what is yin yoga?
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin yoga is a quiet contemplative and passive practice, working deeply into our bodies with longer-held poses. It targets the connective tissues – ligaments, joints, bones, the deep fascia networks of the body and the energy meridians. Yang yoga practices such as Hatha yoga or a vinyasa flow are a contrast to Yin as they target the muscles. On an energetical level, the energy flow improves, enhancing the flow of chi in the organs. Our muscles and organs need to be healthy for us to have overall health and wellbeing.Yin yoga also offers wonderful emotional and mental health benefits.
What to expect in a typical Yin yoga class
A Yin yoga class usually consists of a series of longer-held, passive floor poses that mainly work the lower part of the body – the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine. These areas are especially rich in connective tissues. The poses are held for between three and five minutes, sometimes longer. Yin is almost entirely passive, although some Yin asanas contain Yang elements. During the asanas, muscles are relaxed to avoid muscle spasm, which could result from engaging muscles for long periods.
Benefits of a regular yin practice
Origins and History
Holding stretches for long periods of time and other techniques closely related to Yin yoga have been practised for centuries in China and Taiwan as part of Daoist Yoga, which is sometimes known as Dao Yin. Taoist priests taught this knowledge, along with breathing techniques, to Kung Fu practitioners around 2000 years ago.
Philosophy and Principles of Yin Yoga
Yin and Yang
Yin yoga is based on the Taoist concept of yin and yang, opposite and complementary principles in nature. Yin is the stable, unmoving, hidden aspect of things; yang is the changing, moving, revealing aspect. In the body, the relatively stiff connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, fascia) are yin, while the more mobile and pliable muscles and blood are yang.
It works on the Yin tissues – also known as the connective tissues. Connective tissue responds best to a slow, steady load. If you gently stretch connective tissue by holding a yin pose for a long time, the body will respond by making them a little longer and stronger – which is exactly what you want. Remember the principle of the exercise is to stress the tissue so the body will respond by strengthening it.
Yin Yoga requires the muscles to relax around the connective tissue in order to get a stretch, so not all yoga poses can be done safely or effectively when practising Yin style. Thus Yin asanas have different names.
Qi (chi)
According to Chinese medicine, the subtle energy qi (chi) runs through the twelve meridian pathways of the body. Of which these meridians are said to create our connective tissues and so if we can improve the flow of qi, the subtle energy , our immunity, emotional wellbeing and organ health are improved.
Four main principles to remember when practicing Yin yoga:
Yin yoga is a quiet contemplative and passive practice, working deeply into our bodies with longer-held poses. It targets the connective tissues – ligaments, joints, bones, the deep fascia networks of the body and the energy meridians. Yang yoga practices such as Hatha yoga or a vinyasa flow are a contrast to Yin as they target the muscles. On an energetical level, the energy flow improves, enhancing the flow of chi in the organs. Our muscles and organs need to be healthy for us to have overall health and wellbeing.Yin yoga also offers wonderful emotional and mental health benefits.
What to expect in a typical Yin yoga class
A Yin yoga class usually consists of a series of longer-held, passive floor poses that mainly work the lower part of the body – the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine. These areas are especially rich in connective tissues. The poses are held for between three and five minutes, sometimes longer. Yin is almost entirely passive, although some Yin asanas contain Yang elements. During the asanas, muscles are relaxed to avoid muscle spasm, which could result from engaging muscles for long periods.
Benefits of a regular yin practice
- Improves flexibility and Increases circulation
- Calms and balances the mind and body
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Releases fascia
- Encourages deeper relaxation
- Improves joint mobility
- Brings balance to the organs through meridian stimulation
Origins and History
Holding stretches for long periods of time and other techniques closely related to Yin yoga have been practised for centuries in China and Taiwan as part of Daoist Yoga, which is sometimes known as Dao Yin. Taoist priests taught this knowledge, along with breathing techniques, to Kung Fu practitioners around 2000 years ago.
Philosophy and Principles of Yin Yoga
Yin and Yang
Yin yoga is based on the Taoist concept of yin and yang, opposite and complementary principles in nature. Yin is the stable, unmoving, hidden aspect of things; yang is the changing, moving, revealing aspect. In the body, the relatively stiff connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, fascia) are yin, while the more mobile and pliable muscles and blood are yang.
It works on the Yin tissues – also known as the connective tissues. Connective tissue responds best to a slow, steady load. If you gently stretch connective tissue by holding a yin pose for a long time, the body will respond by making them a little longer and stronger – which is exactly what you want. Remember the principle of the exercise is to stress the tissue so the body will respond by strengthening it.
Yin Yoga requires the muscles to relax around the connective tissue in order to get a stretch, so not all yoga poses can be done safely or effectively when practising Yin style. Thus Yin asanas have different names.
Qi (chi)
According to Chinese medicine, the subtle energy qi (chi) runs through the twelve meridian pathways of the body. Of which these meridians are said to create our connective tissues and so if we can improve the flow of qi, the subtle energy , our immunity, emotional wellbeing and organ health are improved.
Four main principles to remember when practicing Yin yoga:
- Coming to your edge with respect to self: Move slowly and gently into the pose, coming to that point of resistance, never stretch so far as to cause pain.
- Stillness: consciously try to release into the pose, and to remain still, without shifting position as if coming into meditation.
- Hold the position: begin by holding for 1-3 minutes gradually progressing to 5 minutes or more.
- Come out of the pose gently and slowly.