The Power of Yin Yoga

I’m currently doing another Yin Yoga teacher training, and while most of you might know me for my Power Vinyasa classes and my personal Ashtanga practice, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a bit about this practice.

Yin Yoga is derived from traditional Hatha Yoga poses but with different intentions. While in Hatha we work the muscles and usually stay in the poses for a couple of breaths, in Yin Yoga we deeply relax into the posture and stay there for a few minutes (sometimes up to 10!). This practice is deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While holding the poses, we stimulate the meridians, bringing the body into balance. Over time, this not only helps develop flexibility and work the deep fascia but also supports healing emotional and physical issues connected to these energy pathways.

But apart from the physical benefits, Yin Yoga also works on the mind. During practice, we can access a state of deep rest that helps us recover from stress and anxiety, and it cultivates a sense of calm and clarity. (Think of it as a reset for the nervous system!)

I started practicing Yin Yoga about three years ago, and now that I’m doing my second training, I can see how much my practice has changed. At the beginning, it was really difficult for me to stay in the postures for such a long time, but now I can surrender much more and direct my attention to my breath or the target area. This has really deepened my practice, and I can see its effects off the mat too. In Yin, we learn to stay with the uncomfortable, to always come back to the present moment, and to listen to our bodies.

Have you tried Yin Yoga? Let me know about your experiences! If you want to give it a try, I have a Yin Yoga workshop coming up in December. Details below.

Love,
Gregor