Yin Yoga Podcast

Yin Yoga & the Earth Element: The Center Within

Yin Yoga Podcast

Show Notes

S 6 | Ep.1 Yin Yoga & the Earth Element: The Center Within In this episode, I go into the earth element—how it’s viewed in Chinese medicine and Taoism, why it’s different from what you might have learned in your teacher training, and how you can thoughtfully bring this wisdom into your yoga practice. I also share one of my favourite earth-themed readings at the end! What’s Inside: The difference between “Chinese medicine” and “Traditional Chinese Medicine” (TCM) Why the earth element is more than just a season—it’s the center The OG (nomadic) view vs. the five-phase theory Earth’s qualities, archetype, and correspondences The role of the spleen, stomach, and “Yi” (intention/thought) How to use (or not use) this knowledge in your classes A beautiful First Nations reading for earth-themed classes Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & welcome 02:00 – What is the earth element in Chinese medicine? 05:45 – The OG (nomadic) view: earth as the center 09:01 – Earth’s qualities, archetype & correspondences 10:41 – Spleen, “Yi,” and mental clarity 18:03 – Stomach, digestion, and earth archetype 21:55 – How to use this in your classes 25:33 – My favourite earth-themed reading 27:56 – Closing thoughts & next steps

Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.

See all episodes at a glance Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library: Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra

Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga @YinYogaPodcast See all episodes at a glance

More from Yin Yoga Podcast

Oct 23, 2026

Season 9 | Ep. 4 In this episode, I'm talking about what it really means to "drop Yin-side" moving past the physical stretch into an actual inner journey. We cover why Yin is mentally and emotionally harder than most people expect, the 7-layer awareness approach I use at the start of every class, how to guide students from distracted to present, what to do as a teacher while your students are holding shapes, and some quotes you're welcome to borrow for your own classes. Whether you're a practitioner wanting a richer personal practice or a teacher wanting to guide attention (not just anatomy), there's something here for you. Also mentioned in this episode: Constructive Rest Should You Use Music Dear Yin Yoga Teacher Please Shut Up Loving Kindness and Yin (Metta) Care Bears Video

Oct 16, 2026

Season 9 | Ep.4

Oct 9, 2026

Season 9 | Ep. 3

Oct 2, 2026

Season 9 | Ep. 2

See all episodes →