Yin Yoga

What is Yin Yoga?  

This question is asked a lot by students who have been practicing yoga for a while but have never come across this particular discipline.  To really answer the question and get to know Yin Yoga requires a fuller explanation. This part of our journey provides a deeper look into Yin Yoga and begins with an explanation of what it is, how it evolved, and its benefits for the whole body mind.

Yin Yoga has the same goals and objectives as any other discipine of yoga; however, it directs the stimulation normally created in the asana portion of the practice deeper than the superficial or muscular tissues (which we call the Yang tissues). Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues like the ligaments and tendons but sometimes moves beyond that to even include the joints of the body that normally are not exercised very much in a more active style of asana practice.

Suitable for almost all levels of students, Yin Yoga is a perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular (Yang) styles of yoga that emphasize internal heat, and the lengthening and contracting of our muscles. Yin Yoga typically targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, lower spine and shoulders.

While initially this style of yoga can seem quite slow, passive, or soft, a Yin Yoga practice can be quite invigorating and opening to the body due to the long duration of the poses. Practitioners remain in the postures anywhere from five to fifteen minutes! Yin and Yang tissues respond quite differently to being exercised. You need to experience this to really know what Yin Yoga is all about. After you have experienced it, even just once, you will realize that you have been doing only half of the asana practice.

Contact us now for locations and availability of these sessions or if you are interested in including this practice in a private one-on-one program.

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