Yin Yoga Yinsights

January, 2012

The Yinside of New Year’s Resolutions

Way back, around 150 B.C.E., Janus was put at the front of the Roman calender. With his two heads he could look forward to the new year but also back, in reflection, at the year just past. Janus came to symbolize resolutions and forgiveness and many Romans looked forward to starting the new year with gift giving and resolutions for the upcoming year. For the past 2,000 years the tradition has been going strong but everywhere the resolutions were yang-like: vows to change in some way.

Balance requires consciously honouring both the yin and yang energies of life. Yang is about change, movement, passion, climbing great heights, and accomplishing great deeds. Yin is about acceptance, allowing, stillness, enjoying the present moment and doing small everyday tasks as if they were great deeds.

It is possible to embrace the yin-side of new year’s resolutions: read on to learn how.

I hope you have a wonderful 2012!
Bernie

What’s New on the Yin Yoga Channel?

Happy Baby 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 Yin Yoga version of Happy Baby, 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.

To visit the Yin Yoga channel click here.

Back to top

Yin Yoga Teacher Directory

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.

Back to top

The Yin Yoga Forum

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.

Back to top

Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings

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 35-hour, 3-Weekend Yin Yoga Teacher Training
January 7/8th, 14/15th, 21/22nd, 2012

A 50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training
August 20th-27th, 2012 or
November 12th-18th, 2012

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.

A 60 hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training & Retreat
May 20th to 27th, 2012

This will be at the lovely Sea-to-Sky Retreat Center. Visit Upcoming Events for more information

Back to top

Other Interesting Events

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:

Paul Grilley’s Schedule of Workshops

Sarah Power’s Schedule of Workshops

Biff Mithoefer’s Schedule of Workshops

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!)