Yin Yoga and TCM: Autumn season- meridians and postures
(part 2)
“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.” ~ Anonymous
In this second part of the article about energetics of Yin Yoga, we will dive into the principles of Autumn season, from the point of view of postures and meridians, in order to understand the idea behind the specific sequences and target areas, as well as to focus on and incorporate the power and wisdom of this season of change into our daily lives.
As explained in the first part of this article, TCM and its basic principles talk about an interconnection or a mirroring between the human body and the natural environment, through the power of the 5 main elements: water, metal, wood, fire and earth, that feed into and complement each other. Us, humans, have been living in alignment with the seasons for thousands of years, and even if our busy modern lifestyles took us away from this connection with the energy of the seasons and nature, there are many benefits to returning back to a more sustainable and mindful way of living, where our daily pace of living, commitments, plans and even food are more aligned to the changes that are happening outside, for example learning to pause more or take it slower whenever nature is also transitioning into a more Yin phase. Autumn season represents the transition between Yang and Yin, from the expansive and solar energy of summer, to the more introspective and slow one of autumn and later winter. Summer energy might be the best season to juggle many things at the same time, but Autumn is definitely the time to harvest the fruits of our actions and also narrow our focus to one thing at a time, finding a balance between doing and resting.
Autumn marks the transition to shorter days and colder, longer evenings, so it is the perfect time for tuning into our breaths and bodies and switching from more dynamic practices to more slow and restorative ones, like Yin Yoga. Autumn effects in Yin Yoga sequences work with certain areas of the body - lungs & large intestine, therefore a complete Yin Yoga practice for autumn season will target the specific meridians (energy channels) linking the above-mentioned organs.
Yin Yoga for autumn emphasizes especially the upper body, chest and arms, although generally Yin Yoga poses target multiple meridians at a time. In Yin Yoga practices, we stimulate the different meridians and their relationship to the corresponding organs. The Lung meridian crosses the front upper body, chest and shoulders and finish all the way down on the inner arms, wrists and thumbs. The Large Intestine meridian intersects the Lung one at the level of the fingers and inner arms, and then continue upwards on the outer arms, all the way to the shoulders and shoulder blades and then finishing at the level of the neck, jaw and teeth. During the sequence, by compressing or extending these points and maintaining the poses for a few minutes, a balance of the metal element will be reached energetically and Chi or Life Force will flow easily, removing any possible blockages. Moreover, during the long-held poses, we cultivate the strength and resilience of the mind, letting go of old, unnecessary emotions and making space for the new. For anyone that experiences shoulder pain, injury or any surgery in the localized area, it is best to avoid these postures entirely and focus only on the breathing exercises, unless advised differently by a doctor.
Letting go of muscular effort during Yin Yoga poses is key to reaching and activating the more energetic layers in the target areas, therefore props such as blocks, bolsters or blankets are extremely useful, to ensure a thorough release of the body into the poses and a more restorative approach. Bringing our awareness into the target areas and focusing on the sensations arising, with mindfulness and intention, can energize and recharge our minds and bodies, from the practice all the way into our daily lives. Some examples of Yin Yoga poses that are perfectly suitable for autumn and can be easily incorporated in sequences are:
Melting heart (Anahatasana), Thread the Needle, Saddle, Sphinx Pose, Supported Bridge Pose, Supported Fish Pose, Crescent Moon Pose, Open Wing and Closed Wing. Also, during autumn Yin Yoga practices, it is wonderful to incorporate as many breathing exercises (Pranayama) as possible to activate and balance the lungs and our respiratory system, for example Kappalabhati or Nadi Shodhana.
Possible mantras or themes associated with our Yin Yoga sequences for autumn can be around the idea of change and non-attachment (Aparigraha), letting go of what no longer serves us and allow space for new beginnings and growth. When the metal element is balanced, we are able to accept and embrace the ebb and flow of life, therefore processing both positive and negative experiences as two faces of the same coin. Other aspects of our lives that we can bring our attention into during this season of transition are: regrets (basically reframing our perspective over things that did not work out in our lives), unhealthy patterns of behavior (addictions, lack of self-care), any self-criticism or perpetual negative thinking that make us stagnate in life. Thus, shifting our perspective into what is positive in our lives, the things and people that matter, sticking to a routine or to a lifestyle that matches better our values, cherishing our health and well-being despite external circumstances, all of this can allow that seed of growth and hope to emerge in our hearts and stay with us all the way into the depths of winter time.
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