Seven Things to Know About Yin Yoga
I practiced yoga for nearly 20 years before discovering Yin yoga. I have always loved a strong yoga class. The combination of mindfulness with intelligent movement and alignment is what drew me to yoga in the first place. And there is nothing like the sense of deep relaxation in savasana, or resting pose, at the end of a good, sweaty session. If you practice yoga, you probably know the light and loose feeling, almost as if you’ve had a wonderful massage.
Because I didn’t understand what Yin Yoga was about, I missed out on the benefits of Yin for many years.
To be honest, I worried that Yin would not be enough for me. I was reluctant to give over my yoga time to a class that I felt might not leave me feeling the same sense of challenge and release. I was not interested in a restorative practice and did not understand that Yin and Restorative yoga are not the same thing. Eventually I accidentally stumbled into a Yin class and was shocked by how deeply it moved me, both in mind and body.
In this article, I’ll explain what Yin yoga is, and how you can use Yin yoga in your own practice.
Yin yoga is not the same as restorative yoga
Both Yin and Restorative yoga are slow practices. Both use props such as blocks and bolsters. In both cases, poses are held for several minutes at a time. A key difference is that Yin aims to stretch the deeper tissues, including the fascia and ligaments. Although this can feel relaxing, it does involve a deep stretch and may even feel a little uncomfortable. Restorative yoga is about ease and lack of effort, allowing the body and mind to fully relax without effort or strain. In other words, Restorative yoga is passive.
Yin yoga and restorative yoga are slow practices that often use props, but they are not the same thing.
2. Yin yoga targets the deeper tissues
“Deep tissues” sounds a bit mysterious, but in Yin, this refers to the connective tissues. Your ligaments, joints, and fascia are the tissues that connect bones and muscles. In most yoga classes (what Yinsters refer to as “Yang” yoga), the muscles are a main target. Even the more static balancing poses rely on muscle strength and tone. Because Yin does not directly focus on the muscles, it’s often best to do Yin while the muscles are cooler and less likely to become engaged.
Yin yoga targets the deeper tissues, holding the poses for longer.
3. Yin yoga is a matter of time
In Yin yoga, we use time and breath to deepen the intensity of the poses. It takes time for the connective tissue to let go, so poses may be held anywhere from two to ten minutes. As you settle into a pose, or “marinate” as my teacher Bernie Clark likes to say, you will reach an edge, or a stopping point. The longer you stay there, the more likely your body will release a little more, allowing you to go deeper.
Yin is not meant to be comfortable, but it should not be painful, or cause tingling or numbness. If that happens, move back to a place where you feel comfortable. Never force your body into a position that feels dangerous or unstable. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your practice.
Yin yoga uses time as an element.
4. Yin yoga is meditative
Yin offers a period of meditation, which integrates beautifully with just about all aspects of your life, spiritual, mental, and physical. Not only will your physical body release tension, but you may find that your mind is able to do so as well. This practice doesn’t come easy to many of us, so give yourself time to experience these benefits.
Yin yoga is meditative.
5. Yin yoga is a great complement to a stronger yoga practice
Because Yin does not target the muscles, the bad news is that you will not burn a lot of calories. But the good news is that Yin allows you to go deep into your body, really feeling the sensations in your deeper tissues, and working to release areas of tightness that may be holding you back in your yoga practice, or in other physical endeavors.
A strong yoga practice will benefit from adding Yin
6. Yin yoga is safe for most people
If you have physical injuries or conditions such as arthritis or surgeries, it’s smart to check in with your doctor or physical therapist before starting something new. Most poses are designed to be modified, so Yin is accessible to people of all ages and challenges.
Yin yoga can be adapted for people of different abilities
7. Many Yin yoga teachers undergo extra training and certification
Although any yoga teacher can teach Yin, many teachers pursue special certification to become qualified to teach Yin yoga. I have taken the 50 hour certification course, and found it fascinating and enlightening. This certification ensures a higher quality and greater understanding of the practice. A Yin certified teacher may be more experienced in offering modifications to help keep your practice safe and effective. The Yin Yoga website provides a list of certified Yin teachers.
A Yin-certified teacher may offer a higher quality and knowledge of the Yin practice and philosophy.
I hope this list has inspired you to consider trying a Yin yoga class. You can find my classes below, or check the Yin Yoga website to find a teacher near you.