Before moving to Brighton 10 years ago I had been living a very fast paced, “yang” lifestyle in London. I had been working hard setting up Create Yourself, whilst doing another part time job, I was running 1/2 marathons, practicing Hot Yoga, plus enjoying a fun social life.
I took a year out. I spent time in India and I passed my first Yoga teacher training, in Ashtanga and Hatha Flow.
After at least 2 hours of dynamic practice a day I was starting to feel injuries in my body, one being rotator cuff shoulder pain.
In Brighton I started to have 1-1 Yoga mentoring and the first thing that happened was that I was told I needed balance, to slow down. I was given the most simple gentle practice and a recipe for mung bean soup for a detox.
This went against everything I was used to and drawn to. Striving and achieving were my default. I am naturally impatient and do everything quickly.
I heard about a class on a Thursday (I think) afternoon called “Yin Yoga”, which was supposedly very slow so I thought I would give it a go. I think it might have been the only Yin class in Brighton at the time.
I remember finding it challenging, which suited my “achieving mind”, but in a different way…..in staying still and softening. Not actually trying to reach any goal but just be. It felt like the teacher was quite strict, Yin can be taught in different ways or more likely it was my impatience that was showing up, but I loved the teachings of mindfulness through out.
I floated down the road afterwards past Palmeria Square feeling a kind of presence and calm that I had not experienced before.
Shortly after I did my first Vipassana 10 day meditation course, and a light bulb flicked on as I linked the two practices together. Staying still for a while and noticing what ever arises. The practice of equanimity and allowing.
Balance seems to be my ongoing lesson. I dived so enthusiastically in to Yin that there was a while when that was all I did. I soon learned Yang is also needed. Too much Yin all the time can actually make me loose my energy, and my hips can feel a bit “over stretched”. The mindfulness of Yin can help me to notice that and know when to mix it up! Some cardio (dancing being my favourite!) and strength training is needed too, but in Yin I have definitely found “my Yoga”.
