YIN & YANG WORKOUT - FitnessFest

YIN YANG WORKOUT
Presented by Carol Argo
aquacarol@aol.com www.carolargo.com
Yin & Yang is the Chinese concept describing how polar opposites are interconnected and
interdependent in the natural world.
Some examples:
Dark ~ Light Female ~ Male Lunar ~ Solar Low ~ High Cold ~ Hot Water ~ Fire
Earth ~ Air (opposing yet complementary
The Yin Yang Workout demonstrates the contrasts through the dance and martial arts techniques
of Jazz, Modern, Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Doe. Learn the essential elements and personality of
these movement forms - giving you options and new ideas for your classes. This total body,
barefoot workout is strength, cardio, flexibility, agility, and balance (based on the Nia
Technique).
Tai Chi - Yin
circles, shifting, water, wind, clouds, grounded, sink, center, blend, seamless
Conscious slow dance, a softer style of Martial Arts.
Movements shift body weight gracefully and smoothly.
Improves ability to remain relaxed, peaceful, and, at the same time powerful.
Promotes grounded stability and mobility in all of the joints and muscles.
Teaches eye-hand motions integrating upper body with lower body.
Teaches use of spine and head so movement comes from center.
Movements:
Shifting body weight using the heel lead. Standing on one foot.
Circulating, push/pull arms
Tae Kwon Do - Yang
force, hard, sharp, masculine, aggressive, discipline, warrior, antagonist, quick, blast
Conscious dance of precision, a hard style of martial arts.
Energetically attacks and defends.
Improves self-esteem and self-confidence, trains body to move as whole unit.
Grounded base moves teach you to kick, block, and punch.
Vocal sound adds excitement and power
Movements:
Kicks - Front, Side, Back, Knee Sweep
Blocks - Upward, Downward, Inward, Outward
Punches - Outward, Upward, Downward, Across
Modern Dance - blends Yin & Yang
tight/loose, serious/playful, high/low, fluid/linear, form/formless, heavy/light, on & off balance
Conscious dance of creating shapes.
Helps you to be playful, free, and expressive.
Improves ability to find & lose balance, respond to movement & directional changes
Freedom to be emotional & dramatic.

Movements:
Sinking & Rising
Creating Shapes
On and Off Balance
Jazz - blends Yin & Yang
sudden, choppy, linear, pulsating, percussive, upbeat, burst, entertaining, sexy, wild, hips hand,
fingers, shoulders
Conscious dance of fun showmanship and expression.
Movements balance the extrinsic big muscles with intrinsic muscles used for isolated moves.
(shoulder shimmies & hip bumps)
Rhythm & syncopation generate physical strength, agility, stability and systemic coordination.
Movements:
Jazz Square
Kick Ball Change
Shimmy
Hip Bumps
Music Play List & Movement Form
Song Artist Movement Form
Throw Off the Shackles Moodswings MD, TC
Sweeter Love Blue Six Jazz
Alba Paul Mounsey TKD, MD, TC, Jazz
Skinthieves Moodswings TKD, Jazz
Rhythm Is Afro-Mystik TKD, Jazz
Freek Shaktura TKD. Jazz
Summertime Chris Coco TKD, Jazz
Kissing Bliss MD
Healing Senses Parijat TC
Resources:
The Nia Technique, Debbie & Carlos Rosas, 2004.
Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance, Eric Franklin, 1996.