Yin Yoga and The Meridian Network
A simple guide to help you understand the meridian system in Yin Yoga…
Today, we live in a very fast-paced, all consuming world. Diaries are jam-packed. Life is on demand. Technology fills our homes. We have no time to be still and just breathe.
We lead very yang lives. Yin Yoga is a beautiful contrast to our yang-dominating world, with it’s long held poses, slow pace, calming qualities, deep rest and release.
A perfect balance of yin and yang creates wholeness.
Yang: bright, warm, changing, moving, soft, heat, masculine
Yin: cool, dark, shaded, cold, unchanging, feminine, rest
Inspired by Chinese Medicine, Yin Yoga focuses on the body’s meridian system. Meridians are invisible pathways that transport energy (referred to as ‘chi’) around the body.
Acupuncture (the insertion of needles) is another healing modality which works effectively with the meridian system.
The pathways (meridians) start, end and intersect at different points around the body. They flow through tissues, bones and lubricate the joints. Meridians hugely affect how you are feeling and your overall health and wellbeing.
When energy flows along the pathways smoothly, our network is harmonious, but when energy is weak or stagnant, we may develop illness, stress, injuries, fatigue and poor diet.
Read on to discover the different types of meridians.
What are the Meridians?
In Yin Yoga we work with 12 meridians and 6 different meridian pairs. In simple terms, our bodies are home to 12 different energetic pathways.
Imagine each pathway as a different coloured line (like on the London Underground map) which weave around our bodies. Some pathways lead in one direction (for example down the front of the body) and others lead in the opposite direction (for example up the back of the body).
Each energetic pathway intersect around the body transporting energy from one hub to the other.
Even though there are 12 energetic pathways in the body, in Yin Yoga we work with 6 energetic pairs.
Spleen & Stomach
Kidney & Urinary Bladder
Liver & Gallbladder
Heart & Small Intestine
Lungs & Large Intestine
Pericardium & Triple Heater
Each meridian pair has it’s own energetic, emotional and mental qualities. As we hold yin yoga poses for long periods of time, we stimulate the flow of energy (chi) and release energetic and emotional blockages in the system.
Spleen and stomach meridians = anxiety and equanimity
Kidney and urinary bladder meridians = fear and wisdom
Liver and gallbladder meridians = anger and compassion
Heart and small intestine meridians = depression and love
Lungs and large intestine = grief and courage
How does Yin Yoga help to stimulate the Meridian Network?
In Yin Yoga, we hold poses for long periods of time to target the body’s meridians and stimulate the energetic pathways.
As we hold poses between 2-10 minutes at a time, we work into the deep layers of fascia (connective tissue) which surrounds the muscles, joints and organs. Fascia is referred to by Sarah Powers, “…as a highly sensitive energy system that can be influenced positively by the way the body is treated.”
If you experience any physical, emotional and mental imbalances in your body, you may have a blockage in your energetic system. Energy is continuous and should flow freely along the channels. Blockages along the meridian lines will reveal themselves as physical symptoms in the body.
For example:
The primary function of the large intestine is to remove waste. If there is an energetic blockage along the large intestine meridian, you may experience cramping, constipation or diarrhoea. You may also have a blocked nose or sore throat.
I hope this post has provided you with a little insight into Yin Yoga and the Meridian Network.
When you first start Yin Yoga, you might just join for its relaxing and calming qualities, as it can feel quite overwhelming to understand the meridian system in the body.
However, once you start to practise regularly, you will become more in touch with your mind, body and soul, noticing subtle emotional and energetic release.
Warmest wishes x
References
Sarah Powers - Insight Yoga