Christ Yoga / Messiah Yoga · Ophanim Yoga
Browse the full manual
Shin — Mother of the One-Legged Letters
Attributes
The triple head of the Shin indicates that it is, spiritually, of great importance. Shin is the root of the Fire element. It is an upside down tripod which actually stands on one foot and is connected with balance. The letter actually has two names “Shin” and “Sin”, pronounced “Sh” and “S” respectively. Having two pronunciations, it is the immediate precursor in the order of creation to the seven double letters. In the structure of the Kabalistic “Tree of Life”, the three heads of the Shin are the transcendant root of the three columns, right, left, and center starting with the letters Bet, Gimel, and Dalet with their corresponding sefirot: Chesed, Gevurah, and Tiferet. The Zohar [2b] (Soncino Zohar Vol. 1, p. 9) calls Shin “a letter of truth, that letter by which the Patriarchs communed with God….”
In relation to the Ten Sefirot, Shin corresponds to Binah-Conception. In the human body it corresponds to the left hemisphere of the brain.
How to do the letter
There are four variations of the Shin.
Variation #1
Stand facing east with the feet initially together. One should stand upright with a slight curve in the lower back, head facing forward. The arms and hands are extended but with rounded elbows on each side with the center of each palm at eye level with fingers pointing upwards, in a receptive gesture. Then lift up the right foot and place the right ankle behind the left knee, with the toes of the right foot grasping the outside of the left shin. Try to bring your right knee to face all the way right (as opposed to facing forward). To help achieve balance you might first look at a chosen spot before doing the Shin. When your attention is focused on that spot, it will be easier to maintain balance while standing on your left leg. (Suggestion: to do the Shin with your eyes closed try to “plant” your left foot and establish a balance between left and right internal visual fields). In this position, do the inner exercise 3-5 times.
Variation #2
Shake out your arms for a moment then do the same pose switching to standing on the right leg with the left leg raised and bent. In this position, do the inner exercise 3-5 times.
Variation #3
Shake out your arms for a moment then return to the right standing leg position. While in the position, turn the right hand so that its palm faces the ground with the arm and fingers fully extended and fingers together. Maintain as much tension in the muscles of the right hand and arm as possible. The shape of the right hand is like the head of a spear. The left arm and hand should be fully extended. Maintain as much tension in the muscles of the left hand and arm as possible, then bend the palm up strongly at the wrist and hold it so that it points to your face. The center of the palm should be at eye level. Then, keeping the torso facing front, turn the head to the right so that you are looking across the top of your right arm and hand (see illustration). In this position, do the inner exercise 3-5 times.
Variation #4
Shake out your arms for a moment and then do the same pose with arm positions reversed, standing now on the left leg, with the right leg raised and bent, and head facing left. In this position, do the inner exercise 3-5 times.
Doing the letter Shin provides these benefits: greater joy, easier breathing, assertiveness, and greater balance. As a fire letter, it benefits the male’s reproductive organs.
Additional Points to Note
The Shin is like a flame with “three heads”, formed by the two hands and the head, reaching toward heaven. Commonly, considerable heat is felt in the heart area while doing the Shin.
