Yin Yoga Anatomy Theory

Yoga student Ashley Meyer wrote to us saying, “I was taught in Yin yoga anatomy theory at a workshop that my bones aren’t meant to bend in a way that would allow me to do certain poses. They told me I will never do the splits, but it’s not my fault, it’s my bones. They showed me other ways to practice, and I trusted them. I continued doing my daily yoga practice, becoming more flexible then I have ever been, but with a belief that there was a limit to what I can do.”

In response to Ashley’s experience, I asked one of Paulie’s students who is a real doctor what he thought of this Yin yoga anatomy theory. He replied:

“It is not possible to predict what a person may physically accomplish by observation, medical examination, X-ray of skeleton, MRI or other imaging devices.

(This of course assumes we are not talking about ever being able to bench press a tractor trailer. And this may not apply to someone who has a congenital physical deformity or a post traumatic physical deformity.)

However, the question of being able to perform any physical posture is not dependent on bone structure for the most part, but far more on the amount of time devoted to practicing. I strongly discourage any concept by teachers or students about what can and cannot be accomplished. The heart of the practice of yoga rests completely in the word ‘practice.’ It is not measured in what external physical form is demonstrated.

My response to a student who would ask if he or she would ever be able to do a particular Yin yoga pose would be to practice from the heart with compassion, diligence and persistence and then ask me that question again in another 20 years.

To read full blog please visit here: Yin Yoga Anatomy Theory.