Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is a simple, quiet practice, but make no mistake it is not always an easy or comfortable one.
“Making time for Yin Yoga amongst our busy schedules can be the tonic we need to switch from stressed out to chilled out!”
The term Yin Yoga comes from the Taoist tradition. Yang relates to movement, often repetitive movement, creating heat in the body. Yin is about finding stillness and cooling the body. And the theory goes that we need both to come into balance to stay in optimal condition.
The Yin Yoga movement has gained momentum and widespread popularity in recent years. With reports of burnout, exhaustion and stress on the rise, a yoga practice that could help ground you, calm your nervous system and stretch out tight muscle tissue might be the ticket to a happier life. Yin is an incredible amalgamation of yoga postures and the Chinese medical theory of energy channels (meridians). The benefits stem from the stimulation of certain energetic pathways that run through our bodies.
Due to the intensity of our modern lives, we tend to disrupt the fluidity of our energy, which, in Chinese medicine, is explained as ‘stagnant’ or ‘depleted’ energy. It can manifest in many ways, from insomnia, lethargy, exhaustion, racing thoughts, body pain and so on. When we rebalance our energy by targeting these channels, we start to bring much more equilibrium into our daily lives.
It’s also a surprisingly meditative practice that teaches you to overcome discomfort through breath and positive thinking, reducing stress and anxiety. As well as the necessary breath-work that is involved in keeping intense postures for a considerable length of time, yin greatly improves flexibility and joint mobility that will see you progress in all areas of your yoga practice.
Yin yoga is not meant to be comfortable; it may take you well outside your comfort zone at times. However, much of the benefit of the practice will come from staying in this zone of discomfort, despite the mind’s urgent pleas to leave. On a mental and emotional level, the practice allows the body to drop down into the parasympathetic nervous system, and therefore becomes deeply healing and nourishing.
“Practitioners report that it is grounding, calming and revitalising, with profound energetic and emotional effects.”
The Benefits of Yin Yoga
Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Promotes Mindfulness
Improves Joint Mobility
Improves Flexibility
Elongates & Stretches Tight Muscles
Promotes feelings of deep calm, improving Sleeping patterns
Yin yoga was developed by teachers for students of meditation who found it too painful or difficult to sit on the floor for long periods of time. It is no surprise, then, to learn that yin yoga, while being a very effective way to open tight hips and hamstrings, also goes hand in hand with mindfulness practices.
Yin yoga can complement an already active life or help those who feel distracted by “mind chatter”. Constantly emailing, texting, and posting social media updates has led, for some, to mental overload and a feeling that we are not good enough or achieving enough. Yin yoga can provide an antidote to this.
Running and cycling are yang activities. Even some vigorous forms of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Hot yoga, are arguably overwhelmingly yang.
If you focus only on the yang, your body can suffer from fatigue and burnout.
Our bodies are made up of yang and yin tissues. Muscles are yang; so, to be strengthened they must be subject to yang activity (repetitive movement, creating heat). Shorter holds, dynamic stretching (e.g., sun salutations) and running, cycling, etc. target yang tissue muscles. Longer, static holds enable us to access yin tissue fascia and connective tissue. We need the combination of yang and yin to keep the joints healthy.
Fascia is the buzzword in the anatomy world. For so long we were educated in muscles, how to stretch them and how to build them. But our muscles are encased in fascia, a continuous web of tissue that weaves in and around not only our muscles but also our organs, nerves, and lymph. It is rather like a silk body stocking, only it is inside our bodies. The whitish, sometimes glistening fibres you see when you pull a piece of meat apart that is fascia. And to keep it healthy and springy, we need to keep it hydrated and we need to apply pressure to it with these longer holds.
During your practice Esther will provide guidance on how to observe the breath and use this to focus on the present moment, allowing thoughts and feelings to arise but practicing the art of sitting with them and watching them without getting ‘involved’ before letting them fade away. The ‘mind chatter’ or ‘monkey mind’ is lessened and the ‘volume’ turned down on persistent and negative thought patterns.
The hope is that we develop mindfulness skills that can be transferred from the mat to everyday life. When we are stuck in worry or frustration, we can bring the same kind of attention to the sensations of the body and the workings of our mind and stay with them for some time.
Yin yoga is practiced sitting or lying on the floor. There are no warriors, no dynamic sun salutations, and no standing poses. The pace is slow, so you need to wear comfortable, warm clothes. The classes are suitable for beginners and more experienced practitioners alike.
You can expect forward bends with legs together or apart, lunges and gentle backbends poses that are commonly practiced in dynamic yoga classes. But here’s the key difference: in yin yoga, they are held for a longer period to increase flexibility in that part of the body. Instead of holding for five breaths, as in an Ashtanga Vinyasa class, in a yin class they could be held for between two and 10 minutes, although five is more usual.
You might feel a little uncomfortable.
The fascinating thing about Yin Yoga, is that it can be incredibly challenging! But, in a GOOD way I promise!!! Although you should never feel pain, it’s likely you will experience some ‘discomfort’ as the poses are designed to target areas of tension and holding, so can feel super intense. It’s not about the strength of muscles, it’s about sitting with sensation and learning how to LET GO & SURRENDER!!!
And yes, it does become easier and easier the more you practice!!!
There’s a fair, few props involved.
To help you sink into the poses, your body is supported with props to allow you to relax, breathe into the stretch and allow gravity to do its thing.
You won’t get as warm, so wear more layers.
Typically, people wear more clothes than in faster classes opting to layer long sleeve and short sleeve layers. This is due to the still nature of the practice, as staying in poses for extended periods of time will cause your body temperature to drop. Socks, long leggings, and a sweat top are advisable.
“One thing I must let you know is that you may feel a little ‘spacy’ post-practice. Sometimes dubbed ‘Yin brain’, you’ll most likely be at peak relaxation, so try not to plan anything too strenuous post-practice” – Esther.
Please wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in and try not to eat 90mins prior to our time together.
All Levels welcome including COMPLETE BEGINNERS.
If you are unsure whether these sessions will be suitable for you, please don’t hesitate to call Esther for a chat on 416654.
WARNING: These sessions will leave you feeling totally ZEN – and as you get more accustomed to it, you’ll start to really feel the shift in your nervous system!!