Embracing Silence by Aviva Tulasi
Yoga has taught me the value of silence. Two decades ago, I couldn’t stand silence—I’d turn on the TV just to fill the space. Now, I recognize that I think more clearly and feel more balanced when I take intentional pauses away from noise throughout my day.
Earlier this week, I was reminded just how much I need those pauses. While coordinating a spring break food distribution for 23 kids, I packed my evening with tasks—picking up dinner, eating, organizing refrigerated and frozen food, walking the dogs, and preparing for deliveries—all in just 30 minutes. As I rushed to gather food for the first three deliveries, the doorbell rang. The dogs erupted in barking. Noise filled our house. I scrambled to get everything into the volunteer’s car. Later, when I took a quiet walk with the dogs, I found I could think more clearly and remembered that I had left eggs in the refrigerator.
If your days are like mine—filled with movement, responsibilities, and constant stimulation— Yang, you might find yourself craving silence, Yin. At first, silence can feel uncomfortable. The mind resists, filling the space with thoughts of all the "productive" things you could be doing. But embracing silence helps you connect to your creativity and promotes efficiency.
This is the foundation of Taoist Yoga, or “Yin” Yoga. Wellbeing is found through the balance of Yin and Yang—the interplay of opposing yet complementary forces. Yang fuels action and productivity, Yin allows us to slow down, settle, and restore. We need both. However, since we often have fast-paced lives, we need to be intentional about including Yin in our lives. One way to do this is to give our bodies and minds time to be in silence and stillness.
I am excited to be guiding a weekly Yin Yoga class on Yoga Garden’s new Spring schedule. Together, we’ll explore Yin with supported postures held for 2 to 10 minutes. Yin Yoga targets and nurtures the connective tissues—fascia, tendons, and ligaments—promoting flexibility and fluidity. This practice not only enhances physical range of motion but also cultivates mindfulness, fostering a healthy flow of life force throughout the body.
Come experience the rejuvenating effects of silence and stillness on Tuesdays from 7:15-8:15pm. Sign up for next week’s class here.
Aviva Tulasi, Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), also teaches Gentle Hatha Yoga + Meditation on Sundays from 8-9am in studio and livestream. She will be leading this month’s Meditation Workshop on Saturday, April 26 from 3-4pm.
