yin time

It’s a yin time of year.  It’s dark most of the time (especially yesterday), it’s cold, there’s a feeling we should move slowly–to not slip and fall, but also because it’s cold and it’s dark!  In Chinese medicine, which most of the bodywork forms I practice are based in at some point in their history, you are urged to follow the patterns of nature, and take the cold and the long hours of darkness as cues to spend more time resting and being mellow.  Imagine a time before computers and electric lights. . . you’d probably just turn in early, and wake with the sun.

Most of us, me included, will probably not take to turning in when it gets dark at 5pm, but I will encourage you (and try to do this myself) to take more quiet time–whether that’s journaling, meditation, sitting quietly by the fire, an earlier bed time, time away from screens, or an extra long savasana after yoga practice.  Bodywork is a great way to take this time as well.  Reiki in particular is a quiet, meditative, slow, non-active style of bodywork that may help you develop a sense of stillness.  Sink into the darkness, bundle up, and be nourished by the quiet of winter.

–julie