Day 14, Yin Yoga. All I can say is DAMN! After all the different classes over the last two weeks, this class felt so amazing it was a spiritual experience. I have taken it before but at random times and without the focus and body awareness that has been developing for me in this self challenge. The instructor noted that this class exercises patience, but oddly for someone so incredibly impatient, my body really embraced the practice.
Yin yoga is a series of deep stretches that focus on the connective tissues in your joints. The instructor guides you through several asanas (yogic postures) for four minutes. I have no idea if four is the 'magic' number or if this particular teacher felt that this was the right duration. But for me, it worked great. It was not a heated environment (which I would like to try in the future if it's out there) but at regular temperature. It was at night, and since it's the middle of winter it was dark outside, making the wall of windows facing north a huge mirror wall exposing the reflections of all who entered the room. The lighting was dim and the energy was extremely calming as we moved from one position to another, inhaling and exhaling slowly and with purpose. I could feel the gravitational pull bringing me deeper into each pose and the blood flow getting into the tiny areas of my joints regularly neglected. I could feel my joints become internally 'lubed' and my overall posture felt strong and my movement flexible and fluid.
At the end of class, with a bow and a 'namaste', I left the studio with a sense of calm and utter happiness. When I had taken the class before I felt good, but not the overall sense of peace of this experience. This class, for me, seems the most effective and most powerful when coupled with other classes throughout the week that are more muscularly active .
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