Editor,
Medical care costs are out of control in the US and this is commonly known.
Americans are having knee, hip and shoulder replacements at an unprecedented rate. These surgeries are expensive, painful and invasive.
It’s enlightening to know that there is an alternative for healthy joints that is both relaxing mentally and physically preventive in nature.
Not as commonly known as vinyasa-style yoga, there is a style called yin yoga that is a passive (yin) versus dynamic (yang) yoga-style practice. Yang-dynamic practice works primarily muscle. Yin-passive asanas mostly open and lubricate tight joints. Mentally, yin helps bring stillness of mind and emotional healing.
There are only a few dozen yin poses. Most of these main yin poses have multiple variations depending on flexibility levels and experience. Nearly all yin asanas take place on the ground and work mainly the lower joints of the body like the hips, lower back and spine, knees and ankles. Joints are worked by compression, stretching or twisting. Your whole body will benefit.
The founder of yin, Paul Zink, notes in an interview that he named and devised his yin poses mostly after various animals after carefully observing nature. He believes that animals are the masters of flowing movement. They don’t follow a theory. It’s amazing how much nature teaches us in every way.
There is room to be flexible in yin yoga while in posture. There should never be any pain or exertion in yin and plenty of bolsters, cushions and blocks are used by everyone in the class.
Healthy joints are nice to have at every age. And it’s good to know there are ways we can help ourselves in order to prevent having joint replacement surgery. And it feels amazing after a class!
Peace to all.
Susan Pang