One of the reasons I fell in love with the Yin practice is because of the ability to be still in a pose long enough to settle and connect with the deeper level of this practice we call yoga. The ability to let go of the surface level and go deeper into the unconscious is a profound experience in letting go of the stress and tension that accumulate in the physical body. Once there, I can begin to let go of the stress and tension in my mind. I love the Yin practice for allowing me to be in a pose long enough to be able to connect with the breath and really feel it in my body. It's such a great opportunity to practice mindful being. When my mind is too busy to stay with the breath, I can practice mindfulness by focusing on the physical sensations brought about by being in the pose. Noticing what I feel and where I feel it; trying to direct the breath into the spaces that feel restricted or blocked in some way; and consciously relaxing the muscles are all ways to keep the mind in the present moment which is all meditation is really about anyway. If you've always wanted to practice meditation more at home but have a difficult time getting started, I now have an audio file that will guide you into a settled place. You can do this while seated, lying down, or in your favorite yin pose. You can stay and meditate beyond the length of the audio file or you can end with it. Meditation doesn't have to be for an extended period of time. Start where you are and work from there knowing each day will be different. Some days I sit, some days I meditate while lying down, some days I'm in butterfly pose. Some times it's just a few minutes. Some times it's longer. In the end, it's really about just taking the action. You'll be amazed at how much you can benefit from even a few minutes each day or perhaps a few minutes multiple times a day.
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