3 Yin Yoga Poses for Strong and Healthy Qi

You might have heard people exclaiming “He has tremendous energy.” It’s quite a common phrase. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a person, who has immense energy, is believed to have a smoothly flowing and sufficient vital life force or qi.

Simply put, they are considered to have an ample supply of intelligent, healthy and well-circulating energy. This in turn makes a person more relaxed, calm, straightforward, vibrant and centered.

TCM masters claim that a person’s health is directly linked with the flow and quality of the qi in his/her body. Qi (pronounced as ‘chee’) can be described as energy extracted from air we breathe and the food we consume. Think of it as a great metabolic intelligence. When it’s flowing with all its vigor, all physiological processes work in harmony. When it gets hampered or stuck, diseases and disharmony occur in the body. Think of poor appetite, indigestion or low energy.

Various yoga poses have a positive effect on qi. Stagnant qi manifests various health issues, including stress, tension, pain and irritability. This pain might settle in your joints. Yin yoga gently relaxes the joints to restore the normal flow of qi and helps create stronger qi.

Yoga Poses That Help Create Stronger Qi

Let’s learn some yoga poses that can create a stronger and flowing qi.

1. Butterfly Pose

Sit on a floor or yoga mat. Bring the soles of your feet together, forming a diamond shape between the hips, knees and heels. You can place blocks beneath your knees if you feel the stress. Fold forward and let your head hang. You can also rest it over a prop if you wish.

Now, try to find a situation where your spine, inner legs and outer hips feel a bit of stress. A few people might feel sensation in two or three areas while others in just one. Hold this position for 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Saddle Pose

Sit on your heels or on a block placed between your heels. Place your knees on a comfortable distance from each other. Now, lean back while extending your spine and then, comfortably land on your elbows or hands.

You can also use a prop to rest your back while leaning back. Find a position, wherein you feel a mild sensation in your lower back and/or front thighs. Hold for 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Side Supine Deer Pose

Sit comfortably with your knees bent and feet on a yoga mat or floor. Now, allow your legs to fall to the extreme right side as you slowly let your right torso fall over a bolster.

Thereafter, bring your head to rest on the floor or a cushion. Finally, extend the arms overhead. Find a position, where you feel the sensation on the outer part of the top hip or on the side of top rib cage or waist. Hold the position for 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with the other side.

All these yoga poses can help in creating a stronger qi. With these, you can achieve a smoothly flowing and strong qi that will keep you active, agile and healthy.