In my last blog post, we learned about Vinyasa style yoga, the style that links movement and breath in a flow that builds strength and flexibility.

This time I want to share with you the practice of yin yoga. For a long time I was confused myself about what yin is and when you should practice it. But after taking an advanced course and spending hours and hours in yin classes, I have grown to love this practice.

*As before I want to be clear, I am not an expert and this post should not be used as a resource for research or study. This is simply an overview.

The history of Yin Yoga

(summarized from "Yin Yoga: Principles and Practice" by Paul Grilley)

Yin yoga has been around for a long time, and was the product of a desire to find balance in a very yang world and a very yang approach to yoga practice. While it has been around for a long time, the term "yin yoga" is relatively new, mostly showing up in the late 1980s or early 1990s as a separate practice.

It was meant to complement the very YANG practice of vinyasa or ashtanga styles of yoga, and as a way to recover through the mindful manipulation of tissues.

So what is yin yoga?

Very simply put, it is the intentional holding of poses that compress the tissues around the joints, followed by a restorative "rebound" that allows blood and fluids to flow back into the tissues.

The benefits of Yin Yoga

Because yin yoga focuses more on stillness in engaging poses that creates compression in the tissues around our joints, this resulting "rebound" effect when releasing these long held poses is what gives the practice it's benefits. These include:

🌟boosts circulation

🌟enhances mental focus

🌟balances emotions

🌟improves sleep

🌟detoxes the tissues of the body

Contra-indications of Yin Yoga

Just a reminder that you should check with your doctor before beginning any kind of wellness/fitness practice.

Here are some conditions that may indicate yin yoga is not the best practice for you:

✋pregnancy

✋osteoporosis

✋joint injuries, especially in the hip, shoulder, knee, or spine

✋vertigo or dizziness

My experience in Yin Yoga

Like I said before, for a long time I thought that restorative yoga and yin was interchangeable. So I would get confused when attending a yin class that was intense, because I thought it would be relaxing. So in 2020 I began a training that went deep into the practice of yin, with an emphasis on teaching. With that, I began attending classes regularly so I would understand the practice from the student's side.

Yin yoga has helped me with joint pain and stiffness, as well as digestive issues I've had my entire life. Yin yoga is my regular practice for period and menstrual discomfort as well.

Try Yin Yoga right now

Are you ready to try out a yin class? Here are a few YouTube videos to give you a gentle introduction to this practice:

💜Open and Receive: https://youtu.be/0KBxOmMT4p4

💜Self Study: https://youtu.be/ajKZiTY0QR8

💜Wrists & Shoulders: https://youtu.be/VKbj9HL2RrU

Now that you've learned about this beautiful practice, I invite you to attend a LIVE interactive class with my in my online studio. Sign up for the next yin class by clicking on the "SCHEDULE" link above.