Written By Gunjan Singh
A journey of the self, through the self, to the self is how the Bhagvad Gita describes yoga. A voyage that begins with awareness of the physical, navigating through the koshas (layers of our being), going deeper into our cores to the universal divine within each of us. Our yoga practice gives us the opportunity to gratify our curiosity about who we are, how we can find our roots, and yet at the same time grow to reach our limitless potential. Aligning what we are to what we can be. A continuous, constant effort towards a balanced state, creating a harmonious flow within our energy body.
When we talk of balance, we are looking to bring to parity the dominant and the vulnerable. Within us reside two main energies, the masculine and the feminine. We know them as Shiva and Shakti or the Yang and Yin. The general perception being, if I am a woman, I should have a dominant feminine energy and a dominant masculine If I am a man. In such a situation, we, the men and women, would then be co-dependent and, unfortunately, individually incomplete and conflicted.
To clear common misconceptions, masculine and feminine energies do not lend masculine and feminine physical characteristics to us. They are both present within us at any given time, irrespective of our gender. The masculine, known as Pingla, Shiva, Solar or Yang, governs our left brain and right body, which controls activity and efficiency and external influences. The feminine, known as Ida, Shakti, Lunar or Yin, governs our right brain and left body, and lends calmness and creativity, moving internally to the music of our mind and breath. So, to be an active, efficient, yet calm and creative individual, looking within with clarity on this journey through time, Shiva and Shakti should be happily married.
Which energy to call upon and when is then a question rooted within our discovery of the consciousness or ‘Chitta’ where impressions influencing our thoughts and feelings are stored. A yoga practice which strengthens the body and calms the mind, helps to shift perceptions and bring clarity to this inner work. Aiming at ridding conflicts and purging blocks. Enabling the mind to call upon from within us the power of the sun or the grace of the moon.
Begin by losing your inhibitions, ego and the power your external environment has on defining your walls and boundaries. If our boundaries are too rigid our actions tend to favor the yang, where in our actions are offensive and aggressive to the onlooker. If these boundaries cease to exist or are too elastic, too yin, we appear vulnerable and stand to be exploited. When we look inwards with lucidity and equilibrium we can build or break boundaries to best serve ourselves on this path inwards. Calling upon the Yang to protect ourselves from external and internal threats and the balancing Yin to empathise and be kind to ourselves and others. Letting the feminine lunar accept the need to receive help and the dynamic sun do what needs to be done.
And to this end when we can see with clear simplicity, with a balanced perspective, a road map to our inner self, neither favouring nor fearing, the inner masculine or feminine, but enabling a free flow of Prana energy, we can truly be on our journey to the self.
Yin Yang yoga practice can bring a sense of harmony to the experience. Passive, restorative yoga sessions in Yin are held longer to stretch the body’s connective tissues. These postures also draw on concepts of stillness, patience, and surrender.
On the other hand, the yang poses are more active and dynamic, involving movements that engage muscles and energy channels or Nadis in the body. Keep the muscles engaged, improve circulation, increase stamina, Enhance flexibility.
Some Yin Yoga poses
- Sukh asana (easy seated pose): Sit on a folded blanket with legs crossed. Back must be upright, shoulders loosened, and hands must rest on the knees. The stance is sustained for a few minutes without movement.
- Bound angle pose (Butterfly): Seated with the soles of the feet together and knees wide apart, the hands hold the feet while the upper body folds forward.
- Reverse table pose: This seated posture involves placing the hands behind the hips and lifting the body into a tabletop position, engaging the shoulder blades and opening the chest.
- Happy baby pose: Lying on the back, the knees are drawn towards the chest, and the hands grab the outer edges of the feet.
- Savasana (corpse pose): Lie on your back, arms and legs stretched out and relaxed, palms facing up, with awareness on your breath as it normalises and your body relaxes.
Some Yang poses
- Warrior 1: Begin in a lunge position with arms raised overhead. This asana opens your hips and chest and stretches your arms and legs.
- Warrior 2: Start with a turned-out back foot and extended arms parallel to the ground.
- Warrior 3: Stand on one leg while extending the other leg and upper body forward.
- Upward dog: Lift your chest and thighs off the floor from the four-limbed staff pose.
- Chair pose: With feet hip-width apart, bend your knees and lower your hips, while extending your arms overhead.
To establish a balanced practice and breath, body connection, end practice with alternate nostril breathing, Nadi Shodhan Pranayama using the breath to bring both Ida and Pingla Nadis, Shiva and Shakti, Yin and Yang into equilibrium.