A Balanced Approach To Yoga

Ideally yin and yang qualities would be balanced in life. Realistically our society puts more value on yang qualities like productivity. When there's an imbalance of too much yang it can cause your body to be in a constant state of stress. Constant stress keeps your cortisol levels high. When cortisol levels are chronically high it can throw off your hormones in a big way. Your body will start to use up more essential nutrients which can deplete your body of minerals like magnesium which are important for chemical reactions in the body that keep your hormones in balance. Stress also makes it harder to make healthy decisions (think stress eating!). Stress directs energy away from healing and digesting and sends it to the muscles and extremities so that you're ready to fight or runaway from a perceived threat. Because there's an imbalance of yang in modern society I think it's important to bring balance into life by practicing yoga with yin qualities.

How to practice yoga with yin qualities

• Account for the ebbs and flows of life. Consider variables like how much physical activity you did today, how much sleep you've had, the time of day, how stressed you are, and where you are in your menstrual cycle, before choosing a class.
  

• Choose a teacher and yoga style that accounts for the ebbs and flows of life. When yang is out of balance it can lead to dominating teachers, rigid practices, and forceful teaching. This leaves little space for you to make your own decisions in class based on how you're feeling.
  

• Enjoy the experience. Move to feel good and appreciate every moment rather than working strictly towards an end goal or pose.
  

• Focus on how things feel rather than what they look like.
  

• Listen to your intuition.
  

• Change up your routine. Don't be strict about doing the same thing every day.

Because stress has a huge impact on your hormonal health, I think a mindfulness practice is the ideal first step to balancing your hormones.

I would love to hear how you find balance in your yoga practice through the cycles of hormones, seasons, stress, and life!