Yin And Pins Winter Rejuvenation

Join us for a beautiful Winter offering with the healing power of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This afternoon will be blending different modalities of TCM, combining Yin Yoga and Acupuncture to deeply nourish you in the Winter season.

Winter represents the most Yin aspect in Chinese Medicine. Yin is the dark, cold, slow, inward energy. This is in contrast to the Yang of Summer whose energy represents light, hot, quick, and expansive qualities. The Summer weather is warm, the days are longer and people are out being active.

In TCM Winter is ruled by the water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands. According to the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the source of all energy (Qi) within the body. They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully.

During the winter months, it is important to nurture and nourish our kidney Qi. It is the time when this energy can be most easily depleted. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter rest, reflection, conservation, and storage. Rest is important for revitalizing the kidneys, which is why some animals hibernate in Winter.

The quiet and stillness of Winter allow us to hear more of the world than the buzzing activities of Summer. This forces us to slow down, rest and relax.
The Yin sequence is designed to awaken the energetic channels through the deep release of connective tissue. This allows free flow of chi, as well as for settling any nervous energy and tension in the body.
Our practice will then flow onto an extended savasana where Acupuncturist Dean will provide a seasonally tailored Acupuncture session focusing on the kidney and urinary bladder meridians to promote the health of the Winter energy and to assist with the resting process of this season.

Be prepared to feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and deeply nourished after this workshop. Due to the unique nature of this workshop, limited space is available.

Schedule
2.00a - 3.30 pm
- Daoist Breathing by Dean
- Yin Yoga by Marjolein
- Acupuncture by Dean (pins will be in each student for 20 minutes)
- Guided relaxation during the Acupuncture by Marjolein (as students wait to have the pins they will be guided through a Yoga Nidra and those who have the pins in will join the Nidra).
3.30pm: closing with herbal tea to strengthen the energy for winter – a chance to ask questions to Dean about this session and all things TCM.

This Yin & Pin offering is hosted by Dean Wickenden & Marjolein van Leeuwen

Dean is a NZASA registered Acupuncturist and registered ACC provider. He works from his own clinic space in Albany. Dean is also a qualified yoga teacher in Hatha and Tibetan yoga and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. Find out more about Dean at https://acupuncture.yoga/

Marjolein is the founder of the Yoga Roots studio and is a qualified yoga teacher in Hatha, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Pre- and Postnatal yoga, and TIME Meditation. Find out more about Marjolein at https://www.yogaroots.co.nz/