Spring Yin Yoga and Sound Bath - an elemental journey

Spring is in the air!  Nature is awakening from her wintery slumber; stretching, yawning and sending shoots of new fertile growth up to greet the warming sun.  Amidst the vibrant burgeoning green of the forest, flowers start to appear, weaving their delicate hues in celebration of new beginnings.  Spring is all about growth, fullness and freshness, new ideas, creative expression and play.  

As the Worm moon waxes to lunar fullness, her reflective light radiates through the darkness catching our gaze and kindling our own sense of awakening, an encouragement toward more expansive, vibrant movement and uncurtailed freedom.

In the 5 elements system of traditional chinese medicine Spring is associated with the wood element.   The water element of the preceeding season nourishes wood, engendering a mother/child style relationship.  The mother ensures the child has enough to drink, stays warm and rests during the colder, darker months.  The yang river of the urinary bladder removes waste water, flushing the system to ensure a pure stream of water as the source of growth for the new season.  This lifesource is the essence of the kidney energy which provides the stream of nourishing qi required for wood to grow strong and flourish as we lighten into Spring.  

Our yin practice will focus on the physical, energetic and mental/emotional qualities and attributes offered by the elements of water and wood.  We will target the meridian channels, subtle rivers within the body through which energy flows, and the corresponding organ systems relating to these yin/yang streams, through the use of specific poses which apply gentle acupressure to the related tissues.  

Yin yoga is a slow, yielding form of yoga arising from the Daoist (or Taoist) practice.  Yin yoga targets the deeper yin tissues of the body: ligaments, tendons, bones and fascia and offers adaptable poses to suit individual skeletal differences.  Mostly floor based, the aim is to find an appropriate edge in which sensations are felt but do not become sensational and there we remain in stillness whilst the magic ingredient time does its alchemising work. The body is supported by props to facilatate muscular release and allow access to the deeper tissues making it possible to stay quietly in a pose for a few minutes, ever present to the shifts of subtle energy happening inside.  

This slow, quiet practice encourages the steeping essence of a meditational repose.   During the time spent commiting to stillness the curious awareness of the mind's fluctuations and altering sensations can be observed without judgement and a tuning in to the conversations of body, mind and heart.  

Certain sounds have the potential to heal.  Think of the soothing sounds found in nature:  ocean waves rolling onto golden sand; the bubbling flow of a stream swishing through a rock riven valley; a warm summer breeze whispering through a forest; bird song echoing in the sky above or the hollowing call of an owl permeating the stilled silence of night.   

Every sound heard is received by the brain as a wave vibrating the ear drum.  The tiny bones of the ear carry these vibrations via the auditory nerve as signals which the brain cortex then deciphers.  Specific sounds can slow down the brain waves and enable the body to enter a very relaxed almost dreamlike state.  Scientific studies have shown that sound healing can reduce tension, anxiety, fatigue and help reduce stress. Sound encourages subtle channels and spaces in the body to open and stimulates energy to move, increasing flow, ease and realignment. The sound bath element of this event will entice you into deep rest using a range of relaxing sounds.

Who is this for?

The practice is suitable for everyone aged 18 or over.  When booking, please remember to inform the organiser of ANY injuries or issues, that may affect your practice.  (Please note the sound bath element may not be suitable for those with a history of trauma such as PTSD, if you are unsure as to the suitability of this practice for you please contact the organiser before booking).  Tickets once purchased are strictly non-refundable and require the participant to be healthy enough to attend and not have a contagious illnesses including coughs, colds etc.  (Please note It is ultimately the organiser's final decision as to whether you are healthy enough to attend without impacting on other participants or the organiser.)   In the event of your being unable to attend no refunds will be issued but you may transfer your place to another attendee provided they too comply with the conditions above. In the event of the organiser needing to cancel, ticket monies only will be refunded within 24 hours.

What you will need:

Comfortable loose clothing you can move in, yoga wear is not required.  Extra layers, socks etc and a couple of warm blankets are required.  All other props:  mats, bricks, blocks, bolsters and straps are provided. Please remove all jewellry before coming and note that there are no changing facilities but there is a safe place to leave your belongings.  Do not bring valuables to the studio.  We ask that you remove LED style watches (smart watches) and ensure phones are left in the designated safe space and they MUST be switched to silent for the duration.