Yin yoga is a slower, quieter practice, staying in a passive pose for an extended period (3-10mins), whilst softening the muscles around a specific area.  As we soften the muscles in the target area, the joints, ligaments and deep connective tissues (fascia) benefit from a healthy amount of stress, enabling them to open and release tension.

 

“Acceptance: that is the essence of yin”

 

Benefits:

 

• Self-healing
• Balance Chi (Energy): Energetically, when we stress, manipulate and pull on our fascia in Yin poses, this allows chi (energy) to flow more freely through the meridians (energy channels) which run throughout our bodies and connect to our organs. By allowing the chi to flush through the meridians, this unblocks stagnation and nourishes organs and tissues so they can function more effectively

 

• Emotional release:
  • Facilitates the release of previously unresolved emotions held and stored in the body/ tissues (which may lead to disease)
  • By staying in postures that open up our body, we create space to let emotions naturally arise, simply watching this process without attachment.
  • Giving emotions room to breathe allows them to be felt and processed, while teaching us how to let go.

In these long stays, we have time to:

 

• Observe
  Observe our habitual mental patterns, reactions and repetitive ways of thinking.
• Develop self-awareness
  • This develops self awareness through showing us how we tend to attach and cling on to cravings and aversions.
  • We learn to recognise when our mind is restless or lethargic.
• Let go of attachments
  • We develop ways to let go of attachment to the past and/or future, and how to live in the present moment.
• Develop/Grow
  • Harmony in our Shen – This mind training cultivates harmony in our Shen, which refers to the spirit/
    mind in Chinese medicine. When Shen is harmonised we have a vibrant spirit within, are able to think clearly, and have a wise discerning mind.
  • Compassion – Our Yin Yoga practice helps us to develop compassion for ourselves and for others by seeing life as it really is.
  • This leads us towards self-acceptance; a path in which we treat all sentient beings with loving kindness which flows from a peaceful place within.

 

More information available at YinYoga.com, a site created by the master and founder of Yin Yoga, Paul Grilley