I have no doubt this has already been debated before . but as a relative newbie to the idea of Yin yoga I have really fallen in love with the practice. But walking for my coffee this morning and musing on things I wonder about a seeming paradox.
The idea of Yin and Yang is that they are not independent absolutes. It is not a case that something 'is' yin or yang. It is always a dynamic model with something being more yin in relation to a yang construct. So the two work symbiotically .
If this is the the case than does the name ‘Yin Yoga' of itself becomes a false idea. Does the creation of Yin as a distinct article in effect go against the very idea of that underpins the notion of Yin/Yang?
I think this question came from quite a lot of my yoga teachers not buying into the Yin Yoga model. And in many cases dismissing the idea.
In many ways it feels like my wife and cowboy movies! My wife says ‘I don't like cowboy movies'. So because of that she will never even contemplate watching a movie in this genre. No matter how good it is ... she dismisses it from the outset. And this is often the reaction I get when talking to teachers about a more Yin based practice.
So is the paradox that in seeking to promote more balance in a yoga world that is biased towards a Yang style ... the creation of a separate and distinct entity called Yin actually creates an artificial wall?
Please note... I ask this as a question of seeking deeper understanding and not to judge or critique the idea of a Yin based practice.
mick
Ps. Because my wife had a bad first experience at a Yang yoga class she hates ‘yoga' ... but .... loves ‘Yin yoga'. I am working to bridge that gap with her. Ha