Time To Slow It Down (Yin Yoga 101)
Yin Yoga 101
I’ve recently been teaching more Yin Yoga classes in Shanghai and realized that what seems to be an “easy” practice to an outside observer actually can be quite challenging for the practitioner. Especially for people who live a busy, high paced lifestyle in a big city, the Yin Yoga practice is certainly not easy but can be SO beneficial in many many ways! So here I decided to introduce my readers to Yin Yoga and hope that every now and then you’ll spend some time with this practice.
What is Yin Yoga?
In a Yin Yoga practice, we target the deep connective tissues of the body. This style is a much more passive practice compared to Yang styles of yoga like Vinyasa and Hatha. In Yin Yoga, we are asked to keep the body relaxed while holding each posture so that the muscles can really soften. Often students who practice Yang styles of yoga think that Yin Yoga is “too easy” but really the challenge is there, just in a different way. This practice is slow and intimate. The challenge can arise when we start to feel different emotions and sensations that start to appear as we hold each posture for a longer time. The first instinct and reaction might be to run away and avoid these sensations all together but with practice, we learn to observe and deal with these feelings. Similar to meditation, we learn to be still. We learn NOT to be afraid of the slow moments.
When should I practice Yin Yoga?
There are many answers to this question so I will just share with you about when I personally will do a Yin practice.
- Before bed. Not every night of course but just on the days I want to release some tension before going to sleep but don’t have the energy for a more vigorous practice. I also find that it is such a great way to calm the mind before going to sleep. Do you ever lay in bed thinking of the million items on your to-do list and end up staying awake for hours?? If you answered yes, then I encourage to give Yin Yoga a try, in your room, before sleeping tonight!
- During the hectic moments of life. Hectic can mean a lot of things. This can be the days when you’re busy busy busy jumping from one meeting to the next. Or it can be the days when you’re feeling uneasy and stressed. Travel days can also feel hectic for me so I also find time for a bit of Yin Yoga after a long day of traveling. This practice helps to balance out those hectic, fiery, and very Yang energy type of days, bringing stillness to the moments of chaos.
How do I practice Yin Yoga?
There are 4 principles to follow when practicing Yin Yoga.
1. Find a variation of the posture where the sensation is mild. There should not be pain.
2. Remain still in the posture and relax. We should not have to apply any excessive force.
3. Hold each pose for a period of time. This can be anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes per posture but personally I like to stick to 5 minutes per posture.
4. Release each pose very gently. Due to the extra long holding time of each pose, the body will feel a bit fragile so move gently.
Check out this page for some examples of Yin Yoga postures you can try at home:
https://www.with-yinyoga.com/yin-yoga-poses
I’ve only scratched the surface here and I still have so much more to learn about Yin Yoga but I hope this little bit of introduction to the practice gives you something to put into your little yoga pocket. For me personally I enjoy Yin Yoga more for the mindfulness aspect of the practice rather than the physical. Give it a try and explore for yourself!