The are some traditional forms of yoga, as I understand it, that are considered Yang yoga and the postures in terms of exercise, are geared for increasing blood and energy flow to muscles thereby developing muscular strength and stamina. On the other hand, there are practices that are considered Yin yoga and are seen as developing and strengthening the connective tissues of the body—ligaments, tendons, cartilage, the joints—all with an eye to opening blockages and expanding flexibility. While I think we understand the importance of core muscle strength, sometimes we overlook the importance of this connective tissue health. The connective tissues are what allow our bodies to bend, bow, stand, sit, turn on a dime, soften the blow of bone on bone. They hold us together, keep us from snapping apart. They allow us to stretch and return to place. And to strengthen them, it would appear we do nothing but surrender, ask in, receive, suffer, allow the stretch in order to clear blockages, open channels of energy—all of which offers us a greater range of responsiveness, adaptability.
In Christuman, as we seek to marry the vision and the action, how do we strengthen and nourish the connective tissues that allow us to stretch and hold in tension the contraries, the polarity, the paradox out of which is generated newness of life. Just as we look to the Yang, the masculine, as a model of strength and stamina, endurance and sacrifice, likewise we look to the Yin as an archetypal model of this essential connective tissue—flexible, elastic, gracefully responsive—eternally weaving beauty into the ever-changing patterns of relationship, guardian of womb and tomb—the protective, the holding fast, the receptive, the holy anima, the voice of water, the voice of place—the alternating current to the fire.
Teri Martin
