Guest guest Posted May 29, 2001 Report Share Posted May 29, 2001 I also became interested in Taoist Yoga after reading the interview with Sarah Powers and then had an opportunity to take a seminar in it. Wow! It's pretty amazing stuff -- in some ways the opposite energy of ashtanga (well, I guess that's obvious from "yin") and yet extremely powerful also. Definitely worth exploration. <br><br>I also purchased Paul Grilley's book, which is helpful. I got it by e-mailing Mill Valley Yoga Studio, who put me directly in touch with Paul. <br><br>If there are other people out there doing Yin or Taoist Yoga, I'd be interested in hearing more about how you integrate it with a Yang practice. I took a "flow yoga" class the other day in which the teacher combined rigorous vinyasa for about an hour with a 1/2 hour of long-held Yin poses. This was very interesting to me (although obviously NOT Ashtanga for all you purists!) <br><br>All the best,<br>Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2001 Report Share Posted June 1, 2001 Hi Robyn,<br>you lucky to have the possibility to take a seminar in Taoist-Yoga. Was it with Sarah Powers? May be there are some others who want to try it at home for themselves, so, what postures are done in Taoist-Yoga? I tryed to practice it tomorrow morning with some ashtanga-asanas, and after doing that (it was quite really difficult to held them 1-2 minutes, puh!) the ashtanga-practice was really different, enjoing then the flow, the motion, the powerful feelings in the body! And at the end some meditation, great! <br>- Somebody else with more experience?<br>(What is in the book of Paul Grilley?)<br>Lu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2001 Report Share Posted June 1, 2001 I've never heard it described as 'Taoist yoga' (and don't remember reading anything about any kind of physical practice in the Tao Te Ching) (but then there is very little about asana practice in Patanjali either), but ... getting to the point ... several people have recommended long periods in baddhakonasana to me as a remedy for tight hips.<br><br>I've tried up to 50 breaths, 2 or 3 times a day. Something is certainly happening, because it's uncomfortable, but I'm not convinced that it has had any beneficial effect on my hip flexibility. The only thing that has helped me with that was doing lots more work on the bound half lotus asanas during my primary series practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2001 Report Share Posted June 1, 2001 One interview with Sarah Powers contents: "The teacher of SP was Paul Grilley." - Now I'm presenting you the teacher of Paul Grilley, (it is not like in the article: Paul Fink), but: Paulie Zink!<br><a href=http://www.martialinfo.com/Who_is_Who/pauliezink.htm target=new>http://www.martialinfo.com/Who_is_Who/pauliezink.htm</a><br>Lu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2001 Report Share Posted June 1, 2001 Lu,<br><br>I wish I had a chance to take a class with Sarah Powers, but not yet! The seminar I took was with a local yoga teacher who learned from Paulie Zink, who taught Paul Grilley, who taught Sarah. <br><br>But I would strongly recommend you buy Paul Grilley's book just to understand the fundamentals. He talks very clearly about the difference between using muscles (which Yang exercise effects best) and connective tissues (which is what Yin exercise is all about).<br><br>Most of the postures used in Yin Yoga are forward bends and hip openers with some modified backbends as well. They use their own naming system but typical poses might include Pigeon, Hanumanasana (or low lunge), paschimottanasana, janu sirsasana, Hero,upavishta konasana, baddha konasana as well as modifications of Upward Facing Dog, Locust and lying twists.<br><br>There are others as well, but the main point is that it's NOT the same as doing ashtanga, or even doing a slow ashtanga practice. You really want to RELAX in the poses and not hold muscular tension in the body. There isn't any pulling as there is in Ashtanga, more releasing. The breathing isn't ujayyi but you can focus on the breath in certain poses if it helps you to stay calm. At the seminar I took, the teacher used a timer, which is what I do at home. I hold some poses for 3 minutes, some for 5. The only exception is Camel, which I hold for 1-2 minutes (not so easy!). <br><br>It is an extraordinarily meditative practice, but it can be quite a challenge for those addicted to constant yoga-motion! Getting over the feeling of "nothing's happening" can lead to a profound surrender. I also find that a lengthy Yin Yoga session opens up the body in ways I've never experienced in any other form of yoga. <br><br>I think it's extremely sophisticated, and a great match with any vinyasa practice, but not for everyone. <br><br>Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm no expert but I'm interested in sharing!<br><br>Best,<br>Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2001 Report Share Posted June 5, 2001 Robyn,<br>thank you for your very detailed descreption - I think that your words "the feeling that nothing's happening" are very good to imagine what's "inside" of Yin-Yang-Yoga. - I will try to get the book, then we could talk again. Lu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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