EVEN YOGA CAN BE TOO YANG

I have come to realise that “I am far too YANG” by nature… And it took a week’s yoga retreat in Bali for me to fully accept this, let it sink in, and percolate.

This ancient Chinese Philosophy describes how seemingly opposites can be seen to be interconnected and complimentary when applied to the natural world. The dualities of life form a greater whole and therefore it becomes a process of finding balance between them (YIN and YANG) to feel and be our best. For example, we can be too Yang and look for balance by embracing more Yin – which is exactly where my statement began and what I have chosen to do.

For me Yang looks like the need to get things done, to work my body hard with exercise, to speak up when I have something to say, to enjoy being out in the sun and to be optimistic and It also shows up in my restless nature and my need to achieve things every day.

It can be a huge asset and a gift AND it can be exhausting and lead to burn out. Unless it is balanced with the YIN.

So, this yogi who used to silently turn my nose up to some of the softer yoga practices is now embracing them as a complement to my stronger more YANG practice. I have taken up studio Pilates and am breaking up my day with more YIN activities to keep me balanced ALL day long. I am eating more YIN foods and watching how this is shifting the burnout and overwhelm… brilliantly!

If you want to be and feel your best, try balancing these throughout your day.