One thing that I find especially effective in my Yin practice is the attention to direction of breath. When, in a class, I combine Yin poses with a slow, directional, and also ocean-sound breathing, I get great results. Bernie describes this technique clearly in his explanation of "Orbiting Energy" on p. 55 of his recent book on Yin.
But I am wondering where this technique comes from? Is it traditional in Taoist yoga? Does Paulie Zink teach it? Or is it from Mr Motoyama? Some other source?
A second question: I am puzzled as to why so few teachers emphacise or even mention this technique in their classes (notable exception: the superb yin teacher, Marla Erickson, Ottawa). For me, it makes all the difference. I think of cutting steel with an acetylene torch. There are two tanks supplying the two nozzles on the torch. One is acetylene, which give you a big, orange, smoky flame. That alone won't cut anything. Then you turn on the oxygen stream and the flame becomes blue and very hot. With that you can cut thro two inches of steel like a knife thro butter. I find the attention to breath in yin much like that. It adds so much extra power. I do not understand why it is not emphasized more?
