Similar Yin and Yang Asanas

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acorn484
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:05 am
Location: Eugene, Oregon

Similar Yin and Yang Asanas

Post by acorn484 »

Hi again Bernie,

Since many of the yin asanas have a similar yang asana, i.e. Half Butterfly and Janu Sirsasana, Halasana and Snail, Swan and Pigeon etc. Is it useful to practice the yang versions of these asanas during a yang practice in addition to practicing the long held yin versions during a yin practice, or is it better to just do the yin versions since they are inherently more yin? For example, would it be advisable to omit Janu Sirsasana from a yang practice if you're already practicing Half Butterfly in your yin practice?


Thanks, Vincent
Bernie
Posts: 1293
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:25 am
Location: Vancouver

Yin vs Yang poses

Post by Bernie »

The Yin poses are different poses than the Yang poses that look similar. That is why we give them different names. They are not the same: they have totally different intentions. For example, Half Butterfly is designed to stress the ligaments along the spine, whereas Janusirsasana is designed to stretch the muscles in the back. They look similar, but they are not the same. Which pose you want to practice depends upon the intention of your practice. You could do both or not - what are you trying to achieve?

In the Yang practices we are working, in the physical realm, to lengthen and strengthen our muscles, so we can be healthier and have a greater range of motion. In the Yin practices we are working, in the physical dimension, to strenghten our connective tissues and over time to regain any lost range of motion due to contracture. While you can get some stretch to your muscles in a Yin practice, that is not the main intention. Better, if that is your intention, to do a Yang practice.

So, you can do both if your intentions are to work different parts of the body, the muscles and the connective tissues in that area.

Cheers
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