Yin Sequence | Water Element
Water plays a large role in our lives. Human beings consist of 70-80% water and our planet is covered mostly in water and the depth of the oceans are still unknown. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the element of water holds an important role in the overall health of the body and spirit.
Water is related to the season of winter, which is the maximum state of rest, a time for us to retreat and slow down. Winter is a time when animals go into hibernation and much of nature is dormant or dead. It is a perfect time for us to go within and to reflect on what we need to let go of to create space for new strength and bloom for the upcoming year.
Several qualities of water include flow, serenity and calmness. Interestingly, water can also be full of power and strength. Water is the soft which overcomes the hard and helps you let go on deeper levels and dissolve old structures. Consider the following quote that puts this into perspective:
Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong. Lao Tzu
The following yin yoga sequence addresses the corresponding Kidney and Bladder meridian lines, which are stimulated primarily through backbends and forward folds. If you have something in your life right now that you are ready to release, then you can take it into your practice. If nothing comes to mind, just see what unfolds as you take your time working through these postures. Let it flow!
PROPS
- Blocks
- Bolster
- Blanket(s)
- anything you need or like to have!
Butterfly (3-5 min)
Bring the soles of the feet together and let your knees fall to each side. You can sit a little higher (for example on a block or a blanket) and you can slide your feet a little bit further away from you. Then slowly lean forward until you reached you first edge of resistance and stay here for 3-5 min.
Exit the pose by bringing your knees back together, bringing the feet hip width apart and let the knees fall to each side to neutralise your hip area.
Sphinx (3 min)
Lay on your belly and come onto your forearms. See that the elbows are under your shoulders, better more forwards than too far back. Relax your legs, bottom and belly and let your shoulder blades melt together. You can rest your head down to release all tension in your neck.
When time is up, you can slide your elbows to each side to come back laying on your front body.
Pause and feel all the sensations arising and observe them.
Child's pose (3 min)
Now sit back toward your heels. Rest your forehead on a prop, your hands or the floor. Relax your shoulders and feel how much space you can create now in the lower back where you may have felt the compression before.
Half Butterfly (3-4 min)
From your child's pose you can come back into a seated position with your legs stretched out in front of you. Bend one knee and place the foot at the inside of the other leg at the inner thigh. Find your way into a forward fold, going only as far as your body allows you. You may prefer to lean more towards the long leg or maybe more in-between the legs. Feel your way into a variation that is best for you. See it as a flow of water where you find your own unique position.
Complete the other side when time is up.
Caterpillar (4-5 min)
From your seated position, take both legs in front of you. Begin to lean over both legs and only go as far as you feel comfortable to stay, not past your limit.
See this forwards fold as a position of gratitude for whatever you wanted to release. By giving thanks to this, because it served you during a time in your life, you can finally let it go!
During your pose, consider inviting some mini movements to let the water element flow within you.
When ready, slowly come out of the position and find your way back on your back. As you land feel all the sensation your body is giving you now.
Reclined Butterfly (4-5 min)
Work your legs into the same shape like we started this sequence - butterfly. You can use a bolster or elevation under your back if you want. Bring the soles of the feet together and let your knees fall the each side.
Here, let go completely into your bolster or the mat and imagine you are floating on water. Rest into the strength and nutritional power of this element. You are completely safe here. Feel the new energy and openness which you created through releasing physical and emotional issues.
Savasana (5 minutes or more!)
Find a relaxing pose for yourself. This can be laying on the back, but it could be also any other position where you can give your body the rest and space to let all the energy travel where it needs to go, to let the flow of this energy settle in your body. This is where you digest all you have just experienced.
Stay a minimum of 5 minutes so you can completely relax body, mind and spirit.
Thank you so much for practicing and I hope you enjoyed it!
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