On an energetic level, Yin yoga improves energy flow and enhances the flow of chi in the organs. It’s best to lie down on your back or stomach between each posture for 30 seconds to let your chi (or the energy of the body) recirculate. It’s not about the strength of muscles, it’s about sitting with sensation and learning to let go. We all work together here and whether you want to, improve your fitness, recover from an injury, improve your flexibility, or strengthen your muscles, our trainers will help you achieve your goals. But since Yin can improve flexibility, those who are already quite flexible might want to practice less frequently to maintain stability in their bodies. Think camel pose, which is often held for longer than might feel totally comfortable. Although you should never feel pain, it’s likely you will experience some discomfort as the poses are designed to target areas of tension and holding, so can feel super intense. It’s a complete art because it teaches about the different facets of our being. It teaches you strength, flexibility, balance, movement, and agility. In addition, Yin Yoga improves flexibility, reduces tension and improves blood circulation.
In the body, the tendons, ligaments and fascia are yin, while the muscles and blood are yang; hence yin practices focus on stretching into the fascia. Similar to meridians in Chinese medicine, Nadis are considered to be pathways in the body that carry energy, water, air, blood and bodily fluids around. Yin is an incredible amalgamation of yoga postures and Chinese medical theory of energy channels (meridians)', says de Menthon. Yin Yoga postures are mainly on the floor and are more passive. While both focus on relaxation and breathing, Yin can be uncomfortable - requiring exhaling into intense stretches (though it should never be painful; if that happens, you should pull back or come out of the posture immediately). It also alleviates low back tension, benefits digestion, and promotes relaxation. There's no need to go to your full range in order to experience the energetic benefits. Yin yoga requires the muscles to relax around the connective tissue in order to get a stretch, so not every yoga pose can be done safely or effectively when practising Yin style yoga. While "yang" yoga focuses on your muscles, yin yoga targets your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, and joints. Chill out with a Yin Yoga class that's short enough to fit into your lunch break or while dinner's in the oven.
While Yin is slow, stable and feminine, yang is hot, active and masculine - like Vinyasa, Ashtanga and more dynamic styles. The Yin yoga movement has gained momentum and widespread popularity in recent years, thanks to teachers like Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley who have championed Yin alongside more dynamic yoga styles. I’m not encouraging you to cut out the dynamic yoga, just try to balance all the on-the-go aspects of life. As a fairly static style of yoga, it's intended to be practised alongside more dynamic practices such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga and Hatha. Yin is a slow-paced style of yoga, where postures are held for between three and five minutes. Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" response to life) through breath work and postures like child’s pose and savasana,' explains yoga instructor and founder of The Human Method, Nahid de Belgeonne. Yin has something for everyone, but 'if you're hypermobile in certain areas of your body and already have plenty of space around your joints, Yin must be practised with caution,' says Louise de Menthon, yoga teacher and founder of Loup Yoga.
It requires targeting and slowly opening the fascia to give your muscles space to move and elongate', explains de Menthon. If you feel tight and stuck in your body, yin will be transformative as you’re not working with just muscular stretches, you're targeting the fascia. Famed for its ability to take us from reactive to relaxed, Yin is lauded for how calm it makes people feel afterwards. Sometimes I would hold onto their forearms and feel their muscles, and I’d always look them in the eye. The main difference between yin yoga and other types of yoga practice is the amount of time you hold each asana (or posture). Hold for four minutes. The key is holding each pose for an extended length of time, typically for two to five minutes (or even longer!). 5. Remain in this position for up to 5 minutes. The spiritual philosophy is there for those who want to learn it. This style is suitable for people who are new to yoga or want to balance intense workouts.