A Journey Into Yin Yoga

ESSENCE OF THE TAO 31

We can also define people as exhibiting certain yin and yang features. Take
a look at the following list and note which qualities apply to you. You might
notice that you are a combination of the two. It’s possible that you can have
a yang body with a yin personality, or vice versa. Also, some of the qualities
can shift from day to day. Although things are rarely black and white, these
examples will give you another perspective on yin and yang.

Features of the Yin Person

Character: Quiet, withdrawn

Build: Thin, small, soft

Energy: Slow, lethargic

Posture: Limp, hunched over

Voice: Whisper, soft

Body odor: Faint

Breath: Light, shallow

Dislikes: Cold

Mucus: Clear, thin

Urine color: Clear, light colored

Stool: Light colored, loose

Disease symptoms: Suffer intensely

and recover quickly

Features of the Yang Person

Character: Assertive, aggressive

Build: Robust, muscular, tense

Energy: Hyperactive

Posture: Erect, rigid

Voice: Strong, loud

Body odor: Strong

Breath: Heavy, loud

Dislikes: Heat

Mucus: Colored, thick

Urine: Dark

Stool: Dark, hard

Disease symptoms: Appear

gradually and tend to linger

Although our culture tends to revere yang over yin, one is not better than
the other. When yang is in excess, it depletes the life force and burns up the
jing. Jing, in Chinese medicine, is considered to be the essence of human life.
It is what fuels and nourishes the cells. The more jing we have, the greater
length of life we have. Often, the yang personality lives hard and then dies
hard. Someone who is a yang type can learn a lot from a yin type. They can
find balance by slowing down, taking time to rest, practicing patience, and
eating cool, nourishing foods. A yin personality can also learn a lot from a
yang personality. They can adopt qualities that bring them out of their shell.
Trying new things, taking risks, engaging in invigorating exercise, and eating
warm foods can help bring them into greater balance. The key in Taoism is
always balance and moderation. But as they say, “Do everything in modera-
tion, even moderation!”

WHAT ARE THE FIVE ELEMENTS?

Tsou Yen, innovator of the school of yin-yang, is also credited with the teach-
ings of wu-hsing, or the five-element theory. The five elements, as shown in
figure 2.2, can be looked at as five phases that are related and connected to
each other. They are the following: