Yin Yoga & Chinese Medicine: Part 1 of 100-Hour

Includes –

• The origin of ‘Yin’

• Connection to the meridian system

• Understanding Fascia, our connective tissue

• Causes of tension within the body

• Physical, emotional and mental connectivity

• How the Yin yoga practice differs to more Yang styles

Yin Yoga - The benefits of this yoga style to both body & mind.

Includes -

• Body/mind balance

• Benefits to the physical body

• Connections to energetic body

• Impact on nervous system

• Releasing old wounds

• Increasing sensing abilities

• Developing introspection

Yin Yoga Class -The 5 Stages of a Yin Yoga Practice

We can think of active yoga styles, such as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Hatha & Vinyasa, as “yang” yoga, as their main focus is on your muscles. Yin yoga targets your deeper connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments & joints. In Yin yoga, we want to hold each yoga asana longer to maximize a deep stretch into the fascia-focused areas.

We can use many variations/props within the chosen shapes to relax within the target area. Within this stillness, we can then become receptive & reflective to what's happening within & around the body.

YIN - THE REBOUND

Ever wondered why we include a rebound within the Yin yoga practice? There are many physical, mental & energetic benefits as to why we include it within the practice, & also many ways we can creatively include it within our Yin sequencing. Here is a short video explaining the rebound & why we include it within a Yin yoga practice.

Yin yoga is a “Bitter-Sweet” practice that is both meditative & nourishing yet brings its own physical & mental challenges. There are four fundamental bitter-sweet stages we can experience during this beautiful style.

PLEASE VIEW THE ATTACHMENTS FOR YOUR TRAINING MANUAL AND PRACTICE PRINCIPLES

In this lecture, we will explore how to place the practice principles into the classes.

This lecture will give an overview of the history of Yin Yoga: Looking at a timeline to where Meridian theory emerged from, the background to long held postures, the fascia system and the correlation of our Meridian energy lines, to how Yin yoga progressed in the West.

In this lecture, we explore Taoist philosophy & its profound influence on the practice of Yin Yoga.

In this lecture, we explore the fascinating philosophical aspects of energy flow & balance.

This lecture explores three fundamental concepts in Eastern philosophy: Wu Wei, Yin-Yang harmony, & balance. These concepts offer insights into living a harmonious & fulfilling life.

This lecture will give you an overview of the fundamentals of Qi and an introduction to Yin Yang Theory.

SEE THE ATTACHED RESOURCE FOR YIN AND YANG LIFESTYLE REFLECTION

This lecture will introduce you to 5 Element Theory within Chinese Medicine principles.

In this lecture, we will look at all the main characteristics &  attributes of the Wood element.

In this video, we will explore the Yin &  Yang aspects of the Wood element &  indications of imbalance.

Yin Yoga for the Wood Element - Liver & Gallbladder Meridians.

This deep stretch 90-minute yin yoga class for the wood element will increase flexibility & joint health in the inner thighs, side of the body & pelvis & release excess emotion & negativity we can store inside both body & mind, particularly emotions associated with anger & resentment as we stimulate into the Liver & Gallbladder meridians. Variations are given & explained with demonstrations.

Suitable for all levels of experience & body shapes, from beginners to advanced.

Have your bolsters, cushions/pillows/blocks ready.

To become an effective teacher, your practice & Yin yoga journey are essential to teaching from true experience. Therefore, as part of your hours, I invite you to return to this practice a few times during this training to integrate & embed the practice principles.

Please refer back to the practice principles for guidance before the class if needed, & then, after the practices, complete the Wood element reflections - held in the next module - for your growth &  development.

THE PRACTICE OF BEING PRESENT IS THE JOURNEY

A guided, powerful 1O minute-guided manifestation meditation takes you on a visualization journey to manifest your goal. Before you start this guided meditation, clarify a goal or vision you would like to realize within your life.

Do this visualisation meditation often & you will enhance the power of the manifestation process.

'Your heart is full of fertile seeds waiting to sprout' Morihei Ueshiba]

SEE THE ATTACHED RESOURCE FOR WOOD ELEMENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In this lecture, you will learn the characteristics, and attributes of the fire element.

In this video, we will explore the Yin &  Yang aspects of the Fire element &  indications of imbalance.

Yin Yoga class for the FIRE element - Heart, Pericardium, Small intestine & Triple warmer meridians.

A deep stretch Yin yoga 90-minute practice for the fire element, increasing flexibility & joint health in the spine, chest & shoulders & also releasing excess emotion & negativity we can store inside both body & mind, particularly emotions associated with Stress & anxiety as we stimulate into the Heart, Pericardium, Small Intestine & Triple Warmer meridians.

Variations are given & explained with demonstrations. Suitable for all levels of experience & body shapes, from beginners to advanced.

Have your bolsters, cushions/pillows/blocks ready. You will need a tennis or massage ball for this practice.

To become an effective teacher, your practice & Yin yoga journey are essential to teaching from true experience. Therefore, as part of your hours, I invite you to return to this practice a few times during this training to integrate & embed the practice principles.

Please refer back to the practice principles for guidance before the class if needed, & then, after the practices, complete the Fire element reflections - held in the next module - for your growth &  development.

THE PRACTICE OF BEING PRESENT IS THE JOURNEY

BREATHING MEDITATION FOR ANXIETY - STRESS RELAX SLEEP

A 15-minute guided Nadi Shodhana Pranayama/meditation breathing meditation.

During this guided meditation, you will bring your attention & awareness inwards, noticing first your natural breath, then working into 12 rounds of the Nadi Shodhana - Alternate Breathing technique to bring you into a relaxed & balanced state. We then return to the natural breath to notice subtle changes in both body & mind.

Nadis are subtle energy channels in the human body that can get blocked due to stress, mental & emotional trauma, and lifestyle habits. This breathing technique helps clear and purify these blocked energy channels, thus allowing the life force (prana) to flow freely. Clearing mental clutter & calming the mind, this practice will lower the heart rate, rebalance the nervous system & balance the left & right hemispheres of the brain.

Working with the left nostril, in particular, will leave you feeling relaxed, ease anxiety & lower feelings of stress.

Do not practice with a cold, flu, or high temperature. If you find one nostril blocked, return to the practice when more comfortable than trying to force or strain.

This is an all-levels practice & can be done seated with cushions or in a chair.

SEE THE ATTACHED RESOURCE FOR FIRE ELEMENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In this lecture you will learn all the characteristics, and attributes of the earth element.

In this video, we will explore the Yin &  Yang aspects of the Earth element &  indications of imbalance.

Yin Yoga for the Earth element - Stomach & Spleen meridians.

A deep stretch 90-minute Yin yoga for the Earth element, increasing flexibility in the hip flexors, pelvis, front of the body & spine.

We will also release excess emotion & negativity we can store inside both body & mind, particularly emotions associated with worry as we stimulate into the Stomach & Spleen meridians.

Variations are given & explained with demonstrations.

Suitable for all levels of experience & body shapes, from beginners to advanced.

Have your bolsters, cushions/pillows/blocks ready.

To become an effective teacher, your practice & Yin yoga journey are essential to teaching from true experience. Therefore, as part of your hours, I invite you to return to this practice a few times during this training to integrate & embed the practice principles.

Please refer back to the practice principles for guidance before the class if needed, & then, after the practices, complete the Earth element reflections - held in the next module - for your growth &  development.

THE PRACTICE OF BEING PRESENT IS THE JOURNEY

BREATHING MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS - Guided - Diaphragmatic breathing

This is a 12-minute guided meditation. You will bring your attention & awareness inwards, noticing your natural breath, & working into Diaphragmatic breathing to bring you into a relaxed & balanced state. Diaphragmatic breathing, or “belly breathing,” involves fully engaging the diaphragm when breathing.

This means actively pulling the diaphragm down with each inward breath. In this way, diaphragmatic breathing helps the lungs fill more efficiently.

Diaphragmatic breathing can be particularly effective for grounding both body and mind.

SEE THE ATTACHED RESOURCE FOR EARTH ELEMENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In this lecture, we will look at all the main characteristics and attributes of the Metal element.

In this video, we will explore the Yin &  Yang aspects of the Metal element &  indications of imbalance.

Yin Yoga for the Metal Element Lungs & Large Intestine Meridians

A deep stretch 90-minute Yin yoga sequence for the metal element, increasing your flexibility in the Shoulders, Chest, Arms, & upper body. We will also release excess emotion & negativity we can store inside both body & mind, particularly emotions associated with sadness & grief, as we stimulate into the Lungs & Large Intestine meridians.

Variations are given & explained with demonstrations. Suitable for all levels of experience & body shapes, from beginners to advanced.

Have your bolsters, cushions/pillows/blocks ready. If you wish to complete the Myofascial release, have one tennis or massage ball ready. The particular pose can be performed without also, so do not worry if you don't have one handy; perform in the same without using the ball.

To become an effective teacher, your practice & Yin yoga journey are essential to teaching from true experience. Therefore, as part of your hours, I invite you to return to this practice a few times during this training to integrate & embed the practice principles.

Please refer back to the practice principles for guidance before the class if needed, & then, after the practices, complete the Metal element reflections - held in the next module - for your growth &  development.

Compassion Meditation - Guided - Forgive - Self Love - Relax - Let Go

A 12-minute guided meditation to bring your attention & awareness inwards, developing loving compassion for yourself, letting go of feeling unworthy, not good enough or negative beliefs about ourselves we can hold onto.

Open your heart, reconnect with yourself & the world around you. Self compassion can be particularly helpful when you are working on making life changes or working on personal development.

By reminding yourself of your innate goodness, you will develop patience & resilience when faced with difficulties.

SEE THE ATTACHED RESOUCE FOR METAL ELEMENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In this lecture, we will look at all the main characteristics and attributes of the Water element.

In this video, we will explore the Yin &  Yang aspects of the Water element &  indications of imbalance.

YIN YOGA FOR THE WATER ELEMENT - KIDNEY & URINARY BLADDER MERIDIANS

A deep stretch 90-minute Yin yoga sequence for the water element, increasing flexibility, targeting the hamstrings, spine, pelvis & groin. We will also release excess emotion & negativity we can store inside both body & mind, particularly emotions associated with fear, as we stimulate the Urinary Bladder & Kidney meridians.

Variations are given & explained with demonstrations.

Suitable for all levels of experience & body shapes, from beginners to advanced.

Have your bolsters, cushions/pillows/blocks ready.

To become an effective teacher, your practice & Yin yoga journey are essential to teaching from true experience. Therefore, as part of your hours, I invite you to return to this practice a few times during this training to integrate & embed the practice principles.

Please refer back to the practice principles for guidance before the class if needed, & then, after the practices, complete the Water element reflections - held in the next module - for your growth &  development.

YOGA TO RELAX 20-Minute Savasana - A guided deep relaxation body scan Savasana.

This 20-minute relaxation will complement your yoga practice or can be completed on its own whenever you need to relax both body & mind completely, have some resting time out &/or reset the nervous system. Allowing you to feel fully refreshed & recharged.

Savasana, a deep relaxation, is a great balancer for our nervous system. It allows us to shift from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic side, where we experience a calming release.

Over time, Savasana teaches us how to move from anxiety & hyper-stimulation to a state of down-regulation where our digestion, immune system, & other essential systems are restored & enhanced.

The 3 stages of Savasana

Stage One - allows the body to find relaxation, which takes the average person approximately 15 minutes.

Stage Two - is when savasana begins.

Stage Three, savasana's final state, occurs when the ego and mind let go.

SEE THE ATTACHED RESOURCE FOR WATER ELEMENT REFLECTION QUESTIONS

This lecture will explore the 5 Element Archetype Personalities within 5 Element Theory.

SEE THE ATTACHED TO UNDERSTAND YOUR DOMINANT ELEMENTAL PERSONALITY TYPE

In this lecture, we will explore all the main imbalances associated with the 5 Element Archetype Personalities.

In this lecture we explore different strategies we can incorprate to help us recognise imbalances within ourselves.

Patanjali is an important figure in the history of yoga. He is believed to have compiled the Yoga Sutras, considered a foundational text for the philosophy & practice of yoga.

While the Yin Yoga practice is not directly mentioned in the Yoga Sutras, the principles, & teachings of Patanjali can still be applied & integrated into a Yin Yoga practice. Here are a few connections between Patanjali's teachings & Yin Yoga.

In this lecture, we explore how Dharma &  meditation are both important aspects of yoga and can greatly support spiritual &  personal growth.

This lecture will explore how meditation can aid our Yin Yoga practice.

In this lecture, we explore the normal challenges experienced during meditation.

Within this lecture, we will explore definitions of what is mindfulness and what is not mindfulness.

In this lecture, we explore how to implement the concept of mindfulness into a Mindful Yin Yoga practice.

In this lecture, I give examples of Mindful Yin Yoga techniques as a general guide we can implement within our practice.

The role of a Yin Yoga teacher is multi-faceted and involves guiding students through a practice that focuses on deep stretching and relaxation. Here are the main points to consider.

Here's a general guide to help you put together a Yin Yoga lesson.

This lecture will explore how to create balanced Yin Yoga sequences, to create an effective energy curve that will prepare students for savasana.

In this lecture, we explore a range of effective cueing strategies for teaching Yin Yoga.

In this lecture, we explore hands-on adjustments and how they can be offered with care and respect for each student's unique needs and preferences.

Creating a safe & supportive environment in Yin Yoga is essential to ensure that students feel comfortable, respected, & able to engage in their practice fully. Here are some key considerations for creating such an environment.

Yin Yoga philosophy can be beautifully woven into a class to enhance the students' experience &deepen their understanding of the practice. Here are some ways to incorporate Yin Yoga philosophy into a class.

In this lecture, we will explore lifestyle and diet tools to balance the elements.