om spirit
3
Balancing yin and yang
A yoga practice that balances yin and
yang energies provides us with the
know-how to adapt our behaviour in real-
life situations. For instance, a person who
needs to embody a more yang approach
in order to show leadership at work might
start practicing more yang forms of yoga
such as Bikram or Ashtanga. Alternatively, a
person who needs to develop their yin side
in order to soften relationships with others
might begin practicing a gentler form, like
Hatha yoga.4
Partner yoga
Partner yoga is an up and coming,
literal way to improve our relationships
with others, particularly when it comes
to intimacy in all forms. It is less about
doing something in unison and more about
accepting the uniqueness of another.
Someone who might want to overcome
blocks with physical intimacy might find a
yoga partner in order to practice safe and
mindful physical union. A more extreme
version of partner yoga is Acro (acrobatic)
Yoga. When yogis are performing potentially
dangerous postures that rely on the physical
support of another, they are making
themselves vulnerable and dependent. Seen
this way, Acro Yoga could help resolve trust
issues in our relationships.5
Beginnings, middles, and ends
Every relationship has them, from long-
term partners to business associates.
In order to tackle issues with commitment
or letting go, it can be helpful to think about
the beginning, middle, and end of each
relationship like a yoga class. You begin a
yoga class by focusing on your intention,
you go through the postures mindfully and
appreciate the present moment, and you
end the class by taking stock and allowing
your body and mind to achieve equilibrium
in final resting pose. Enter into a relationship
hurriedly, and you’re sure to encounter
problems. The same can be said for not
being ‘present’ during the relationship, while
rushing out of a relationship can leave both
parties scarred and confused.
Ultimately, an honest yoga practice
brings us back to our bodies and thereby
encourages an examined life. It is up to us
to incorporate this practical honesty when
we are doing yoga, so that we can make the
human connections that we long for.To find out more about the ethos
of Embodied Yoga Principles visit:
embodiedyogaprinciples.comus to check-in with our bodies to discover
what we really need. Self-respect is the
foundation of any good relationship; you
need to show up for yourself in order
to be able to show up for others. Self-
respect also helps to distinguish between
nourishing relationships and destructive
ones. Sometimes we need to be able to
just say “No” to those who would take
advantage of us.
On the other hand, sometimes we
need to be able to say “Yes” to receiving
pleasure. In sexual encounters, for instance,
it is just as important to be able to receive
pleasure as it is to give it. If this idea makes
you feel uncomfortable, you may benefit
from practicing an opening pose such as
Supta Baddha Konasana (The Cobbler).