Yin Yoga Sequence 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.