What is Yin Yoga and Why Practice?
Yin Yoga: What and Why
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin Yoga is a deep, yielding, meditative and reflective practice that allows us to target the deeper tissues in the body, our connective tissues, deep fascial networks, ligaments, joints, and bones, rather than the muscles. The postures include a variety of seated or supine poses that target the deeper connective tissues running throughout the hips, legs, and spine. The poses are held for 3-5 minutes to stimulate the connective tissues with slow, sustained, appropriate stress. With consistent practice, we can experience an increased range of flexibility, circulation, motion, and strength. Yin Yoga is a very nourishing practice with profound physical, emotional and energetic benefits, bringing balance to our dynamic, constant on-the-go lifestyles!
Energetic and Meditative Benefits of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga not only works the body’s physical tissues but also stimulates the energy pathways (meridians) that run up and down our bodies, moving our Chi (energy). The practice of Yin helps to stimulate and open these energetic pathways that can become blocked by the stressors of daily life. With our Chi energy flowing freely, we can balance the body’s internal organs and systems, creating more harmony and balance in our lives. Yin Yoga can also become a meditative and deeply reflective practice. As we hold the poses for a while, we can turn our attention inward and cultivate mindfulness. Learning to sit with ourselves as we are without judgement or self-criticism. Learning to sit still gives us a chance to do an “inner inventory” and develop an honest relationship with our feelings and emotions without having to act upon them or add the story. Ultimately, Yin can help us cultivate kindness and compassion toward ourselves.
Physical Benefits of Yin Yoga
- Improved ROM (range of motion), circulation, flexibility and strength
- Reduction of stress and anxiety
- Mindfulness practice
- Calms and balances the body and mind
- Improved flow of Chi (energy) through the meridians, increasing our vital energy levels
Practice Tonight: Butterfly Pose
If you have only 5 minutes in your day to do one Yin pose, Butterfly pose would be it! Butterfly is an all-over opener for the body, stressing the connective tissues of the hips, low back and legs. From a seated position, bring the soles of your feet together to create a wide, diamond-shaped opening with your legs. Allow your back to round, fold forward and pause when you start to feel significant sensation. Remember to release any extra effort and muscular engagement, letting time and gravity develop the pose. Lightly relaxing your palms on your feet or the floor. Head hangs heavy, or rests your forehead on a block or bolster. Once you have found your significant sensation, start to draw your awareness inward, using the breath to carry you to the sensation of your body in this pose. Open and yield to the pose for 3-5 minutes. To come out of the pose, take a couple of breaths and slowly uncurl the spine back to neutral. Lean back into your hands and place the soles of your feet on the mat, windshield-wiper knees side to side for counterpose.
Join a Yoga Teacher Training and practice Yin Yoga with us.