YIN YANG
By Lyra Joy Almoite
UNDERSTANDING BALANCE ON A DEEPER LEVEL AND EMBODYING YIN YANG IN LIFE
You have probably seen the Yin-Yang symbol quite a few times in your life, but what does it mean?
YIN YANG, WHAT IS IT?
Associated with Chinese cultures, practices, and traditions, the Yin and Yang are a concept with roots in Daoism, a religion born in China. The word Yin means ”shady side,” while the word Yang means “sunny side,” which already tells us that the concept of Yin and Yang has to do with the opposites.
The Yin and Yang depicts two opposing forces, but it shouldn’t be confused with conflict. It’s very common in western culture to think about life vs. death, good vs. evil, and light vs. dark. This language instills the idea that we should cultivate the good and destroy the bad. However, Yin and Yang doesn’t destroy or cultivate–it balances and co-exists, like day and night, man and woman, and life and death.
However, Yin and Yang is about more than the static existence of the opposites. Yin and Yang tells us about the differences and opposites that co-exist peacefully and harmoniously. It is about a constantly changing and balancing of differences and opposites. Yin and Yang is a cycle. It is about concepts that are technically opposites, but are also continuously complementing each other as they transition. It is the flow of the universe.
YIN: FEMININE CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES
Yin is the feminine and passive, the shady side of the hill, the stillness and the silence. In regards to lifestyle, Yin is the peace of mind and balance we are all looking for in Yang lifestyles. However, it could also be the illness you fall into after pushing your limits by working too hard. Yin exists in everything—all of us, our daily lives, in the environment. It is our conscious and continuous approach to balance our lives. It is the softer, slower and less physical movements and activities.
Yin can be observed in yoga and tai chi. It is not aimed to make someone tired, burn calories, or lose weight, but instead to find focus, lower blood pressure, promote calmness, and enhance mood to find balance. To keep our balance, nourishing our Yin energy is essential and it can be done in the simplest ways, like eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, slowing down, taking a break or enjoying vacations. Studies show that taking a break and going for a vacation just to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet is proven to improve our Yin energies and way of life.
YANG: MASCULINE CONCEPTS AND ACTIVITIES
Yang is on the opposite side of the Yin. Yang is the masculine, active, warm, light, receptive counterpart of the Yin. Like the Yin, Yang also exists in all of us, within us and around us. Yang is the success we are all striving for. It is the daily rat-race in life, chasing deadlines, and advancing our careers. It is the sunny side of the mountain, the movement, the action and the creative energy. Yang is the energy that takes motion, and the energy that gets things done.
Yang is you getting out of bed in the morning, staying active, and engaged; it is you moving at a faster pace and finding the balance of your forward centripetal speed. In our day-to-day life, Yang is easy to abuse, by overworking or engaging in intense physical activities and pressure. Often, we don’t feel as though we are abusing our Yang energy, but we are.
BALANCING OF YIN AND YANG
Yin and Yang co-exist with one another. They are a part of the same system and removing one is as good as removing the whole system. Without Yin, there would be no Yang. One’s existence gives the other meaning. You wouldn’t even appreciate the Yin or Yang without the other.
Both are important and should be given equal focus and attention. As much as we all work hard to achieve success, we all have to take a break and slow down to keep our balance, or our bodies, minds, and souls will eventually pay the price. If we keep working our Yang non-stop, eventually falling sick, it will be our body’s way of making us slow down and nurture our Yin energy. It is a cycle. That is how the universe works.
The way to achieve a Yin and Yang balance is a conscious effort and not always easy. At Natural Detox in Koh Samui we provide good food to fuel your body, a safe space to explore your inner self and practitioners full of wisdom and knowledge from different cultures to help guide you onto a successful path of balance. Check out our Ying and Yang detox packages: Yang is cardio and strength training and Yin is the day trip, rest days, daily massage, yoga and stretching … they offer a balanced programme, yet still achieve great results.
Work hard if you must, but feed your body with good food to fuel your day and get enough rest. Avoid toxic relationships. Stay in a job that you enjoy and that brings out the best in you. Explore, travel, and see the world. Nurture your mind with wisdom and knowledge from different cultures and practices. Live a healthy life, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Natural Detox Center can help you learn how. At the end of the day, you need to make choices that feed both the Yin and the Yang. It’s all about balance.
