YIN YOGA & THE FIVE ELEMENTS

Founded in the late 1970s by martial artist and Taoist Yoga teacher Paulie Zink, Yin Yoga has it’s foundations rooted in ancient Chinese practices, combining theories around physical function and range of movement with the Taoist concept of yin and yang chi (energy) circulation.

These energetic principles are reflected within us and around us as well through the nature-focused philosophy of the Five Elements, the Wuxing. A conceptual scheme in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to explain many things within the macrocosm of our universe and the dimensions of life, from cosmic events to interactions within our own nervous system; releasing, energizing, expanding, nourishing or transforming.

A perfectly-tailored yin yoga sequence of long-held poses enhances us physically and energetically, bringing release through these interactions in the body, accessing ease of movement as well as balanced emotions and reactions. We embody these reactions in our meridian and organ systems and through the tissues and joints of our body, we can reflect on the energies within our body, and aspects of the elements which show in our experiences as part of nature’s cycles.

This training will encourage you to not only explore the beauty of a physical practice and anatomical impacts of Yin Yoga, but the traditions and roots that its founders followed. It aims to develop your language around the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and improve your ability to sequence meaningful classes around them using the principles of the ancient philosophy, meridian theory, and emotional connections.