Yin & Yang - How to Find Balance |
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Greetings!
“The motion of Yin & Yang generates all things in nature”
— Meh Juizhang
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This spring our herd has been hard at work sorting out power dynamics, trying on different roles and navigating their relationships. I love watching the shifts and it's fascinating to see how some of them are re-balancing their individual yin and yang aspects — Check out Thelma and Colby in our Horse Wisdom below.
Just like the herd, finding balance in our lives isn’t about achieving a static state. For sentient beings, balance is a fluid, ever-changing experience. However, the more flexible we are and the more in touch we are with the Yin and Yang aspects of ourselves the greater our sense of balance.
Nurturing the strength of Yang and the sensitivity of Yin in ourselves and others is central to creating a healthy and harmonious world. By taking time to reflect on our own natural tendencies and committing to developing new habits, we can generate positive shifts in ourselves and those around us.
Check out our articles below to learn more about the Yin & Yang Energies, how to determine these qualities in yourself, and bring your inner mare & stallion into balance!
Wishing you Balance this June,
Dr. Val
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Are you Yin or Yang? How to Find your Balance |
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The basic Taoist concept of Yin-Yang is based upon the idea that our universe is made up of two natural, complementary and contradictory forces: Yin - the feminine, and Yang - the masculine. These opposite forces mutually complement one another and are in dynamic equilibrium, striving for that harmonious balance that we all seek.
Each of us has our own unique Yin and Yang energies. In addition to understanding and embracing our own Yin and Yang energy, we must work toward an equal respect for our opposing energies, as both are necessary for a fully functioning existence... Read on to learn about Yin-Yang.
How can we learn to understand the Yin & Yang elements within ourselves and use this knowledge to bring about a more balanced and harmonious experience?
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In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu says:
“Know the Yang but keep to the Yin.”
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Thelma & Colby are Yin & Yang in looks but if you know them you might realize in personality they are usually the opposite! |
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When necessary, horses express the Yang, however, they live primarily in the Yin. For instance, although she may not look it, Thelma, our little brown mini (on the left), presented herself with a whole lot of fiery, fiesty Yang energy when she first came to us. Right off the bat, she was asserting as much dominance as she could with the rest of the herd as a way of protecting herself. However, as she's had a chance to create more trust, establish relationships and find her place amongst the others, Thelma has been able to relax into a more natural Yin state (she's still a firecracker, though!).
Conversely, given his size and gender, you might expect Colby to express more Yang energy (right side) but his energy has been generally very Yin, passive and submissive. However, he too has begun to become a bit more balanced, getting in touch with his Yang energy, as he practices being more confident, less anxious and even asserting himself by wrestling with Cosmo and Lu.
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We do wonder if the fact that Thelma and Colby are a couple might have a little something to do with these gentle shifts in their "horsenalities."
Equines are great teachers about Yin and Yang energy. They teach us to live in the present, connect with and follow our intuition, nurture relationships, and be receptive and cooperative, while also being able to bring swift, clear communication and leadership when needed.
They also demand that we bring the strength of Yang and the sensitivity of Yin in order to effectively relate with them. We must learn to be assertive and nurturing, dominant and flexible, intuitive and direct. Through connection with our own Mare Wisdom and Stallion Strength we can create positive change in ourselves and the world around us.
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As a culture, we have tended to privilege masculine ways of doing and thinking over those of the feminine - creating a lack of balance that is detrimental to men, women, and the natural world. Although Yin-Yang is not specific to gender, research has found that there are a number of differences in how men and women operate in the workplace and that respect for and a balance of Yin & Yang energies creates positive changes in organizational culture, leadership & ultimate bottom line success. Learn more about Gender Intelligent Organizations.
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Equipowerment Fundraiser for Lady |
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We're halfway to our goal!
Thank you to those of you who have already contributed to the fund -
We are so grateful!
The fundraiser is still going if you'd like to contribute or share it with friends.
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Our beloved Lady's painful ulcers are back and it's going to take another round of costly treatments to help her, on top of the already large expense of her other, ongoing rehabilitation treatments.
Please consider giving to the Go Fund Me campaign created by the Equipowerment Foundation to help her. Donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Thank you so much for your support!
Click the button below for more info.
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Lady came to Stand InBalance rail thin, with stomach ulcers and severely neglected feet. She has improved tremendously during her time with us so far & as her healing has progressed she has been able to start helping some of us lucky humans as well, through her participation as a cofacilitator in our Equine Assisted Psychotherapy programs.
However, she still has a ways to go in her rehabilitation. Her ulcers have returned after having previously received treatment & improved, due to medication she recently required for her joints, and so we have to do another round of costly ulcer treatments, ($1,133 for medication alone) but we are hopeful they will work again. In addition, we are still working on helping her feet with special orthopedic shoes ($219 for a pair). All of these costs do add up and it's donations like yours that help equines like Lady to be able to heal and in turn, help others with their healing. Click here to learn more about how you can help!
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“At Stand InBalance, I learned the importance of clear intent and communicating that 'essentialness of being' as well as what can arise during the cloudy/foggy stages of life. Coming here was a creative and powerful way to start seeing my patterns. And when we see differently, we can start doing differently!”
~ Jennifer, Senior Director, Sales
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“I came to Stand InBalance for more insight into myself and for tools to change self-defeating behaviors and beliefs. The workshop was insightful and life changing. I allowed myself to feel what I am feeling and learned to release tension.”
~ Cindy, Program Coordinator
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To learn more about our programs
For additional questions
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Stand InBalance Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Growth & Learning
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