Yin Yang. A journey towards balance and harmony
Wellbeing is a balancing act based on universal laws of nature. I recently read a book “The Tao of Long life”, the Chinese art of Chang Ming. It is full of tips for health and long life. It includes our approach to diet, environment, lifestyle, way of being, thinking, acting and the impact it has on our wellbeing and energy.
The Tao is an ordained way based on the entire cosmos. Its energy is based on Yin and Yang.
Duality & Balance. Polarities & Wholeness
Yin and yang is a Chinese philosophical concept describing opposite yet interconnected forces, organised in cycles to create balance within the universe. Think of summer and winter or spring and autumn, the moon and the sun, hot and cold, heaven and earth, day and night… We, too, are part of this eco system with its natural rhythm. Whether we follow the laws of the universe or not is our choice but it may affect our energy in the long term. Organs of the body, our mind, physical strength and spiritual development depend on the amount of energy absorbed and stored within us.
A Juggling act: Different sources of energies
One source of energy will be through the food we consume, the second will be correct breathing, the third is the natural energy of the universe. All plants and trees depend on this same energy. Ideally, to preserve our good health, we can try our best to eat food that is natural, free of chemicals, breathe air free of pollution etc. Natural laws of the universe were taught by teachings of men such as the Yellow Emperor, Lao Tzu, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha.
We are body, mind and spirit
The physical side and our spiritual life are closely intertwined, just like yin and yang. One will affect the other so naturally, we will aim to find harmony within ourselves. Now more than ever, it is essential to cultivate our spiritual side to stay centred and grounded, to find peace and calm within despite the chaos of the world around us.
Historically, in Chinese philosophy, the Sage was the supreme doctor because he healed the spirit, next was the food doctor, who also used herbal therapy, third was the doctor of general medicine including acupuncture, massage, vibration healing, 4th was the surgeon to mend broken bones and fractures. In which order, do we approach healing in today’s world ? And do we look at the person as a whole ? In other words, do we have a spiritual holistic approach ?
I believe that when it comes to healing, it is always best to take into account the whole person, their medical history, background, spiritual health, life major events and emotions. Why is mental health so much talked about these days ? Is it just a coincidence or is there a correlation with the fact that we are becoming more and more disconnected from ourselves and each other as human beings as we increasingly live move more and more towards a digital world ?
Let’s think for a moment. What happens to our local community? This phenomenon seems more predominant in cities than in small towns or country villages, where they still seem to have a sense of community and togetherness, which is so essential to our wellbeing. They are also closer to nature, following the natural rhythm of life.
Everything is just energy. And so are we...
Physical Energy:
We are active every day, at work, at play, playing sport or when we relax. Tense muscular systems generally delay the natural expansion of our physical activity. We need to learn to keep our muscles and ligaments supple and flexible so we can feel young as we age and dynamic when we are young. Yoga, Tai Chi, Kung Fu… help to reach this goal by purifying organs, increasing the goodness in our metabolism, improving circulation and chi, energy flow. Body weaknesses arise when there is a blockage of energy within.
Mental Energy:
We use mental energy for thinking, activating our body, restoring vitality. Worry, stress and other negative emotions drain our energy. The opposite is true with joy, laughter, love etc. which will increase our energy and lift our spirit. Activities such meditation, Somatics, Feldenkreis, Tai Chi etc. which help us to tune into the self, through sensory perception will be most beneficial. Complete relaxation of the mind, body and spirit is essential for personal wellbeing.
Controlling the mind: We need to learn to be humble, not complain, not boast, accept what is. Learn to control our thoughts by accepting everything as it comes along, not fret or worry. Learning to be content or “Santosha” is part of the yogic philosophy.
We need to learn to navigate through life’s ups and downs. We need to develop the strength to see ourselves through challenging situations without blaming others or self-pity, knowing everything changes, so that shall pass, and joy will come again.
For that reason, we need to develop our inner spirit to stay centered and grounded. We can choose to walk in nature, learn how to breathe well, do Tai Chi or Qi Gong, Yoga, meditate etc. This needs to be cultivated on a regular basis to nourish and nurture ourselves, our spirit.
To help the spiritual side of our life, we want to learn to think positive and do good whenever possible. If a bad thought comes into our mind, we need to be aware of it to change it into a positive thought. It is like pulling weeds out of our garden to ensure we reap beautiful flowers when the time comes. By developing mental alertness, we are training our brain by learning to control our thoughts, so we become the captain of our own vessel.
Our Conduct: Never harass or harm anyone is also a concept we find in yogic philosophy, “Ahimsa”. In other words, do not harm, either in thought or deed. This applies to ourselves as well as others around us. We need to learn to choose our words wisely. Speak of kindness and love. Thoughts and words are energy. What do you wish to sprinkle around you ?
We need to learn to respect and be here for each other, helping each other. This generates great satisfaction and happiness and contributes to our mental and spiritual growth.
External Energy:
It is all around us in our environment. It passes through all things, even our bodies between heaven and earth. It brings us vitality. It is a constant flux of energy. If we remain mostly indoors, then our share of it will be greatly reduced so whenever possible, let’s go outside into the fresh air and sunlight to revitalise us.
Internal Energy:
It is the vital energy we are born with. Traditionally, Yin represents femininity, body, soul, earth, moon, night, water, cold, darkness, contraction… Yang has opposite characteristics like masculinity, mind, spirit, heaven, sun, day, fire, heat, daylight, expansion… Everything in nature is constantly changing regulated by yin and yang and this includes our bodies.
So logically, the equator, where the sun is strong, is yang whereas the north or south poles where it tends to be cold and dark 6 months of the year with abundant water around, yin will be the predominant energy. As nature is so clever, in yang climates where it is hot, we tend to find mangoes, oranges, pineapples which contain a lot of water, which is yin. In yin regions, you will find smaller fruits with less water. It is all about balance.
Spring and summer along with wind and heat are yang, while autumn and winter with dryness and cold are yin. So, what we eat will very much depend on the season to create natural balance and harmony within our body. This duality of energy is also within ourselves. The exterior of the body is yang and the inside yin. The right side of the body is yang and the left side is yin etc.
Our vital energy declines with age. We can boost it with a good balanced diet and by regular deep breathing, “Pranayama”. Abdominal breathing or other such as nostril breathing.
When we look at yoga, and the channels of energy within our body, we talk about energy pathways or nadis. It is said we have up to 72000 nadis. It is a complex system where our life force, prana energy flows through bringing us vitality.
The pranic body, also called the astral body, has 3 main energy channels Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. The latter runs through our spine. It is the connection between the earth, our roots and material life, and heaven, our higher awareness and our spiritual existence. It rules over mental and physical functions. The two Nadis, Ida and Pingala, running alongside the Shushumna activate our female and male aspects.
Ida Nadi (yin) runs along our left side of the spine and represents the lunar energies in us. It rules over the left side of the body and our right hemisphere of our brain. Regeneration and intuition are activated via Ida, receiving and healing. This Nadi is active when we are calm and relaxed. It is more prominent at night when we heal, repair and recover.
Pingala Nadi (yang) runs along the right side of the Sushumna. It activates the right side of our body and the left hemisphere of the brain. When Pingala Nadi is active we are ready for physical activity.
The Nadis correspond with our hemispheres in the brain and rule over our logic as well as emotions. A balanced Nadi system brings intuition and knowledge together and unfolds the full active and regenerative potential.
Using our yogic breath such as alternate nostril breathing, we bring those two aspects into harmony and allow our body and mind to self-regulate and heal imbalances.
Yin and yang. are natural laws of nature, which teach us that to find harmony and good health in our body, mind and spirit, so it is up to us to learn the correct way to balance our energy at all times, physically, mentally, spiritually.
I run weekly classes in Tunbridge Wells, Fordcombe and online. A blend of breathwork, yoga, Somatics, Pilates to feel good. I also offer workshops and 1:1. All welcome ! Just get in touch...
For more info, benefits and testimonials on Yoga and Somatics, www.yogawithbelle.co.uk
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