Traditional Chinese Medicine and Yin Yoga for the Summer
When sequencing a yin yoga practice, you can plan a series of postures that relate to a specific theme. Some examples of themes include an area of the body, a specific action or movement, a contemplative practice, or a Chinese Medicine meridian.
The summer is the most “yang” time of year. It’s a time when the natural world is abundant and is displaying beauty everywhere! It’s also a time when you can get burnt out. This yin yoga sequence for the summer emphasizes poses that target the water and earth elements, helping one slow down and turn inward.
This sequence targets the Kidney and Spleen meridians in Chinese medicine. Meridians are considered channels through which Qi, or the basic life force of the body, flows. While each yin yoga pose usually affects multiple meridians at a time, you can combine the poses in a sequence to emphasize one or two meridians. The Kidney meridians are related to the water element, and the Spleen meridians are related to the earth element. Targeting these channels can help create balance in the summer.
Learn more about meridians with this video: What are meridians? How do meridians work?
Summer is associated with the fire element in Chinese Medicine. So you could also do a yin yoga practice focused on the Heart meridian, like this one.
Acupressure Point Heart 8 (Shao Fu)
This point is located on the palm in the space between the 4th and 5th finger bones (the metacarpals). To find this point, make a fist. The point lies where your pinkie finger rests on your palm.
Use this acupressure point before, during, or after the summer yin yoga sequence. Use gentle pressure to begin and slowly increase. Hold the point for 30 to 60 seconds, depending on your preference.
This point clears heat, regulates the mind, and supports Heart Qi. According to Chinese Medicine, the Heart can become agitated or overly hot during emotional upset. Using this point is said to calm this activation.
Yin Yoga Sequence for Summer:
** Hold poses between 3-5 min. depending on your ability.
I hope you enjoyed the sequence! Let me know in the comments if you used this yin yoga sequence for summer 🙂
Looking for a few other posts about summer? Check out these resources:
