A Journey Into Yin Yoga

78 A JOURNEY INTO YIN YOGA

The following list summarizes the functions and emotions related to the

parasympathetic nervous system.

Functions

Heals, regenerates, and replenishes the body

Aids rest and recovery

Activates assimilation and elimination

Improves immune function

Regulates liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, stomach, small intestine and

colon, parathyroid hormone and bile, and pancreatic and digestive

enzymes

Emotions

Contentment

Gratitude

Serenity

Calmness

Relaxation

Enhancers

Eating potassium-rich foods (e.g., avocado, bananas, dark leafy greens)

and using potassium supplements

Consuming warm drinks and avoiding cold drinks or drinks that have been

sweetened

Drinking peppermint, lavender, and linden (tilia) teas

Performing deep-breathing exercises

Gargling

Singing loudly

Practicing yoga (of course!)

Meditating

Yin and Yang of the Autonomic

Nervous System

To be healthy, we have to find balance within the human body. The sympa-

thetic nervous system is connected to the energy of yang, and the parasym-

pathetic nervous system is connected to the energy of yin. When this balance

is lost, we can suffer from autonomic nervous system dysfunction. In their

book, A New Calm, the authors Dr. Galitzer and Larry Trivieri Jr. write the

following (2016, 44-45):