The concept of Yin and Yang is utilized heavily in Chinese medicine and various forms of Asian bodywork. It is essentially a way of viewing something (body part, aspect of nature, time of day, etc.) in relation to something else. We can say that the night is more yin than the day, but we cannot say that night is simply yin. Yin does not exist without yang, and vice versa. They create each other, control each other, and transform into each other.
Yin is known as “the shaded side of the slope” and is considered feminine. Aspects of Yin include: cool, dark, calm, passive, inward, and receptive. Yang is exactly the opposite, “the sunny side of the slope” and more masculine. Yang aspects are hot, light, active, outward, and moving. We all have aspects of both Yin and Yang, and ideally they are fairly balanced within us, though our nature is to lean more toward one than the other.
Understanding Yin and Yang can help us to choose foods and activities that help us stay in balance. A very Yin person would benefit from spicy foods and dance classes, while a very Yang person could use more fruits and meditation. Which type of person are you?