The Key to Proper Exercise

I Believe in the Yin and Yang

In traditional Chinese arts, including medicine and the martial arts, there are two opposite but complementary polarities, the yin and the yang. This is seen in the symbol of the Yin and Yang, sometimes called the Tai Chi symbol. It is a circle divided in two by a wavy line through its center, dividing the circle into two equal halves. One half is black and the other white. In the black half a smaller white circle is present and conversely in the white half a smaller black circle is present. This represents the Yin and Yang.

The Yin, represented traditionally by the black half of the circle, is also representative of night, softness, yielding, feminine, and nurturing. The white half would therefore be Yang, representing day, strong, masculine. Just as you cannot have day without having its corresponding night, you cannot have Yin without Yang and Yang without Yin. With the smaller black circle contained in the white half, this teaches us that within all Yang there is also some Yin and vice versa. The wavy line through the center signifies that the change between the two is constant; night is always turning into day and day turning into night, a never ending cycle of night and day.

Many are under the assumption that life is a delicate balance between the two, trying without ceasing to walk the fine line down the center. Walking this fine line becomes a never ending walk of frustration, as balancing the two is impossible. I believe this leads to an unbalanced approach to life. As day turns into night, so also Yin must turn into Yang.

Let's get practical. In everyday life Yin, which traditionally represents feminine, softness, nurturing, should be applied when dealing with a loved one. A spouse, child, parent, should be treated with Yin. On the other side of the coin, pursuing our dreams, completing a task or exercising should be treated with Yang. We all know there are times when an aggressive approach, (Yang) is the right choice and when it is the worst possible choice. Therefore, trying to balance the two becomes a mistake.

I believe a more practical and realistic approach would be to experience the two rather than a balancing act.

A parent, raising and nurturing children could benefit from a self defense class or maybe a kick boxing course. When they are with their children, they should be predominantly Yin. A self defense class or kick boxing, (Yang), would be a tremendous benefit, not just the exercise element or the release, but both. This is an example of both. Conversely, someone in a workplace that involves any form of aggression would benefit tremendously from a meditation class, yoga or Tai Chi. All of these are predominantly Yin.

A simplification would be: anything that raises the blood pressure would be Yang; anything that calms the body would be Yin. Remember, stress raises blood pressure, so anything that lowers it would be beneficial. Exercise also raises blood pressure, but hopefully in a good way.

The goal is to experience both, Yin and Yang. For every 30 minutes of kick boxing, sparring, self defense training, counter that with 30 minutes of meditation, yoga or Tai Chi. This way you experience both polarities, both Yin and Yang. Experiencing both will naturally balance the individual. Rather than trying to walk the tight rope between the two, experiencing both will lead you to a balanced, more content life.

Try it for yourself, if you are a martial artist, for every minute you spend in the gym or dojo, spend an equal amount of time meditating. If you are a yoga practitioner or spend time meditating daily, try signing up for a self defense or kick boxing class. Then feel the benefits of experiencing the Yin and Yang. The benefits will surprise you.

Life is not a tight rope walk; life is all about the experiences.