Harnessing the Power of the Five Elements in Your Practice and in Your Life

Harnessing the Power of the Five Elements in Your Practice and in Your Life

Dr Melissa West
An Interview with Dr Melissa West

Harnessing the Power of the Five Elements in Your Practice and in Your Life

Join us as we unravel the intriguing five element theory with Dr. Melissa West, a pioneer of Yoga on YouTube since 2009. Learn how to apply this theory to your everyday life and to your Yin Yoga practice. This podcast will provide some great insights for you on how we might live more in harmony with the seasons and throughout each stage of life.

 

As our enlightening dialogue progresses, we navigate through the fascinating complexities of the fire element season and its unique divergence from Ayurveda. Armed with Dr. West’s insightful knowledge, we’ll shed light on how these elemental associations can enhance not just our Yoga practice, but our overall well-being. But it doesn’t stop there! We also dive into the practicalities of the five element theory, discussing how it can inform our personality traits and elemental constitutions.

Wrapping up our conversation, we steer towards Eastern philosophies and the ultimate pursuit of balance. We’ll hear from Melissa on how the energies of the elements shift throughout the day and throughout our lives, and why it’s crucial to embrace these changes. And for all you budding Yoga teachers out there, we cap things off with some invaluable tips on teaching yin authentically. So, ready for a transformative journey guided by the wisdom of Dr. Melissa West? Tune in and let’s explore the power of the five element theory together!

Yin & Somatics: Lasting Relief for Hip and Groin Tension

Yin & Somatics: Lasting Relief for Hip and Groin Tension

Yin Yoga Podcast
Yin & Somatics

Lasting Relief for Hip and Groin Tension

Ever wondered why tension seems to build up in certain areas of your body, like the front of your pelvis and groins? This episode of the Yin Yoga Pod-practice aims to provide answers to this question while helping you find a solution through mindful movement. education and of course, stretching. We unravel the profound connection between your daily habits, lifestyle, and the discomfort you feel in these areas, developing a comprehensive understanding of these correlations. 

Befriending tension

The goal here isn’t just to stretch these sensitive areas, it’s to help you understand the gripping and holding patterns in your body, and how to befriend them. We also delve into the emotional states that contribute to tension in the front pelvis and groin providing insights into how you might use these techniques to overcome this pain long term.

Props needed: bolster, block(s), blanket

Thoracic Nerve Flossing

Thoracic Nerve Flossing

Yin Yoga Podcast
Yin & Somatics

Thoracic Nerve Flossing

Yoga is a bit preoccupied with muscles, Yin perhaps a bit too preoccupied with joints and connective tissues. But there is another element to healthy movement that is being influenced in our practice, in all of our movement really… that’s the nerves. 

This practice puts the other tissues in a supporting role in favor of mobilizing, and gaining awareness of our nerves. Especially the ones that exit the thoracic region of the spine. We will use somatic and a bolster to gently mobilize the nerves and soften the experience of the spine. 

This is a wonderful practice to return to if you frequently have a stiff or painful upper back. 

Props needed: bolster, block(s), blanket

Yinversion

Yinversion

Yin Yoga Podcast
Yin & Creative Props

Yinversion

We don’t usually think about inversions in Yin. So to introduce them into a mild practice takes a bit of creativity and, in this case a bolster and a strap. The poses will emphasize the hips but our true purpose is to encounter something new, something novel. Throughout the practice you’ll be contemplating some features of your nervous system and learning ways to keep your brain sharp, flexible and vibrant throughout your life span.

Props Needed: Blanket, bolster or pillow, yoga strap, block

 

Yin Yoga Podcast

The Toes Have It

The Toes Have It

Yoga for Knee Pain
Yin & Somatics

The Toes Have It

This practice is all about the lower body. But we will work with the feet, ankles, knees, thighs and hips with an unorthodox somatic lens, the toes. You will be delighted to discover how influential these appendages are in your poses and movements and your knees and ankles will thank you for the attention.

This practice is geared especially to my listeners with foot, ankle and knee pain, but anyone with a lower body will enjoy this unique practice.

Props Needed: Blanket, bolster or pillow, yoga strap

 

Somatic Meditation for Heartfelt Good Wishes

Somatic Meditation for Heartfelt Good Wishes

Neck Pain Relief

Guided Somatic Meditation for Heartfelt Good Wishes

A quick guided somatic meditation to help you to learn how to comfort yourself. I have loosely based this meditation on the teachings of Kristen Neff. She tells us that we and we alone are the most capable of comforting ourselves. In this practice you will offer yourself warmth and comfort. This is a valuable skill that can help us to manage stress.