I just arrived back from nine beautiful days in Hawaii. I was blessed to co-teach a class with Erica Jago while I was there.
We designed a class blending two of my favorite styles of yoga ~ kundalini and yin. I taught the yin poses while Erica taught kundalini. We were joined with live music by our partners - both named Michael (hehe). I even brought my harmonium with me (it folds down to fit in the overhead compartment of an airplane!) and we sang and sang. And today, I'm happy to share with you a short yin yoga practice video you can do at home.
Yin yoga is where the poses are held longer, 3 - 5 minutes, and the muscles are soft. When we hold the poses longer, we begin to stretch the connective tissues, the tougher ligaments that join the bones together. This is thought to be where the meridian system is held.
Yin yoga not only balances the body on the physical level, but brings balance on an emotional and energetic level by harmonizing the meridians.
It is a practice to be present with your edge - the edge that may not always be so comfortable, however in my life, I have found when I am willing to be with the difficult sensations or emotions, I discover so much growth. And even more than this:
When we are willing to be with all aspects of the human experience, the good, the hard, the beautiful and the ugly, we have greater access to our intuition and the wisdom of our body.
So I invite you to set aside some time this evening to do this practice with me. Be in the silence, with your body, however it feels in that moment, and see what wisdom, guidance or intuition arises.
And if you are local, join me at The dhyana Center in Sebastopol for my Yin Yoga & Harmonium series. The theme tonight is, "Cultivate Patience, Release Anger: Yin postures for the liver and gallbladder meridian."
Love, Meredith
Some photos from my trip....see more on instagram @meredithrom
