As I think about my life, I am constantly being called to the edge.  How far can I go? How far should I push myself?  Nobody knows the answer because we are all different.  Some people can be really hard on themselves, and others are the opposite.  I realized that practicing Yin Yoga is much like practicing life.  Let’s say, as graduating from college and looking for a job, first we need to know our ability.  Sad to say, but the reality is that if my educational level does not meet, I cannot be a doctor no matter how much I wish (Knowing my edge).  Then, once I get a job, I need to be patient. I cannot be moving from one job to the others, which will show incapable of learning and impatience (Be still).  Like it or not, we should stay in the carrier at least 3 years to 5 years to start being expert in the job (Hold longer).  When I am actively seeking a boyfriend, it never happens. When I stop looking and find something else to keep me busy, I will end up being in a relationship.  Just like Yin Yoga. When you passively work out on a posture, you will get benefits such as body and mind relaxation.  (Yin movements are done passively whereas Yang movements are done actively.)   Life is so much alike Yin yoga!

It was very coincidence that I ran into this Yin yoga TTC.  While I was in Japan for the summer, I found a big yoga studio that offered many types of Yoga with very experienced teachers supposedly. They said the teachers are certified in the US (Hawaii).  Regardless, I wanted to try one class at this studio before signing up membership.  Because of my time availability, there was only a Yin Yoga class that I was able to take at the moment, so I tried.  I had no idea what the Yin Yoga was.  The studio explained to me that Yin Yoga is to hold some postures longer and I will still enjoy because it will be a mix of fast and slow pace of yoga.  It didn’t matter to me what it is, so I gave it a shot.  We started with warm up stretch then we did Surya Namaskar A for a few times, then we held some postures (such as Warrior 2) for 3 minutes. I sweat a lot, and I felt good afterwards.  Then I came back to Hyderabad and saw the Yin yoga TTC. That surprised me and it was just a right timing as I just experienced “YIN Yoga” not long time ago.  So before starting TTC, I thought Yin Yoga was like holding some postures longer in same manner as normal yoga that I have known.  But the reality was totally different.  All Yin yoga postures are different from Yang yoga postures although it may look similar.  First of all, I do not need to engage my muscles when I hold the posture, rather I need to let the body come into the posture (passive movement). I wanted to scream this was not what I heard of Yin Yoga in Japan!!! 

I read an article about Yin Yoga that it can be dangerous to mix up these forms of exercise. Yang tissues can be damaged by being stressed in a yin manner – statically held in one position for a long period of time. Muscles need repetitive movement to grow stronger. Similarly, being stressed in a yang manner can damage yin tissues.  When I thought back to the class, I think the name should be “Hatha Yoga” not “Yin Yoga”.  But anyway, this incident made me want to take the TTC course.  Without this misunderstanding, I would not have taken the course, which in turn, I was not able to gain such wonderful knowledge to be balanced with Yang side of practices.   Now that I gain this knowledge, I can bring this to the students who prefer power yoga and active workout in order for them to rest and relax their body and mind to balance their workout.  I am glad this all happened to me and I am able to take this course. I enjoyed the course, and cannot thank you (Ms. Pratibha) enough. 

-KOZUE SATO