Yin Yoga, What is it?
Why is it important?
The official definition of Yin Yoga is: “a slow-paced style of yoga with postures, or asanas, that are held for longer periods for beginners, it may range from 45 seconds to two minutes; more advanced practitioners may stay in one asana for five minutes or more. Yin poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body tendons, fascia, and ligaments to increase circulation in the joints and improve flexibility. A more meditative approach to yoga, yin aims to cultivate awareness of inner silence and bring to light a universal, interconnecting quality”. This passive style of yoga provides many of the same benefits as active styles of yoga, though the approach to doing so is different. So, Yin Yoga offers physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual benefits when practiced. What IS targeted in the body and the methodology in which it is done is different. The basics of Yin Yoga are this: it targets joints and connective tissues of the body, by stressing them. When tissue is stressed, it increases the overall health of the tissue. We’re used to stressing or stretching muscles, we are not used to stressing joints in a healthy way to make them healthier. We stress the joints and connective tissue by holding the poses for longer periods and allowing them to gain strength and space in doing so. Because these tissues are dryer-less elastic, almost plastic in nature, they tend to be more ridged and when stressed improperly they will break. Yin Yoga provides a proper way to stress or stretch these tissues. As a whole most equate yoga with an active or yang style. Many people are unfamiliar with the yin style of yoga. The Yin style of yoga helps to balance out the yang style which deals with the muscles of the body. It is important when practicing Yin yoga to have the muscles relaxed in the poses as a muscle’s job is to protect the joint etc. The ticket to stillness in Yin Yoga comes in the form of breath. Natural breath leads to calming the mind and a calm mind helps the body find stillness. As there are no nerves involved in the connective tissues of the body, the response by these tissues requires longer holds for a reasonable amount of time. Can be as little as a minute or as long as 20, the average is 3-7 minutes with 5 being the magic number. Yin yoga can be done in one of two ways. With or without propping. Propping in a Yin Yoga pose is considered a therapeutic approach to the pose, allowing for a deeper release of the energy stored in the body and a deeper release into the pose. Using props allows for someone to truly relax into the pose and become still as there is no strain. Additionally, propping makes the longer holds of the poses easier and allows the muscles to relax, which as we said needs to happen to stress or stretch the joints and connective tissue. Not using props is not wrong but is better for those able to fully achieve the poses in their active version. Propped Yin Yoga is NOT Restorative Yoga, although they appear similar for some of the poses the intentions are completely different.
Featured Yoga Pose: Reclined Goddess (Supported, Yin Style)
To do a reclined goddess or cobbler’s or butterfly pose supported you will need some sort of back support OR support under the neck, depending on the variation you are looking to do. Further, you will need support or support, as the case may be for under the knees. Lying back on your support and placing the supports under the knees. Depending on the choice and the supports being used. Arms may be away from the body palms up, on the low belly or you can bring the arms out a shoulder height and bend the elbows with the hands up towards the head commonly known as cactus arms. This pose stretches the groin, thighs, hamstrings, knees, chest, shoulders, and triceps. It helps with upper and lower back pain and relieves stress.
I offer a regular Yin Yoga Class in a hybrid format ( both in-studio and online) on Tuesday evenings at 6 pm. Yin Yoga is a style of yoga for everyone and should be done by everyone, especially as they age. As we age our tissues become less subtle and elastic, our bones and connective tissues dry out as we approach and enter the Vata (air & space) stage of life. People who regularly practice Yin Yoga, myself included, find that they have an increase in the range of motion of their joints when practicing a more active style of yoga or performing other activities. I have also found it to be helpful for those recovering from injuries as well. I regularly use Yin Yoga in private sessions with those coming to see me for help with back, and hip issues, as the poses held for 3-5 minutes on average help give some relief to those finding discomfort.
Can’t make it to the studio or be available at the time of class? We have several Yin Yoga videos available on our YouTube channel Like this one:
I also offer a complete Yin Yoga Teacher Training program for yoga instructors looking to add Yin Yoga to their teaching. Information can be found on our website here