The different types of Yoga series – 1. Yin Yoga

Over the coming months, I will explore the different types of “Yoga” and how they benefit individuals.

I am starting off this series with one of the few I teach and one that isn’t known excessively by the majority.

Yin Yoga!!!

So what is “yin yoga” also known as “Restorative yoga” and how does this seemingly gentle style benefit the body?

Yin yoga comes from ancient Taoist beliefs that the flow of Qi (energy) runs throughout our bodies and is one of the deepest forms of healing within the body.

With every stretch, and pose that we do within yin yoga we release the blockages that are in those areas moving the energy within the body.

This is a simplistic overview of how Yin works really, however, it also gives the idea of how it works.

So what is YIN??

Yin Yoga is the feminine energy while Yang is the masculine, so most seated poses are Yin and most standing are masculine energy forms.

Yang is also what we refer to as “muscle-focused” flows while yin targets your deeper connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and everything that surrounds those areas.

The goal of Yin yoga isn’t to move freely from pose to pose as in the “Yang style” or “muscle-focused” styles in most studios.

In fact, in most yin classes you will find that each pose is held for a minimum of 5 minutes up to 20 minutes meaning you do fewer poses but can be getting deeper than in the other styles.

What are the health benefits of Yin Yoga??

• Lengthen the connective tissues of the body.
• Boost circulation.
• Reduce stresses in the body, mind & spirit
• Increase flexibility

Each of these goes deeper than just these bullet points portray so let’s have a little dip into how this works.

Lengthening the connective tissue, what does that mean?

The fascia of the body is like a really tightly pulled shrink wrap around the muscles and bones within the body, that clear, white-colored film you see around meant sometimes, that is fascia.

When this is stiff it becomes harder to move freely and brings about aches and pain within the joints & spine.

How do we start to stretch this?

Well, a teacher gave me an example that explains this perfectly… take a plastic ruler, bend it over and you will see it breaks easily.

Now take another ruler, warm it slowly, and bend a little every time you warm it…

Slowly, it starts to bend and become more flexible… this is the fascia in the body, slowly warmed and stretched gently and it will increase flexibility and movement… move too fast, pain, breakage, stress, and reduced movement can occur.

Obviously we would prefer the latter.

Boosting circulations!!

This is obvious and pretty self explanatory, by breathing deeply while in these poses that are being held, you are oxygenating the deeper tissues of the body which then benefits the muscles, joints, and body as a whole.

Reduction of stress!

Yin yoga due to its calm nature has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, 

The parasympathetic nervous system helps to slow the heart rate and calms the body giving you this sense of peace and calm at the end of your yin yoga class helping to reduce stress and anxiety in the body and mind.

Increased flexibility.

Again, another obvious one, however going a little deeper with this,

By increasing the flexibility of the fascia and joints the body becomes more mobile and as most are aware the contraction and relaxation of muscles regularly build strength, well the prolonged relaxation of the connective tissues for a minimum of 2 minutes affects to muscles’ elasticity.

Simply put, Yin yoga is known to be the most efficient form of improving flexibility and releasing tension in the body because of the times that each pose is held.

How to utilize Yin Yoga in your daily life?

Yin yoga can be incorporated into everyone’s home, work, or active life, it is perfect for those who have high stress, arthritis, and chronic health issues due to its claiming nature.

It isn’t the type of class you do if you like to sweat, but is one that supports not only the body but the mental health of individuals.

It is a perfect platform for people wishing to start meditation or a neural divergent style of health that calms the mind.

The biggest way to practice this type of yoga is to find that position in the pose and remain still, avoiding any movement if possible.

this allows deep tissue release, once you have entered the pose comfortably and can remain in this position, breathe deeply, focus on any tension, and as you exhale allow your body to go deeper.

A big side note on the above statement, when entering a Yin pose don’t go to the full extent of your capabilities, pull back so that you can relax and remain in this pose.

you should not have pain, if you do, slowly come out of the pose and move into a child pose or a counter pose depending on how your back was aligned.

when breathing, fill the belly, bottom lungs, and top chest (clavicle area) as an exhaling start from the top of the chest, middle, and then the belly…. repeat this for up to 20 minutes and remember to balance out by doing the opposite side if in a pose like pigeon.

What Is the outcome?

Yin yoga may not make you sweat, but don’t write it off as it is still pretty intense, it is an amazing way to clear the mind, get deeper into areas of the body you had no idea existed, and help to reduce anxiety from the outside world that many of us feel.

Next time you see a yin yoga class offered, give it a whirl and see just how you feel once you do.

Happy yoga everyone.

Link to our website to book workshops online https://organichippyfamilyyoga.square.site/

I hold “Yoga SPA” days and online workshops on anatomy, and teaching methodologies along with other workshops throughout the year, some are in person others are online via Zoom.