YIN ENERGY
Learn how to use yin and yang to
bring balance and harmony into your life.

Yin energy is considered feminine energy. Much like a mother's womb—yin is very nurturing, receptive, soft, and quiet. Unlike yang, yin is very slow moving and contracting—meaning it moves inward. Some common properties of yin include:

• Feminine
• Cool/cold
• Dark

• Yin can be characterized by such things
  as subtle lighting, dark colors, soft and rounded
  furniture, ornate patterns, and earthy colors.

  Back
• Soft
• Curved
• Rounded
• Earth
• Moon
• Low
• Small
• Ornate
• Wide
• Horizontal
• Floral
• Black
• Earth
• Receptive
• Night
• Contraction
• Valley
• Dark colors
• Wet
• Silence or soft sounds
• Inside
• Passive

What is a space with a lot of yin energy like?

An environment with an abundance of yin energy might have heavy carpeting and drapery, hushed tones, subdued or dim lighting, dark furniture, and low ceilings. Yin environments tend to feel "cave-like."

 

If you have too much yin, balance it out with some yang energy. Add bright colors and lighting (especially uplights).  You can even remove your curtains and let the sunlight stream in. Include furniture and accessories that have smooth and/or glossy surfaces.  You may also want to use lightweight furniture and pick stuff up off of the floor.

 

You can balance too much yin with yang adjustments like
hard furniture, wood floors, bright colors, and more lighting.

 

If you need to add more yin energy to your space, then choose soft, upholstered furniture that is heavy and low to the ground. Select rich, dark colors and soft lighting. You can also bring in rounded window treatments, area rugs, and throw pillows to add that soft nurturing quality that is associated with yin.

As always, it is most important to balance yin and yang—people are always much happier in balanced environments.

If you want to add more yin to your space, try adding
heavy drapery, soft furniture, throw pillows and darker colors.