Not that kind of pornography: not the viewing of sexually explicit photos or nude yoga classes. Rather, pornography that creates a sense of desire or aversion, as described by James Joyce in his novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Joyce’s prime character, Stephen Dedalus, who is the avatar for Joyce himself, explains that there are two kinds of art: proper art and improper art.
The feelings excited by improper art are kinetic, desire or loathing. Desire urges us to posses, to go to something; loathing urges us to abandon, to go from something. These are kinetic emotions. The arts which excite them, pornographical or didactic, are therefore improper arts. The esthetic emotion [of proper art] is therefore static. The mind is arrested and raised above desire and loathing.
If we broaden the term “art” slightly to include our yoga practice, Joyce’s insight is quite valuable. Proper art leads to esthetic arrest: proper art is static. Improper art is dynamic and leads to some sort of action. In this respect we could characterize proper art as “yin” and improper art as “yang”: by using the terms yin and yang we could subtract the judgmental factors from Joyce’s explanation, but clearly Joyce was making a judgement. Proper art is skillful, useful: improper art is not skillful.
Square Pose is new! If you are not a subscriber to theYouTube Yin Yoga Channel, you may want to visit it once in a while to see what has been added. Recently we added an explanation of the of The Square Pose, and we added a video where you can do the posture online in real time. Remember, you can link together your favourite Yin Yoga poses from the channel and create your own full, virtual Yin Yoga practices.
If you are having trouble finding a Yin Yoga teacher near your, or if you are traveling to somewhere new, try checking out the Directory of Yin Yoga teachers. We have hundreds of teachers registered from all over the world. If you are a teacher and are not in the directory, just send us your information and we’ll be happy to add you.
The forum is available for anyone to ask questions about Yin Yoga in particular or Yoga in general, but the forum is not just for those who “don’t know” – it is also available for everyone who already know, and have stories and information to share with others. Recently the forum has been changed to make it easier to find the most common topics. Check it out and feel free to add your voice.
Yin is In! And, it is growing in popularity. Yin Yoga has been with us since the beginning of Hatha Yoga centuries ago. But since the early 19th century, yoga has become more and more yang-like in nature. Everything requires balance: yin completes yang. Yin Yoga is the balancing practice for the more active, muscular yang yogas. There are more and more teachers offering Yin Yoga today, and more workshops and opportunities to learn how to become a Yin Yoga teacher. If diving deeper into the yin-side of life is on your bucket list, there are lots of opportunities for you.
Upcoming Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings with Bernie Clark
A 50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training August 20th-27th, 2012 or November 12th-18th, 2012 or February 18th-24th, 2013
All of these will be at the Semperviva Yoga Studios, in Vancouver, Canada. The Yin Yoga Teacher Training Program offered at the Semperviva Yoga College is a unique way to deepen your yoga practice and touch tissues rarely worked in a more active yang style of yoga. For 200 hour certified teachers the credits of the course can be applied towards the 500 hour certification, and is eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance. (Continuing Education Units are required to maintain your status as a Registered Yoga Teacher).
For more details or to register, check the Semperviva web page or call them at 604-739-2009.
Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Biff Mithoefer are each planning a full load of workshops all over the world. You can check out their schedules at their home web pages:
Many teachers around the world are creating Yin Yoga based workshops and retreats. Some of them are posting these activities on our Forum page. Check it out. There may be one happening near you. (If you are a teacher, feel free to add yours to the page!)
The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga
Read an introduction to Bernie’s newest book and discover the difference between his original exploration of Yin Yoga via YinSights and this more complete investigation.
Pornographic Yoga
Proper art arrest us; it makes us stop. Improper art, pornography, creates desires – wanting and aversion. These categories can also be found in our yoga practice: what type of yoga are you doing?
The Square Pose on YouTube
The Yin Yoga Channel on YouTube has been expanded. If you haven’t visited it for a while, take a peek and enjoy the Square Pose. You will find the pose explained in great detail in the Square Explained but, if you want, you can just sit down and do it by viewing the Square Performed.
Recent Forum Topics
On the YinYoga.com website there is a forum where anyone can ask questions about Yin Yoga or other topics, and everyone is free to offer wise commentary. Click here to learn more.
Teacher Trainings & Retreats
There are several Yin Yoga teacher training courses being held by Bernie Clark over the next 12 months. The next one in May is already sold out, but there is still some spaces available for the August training. Click here to learn more about these.
Checking out Other Interesting Events
There are many teachers leading workshops, Yin Yoga retreats and Teacher Trainings. Click here to learn more.
