The Rebound - just as important as the poses.

We often say that Yin is about time and gravity. The concept of taking time also applies to the space between poses in the form of rebounds (moments of stillness and quiet observation) or in mindful movement that the body is calling for after certain poses.

Yin is a practice for the physical body, the energetic body and the mental body. We have time to further explore all of these in the liminal spaces between poses.

On a physical level we are affecting change in the connective tissues which act differently than muscle. Connective tissues are stiffer and less pliable than muscle and they need time to slowly come back after a pose. Sometimes we just wait for the tissues to settle. Sometimes we can gently counter especially spicy poses.

We are affecting the energy body by compressing, twisting and stretching along the Meridian lines in the body. When we come out of the pose it is an opportunity to feel energy flowing in a new way. It often comes with a sense of deep relaxation.

Mentally, the pauses are an opportunity for self-study. It’s a chance to slow down and notice the effects of the pose before moving on to the next one.

The whole yin practice – getting into and out of poses, the poses themselves and the pauses in-between – are opportunities to drop out of the busy world and drop into your body in a whole new way. I encourage you to not skip or speed through any of it!