Welcome to your yin yoga for summer practice! Summer is the season of warmth, joy, and expression. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s connected to the Fire element, which represents vitality, connection, and the heart’s natural rhythm.
After spring’s upward movement, summer invites us to expand, to open, and to feel. But too much fire can lead to overwhelm, tension, or restlessness. This gentle yin practice helps cool and soften and thereby supporting your shoulders, neck, and heart space.
The Fire element is connected to the heart and small intestine meridians, as well as the pericardium and triple heater. When these are in balance, you feel calm, expressive, and at ease in yourself.
Gather your props and hold poses for 3–5 minutes with rest in between. Let yourself soften into each shape, and notice what shifts.
Soft arm flow
Start in a comfortable seated position, use props if needed. Moving on your own pace of breath: on your inhales open your arms wide to the sides, on your exhales gently sweep your arms forward like hugging yourself. Repeat a few rounds slowly, following your breath. This helps release the shoulders and open the front and back of your body.
Neck stretch right and left
In your comfortable seated position, feel your head on top of your neck first. Then let one ear drop toward your shoulder. Rest your hand gently on the opposite side of the head if that feels okay. Breathe into the length of your neck. Slowly come back to center first to observe the space created before you switch sides.
Heart opener
Place a bolster in front of the mat, behind you. Choose the most comfortable position for your legs. Option to keep the soles of your feet on the mat, knees together, or extend your legs out.
Recline over the bolster so that your mid-back, upper back, and head are supported. Allow your arms to rest in any variation, such as palms facing upwards for an opening over the front of your shoulders. Softly breathe into your heart space to invite space into the area.
Rhinoceros right and left
Lie down on your belly and bring the elbows on the mat in front of you. Then, place once elbow on top of the other and rest your chest down. I like to rest my hands on my head for extra support. You will feel a stretch mostly around your shoulder blades.
Between sides, you might like to rest fully on your belly, arms alongside your body, child’s pose, or lie on your back.
Supported bridge
Lie on your back, bring your feet in the mat, lift your hips and place a block or bolster under your pelvis. Let your chest and heart gently open. Arms can rest beside you, palms up. Soften into the support.
Savasana
Set yourself up in your favourite version of savasana. Maybe with a bolster under your knees, a blanket over your belly, or your hands resting on your heart. Let the breath move naturally.
Let this practice soften the fire of the season and bring ease into your body. By taking time to move slowly, feel gently, and rest deeply, you nourish these meridians and offer space for your inner fire to burn steady rather than bright.
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If you’d like to bring Yin into your teaching, this training gives you the tools and support to do so.