the question is only what form will my own contribution be in practicing and conveying “self love” and “patience” (I now consider Yin Yoga as one keystone to it).

Concerning teaching Yin Yoga, I am aware that I need experiences through which (my students being mirrors for me in the future) I will find my own way of teaching in a comfortable and self assured way.

I got the tools in my baggage to do so:

  • Basic knowledge from the teacher course.

  • Curiosity to explore different topics further.

  • A general interest in the human body and mind.

  • Capacity to find solutions in different situations.

  • A teacher I can turn to (TJ that’s you).

  • People I can talk to about Yin Yoga.

  • I feel well prepared and my insecurities (mainly the feeling of not knowing who I am in the context of Yin Yoga) will fade away with experience and time.

I feel well prepared and my insecurities (mainly the feeling of not knowing who I am in the context of Yin Yoga) will fade away with experience and time.

Concerning my own practice, since it feels like an addictive drug these days, I will continue to practice, be playful within my own sessions, share with friends & family and develop my new knowledge and insights.

It feels too good to even consider dropping the regular practice again.

I now consider teaching Yin Yoga as a responsibility and likewise opportunity. A Yin Yoga class creates a concrete frame for self explorations, healing, calming down, learning how to listen and more.

All of these aspects bear a potential in them for growth, fulfillment and mindfulness. I would like to be able to create a supportive space during a class, in which the atmosphere already invites people to explore the prior mentioned aspects within themselves.

My next milestone within my Yin Yoga experiences therefore is: “internalization and embodying by exploration and practice”.

Sounds like a long and beautiful way.

 

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TJ Maher