214 A JOURNEY INTO YIN YOGA
Now that we have explored all the components of yin yoga, the next step is
to take action and move into the practice. Understanding the theory is just
the beginning, and it is on your yoga mat that the real magic takes place.
There is a saying in India that “experience is the greatest guru.” In other
words, the experience that comes from your yoga practice is the real teacher.
Your personal practice will provide you with a lifetime of endless learning,
insights, and wisdom.
Your practice is your place to take refuge within the things that are important
and meaningful. It is too easy to get swept up within the hecticness of life.
In our culture, there are too many things that can pull you away from what
is truly important. Your practice is there to reinforce balance internally and
externally. The greater your practice, the greater your life will be.
After my knee injury when I got hit by a car, I could have read every book
out there on yin yoga, but it wouldn’t have healed my body. It was through
my personal practice that I engaged my parasympathetic nervous system,
regenerated healthy cells, restructured connective tissue, and restored my
knee to its natural functioning.GETTING STARTED
At this point you may have questions. How do I get started? What props do
I need? How do I know how often to practice yin yoga? Is it possible to do
too much yin? When is the best time to practice? This section answers these
questions so you can set up a lifetime of transformative yin practice.Practice Space
Finding a space for your yin practice can be an exciting experience. Claiming
this space as a personal sanctuary will be one of the most powerful actions
that you can take for yourself. For some people, it could be an entire room
of their home, for others it will be the corner of a room. Wherever it is, make
sure it is devoted solely to your yin practice. Remove unnecessary clutter so
that it has a spacious quality. Make sure this place is well ventilated to avoid
stagnant energy. Keep it clean so that you minimize breathing dust and other
particles into the body.
Minimizing noise and distraction in your practice space is also a good idea.
Although we don’t always have control over our neighbors or even our family
members, try to make your space as peaceful as possible. Sometimes turning
on a fan or humidifier can produce white noise. If you use a fan, make sure
that it’s not blowing on you or creating a heavy draft. This can disrupt the
air element, which can pull the body and mind away from the yin stillness.
Sometimes a Zen-style water fountain can produce the relaxing sound of water
to provide a background for quiet relaxation. When it comes to noisy kids
and family members, tell them that Travis said to “Quiet down!” Just kidding,