What is Yin yoga?
Maybe you’ve never heard of Yin? It was in September 2003 the first timetabled yin yoga class appeared in London – taught by the most humble Norman Blair. It is Norman to whom I have explored, and completed my own teaching within Yin.
Expect a different type of practice to my usual style of teaching (which naturally lends itself to vinyasa). A challenge away from my own comfort zone, which has been profoundly beneficial to my personal practice and lifestyle.
Yin background
Poses are held for a good amount of time (anything from 2-8 minutes), most of them are floor based and supported with use of bolsters/blankets/props where appropriate. The effect of this practice is begin to work deep within the body, rebalancing the bodies energy and encouraging enhanced health of the connective tissues, joints, and bones.
We then take the “mindfulness” aspect of the Yin practice; an indulgent amount of time holding the pose can have a deep effect on the mind by simply watching the breath. We gain awareness of sitting with “the self”.
You could think of this as a meditation practice with additional layers. Different yin yoga poses stimulate and remove blockages in the myofascial meridians in the body, which in turn balances the body’s internal organs and systems. This is based on ancient Chinese acupuncture. It’s non-invasive stimulation of the deep fascia networks within the body.
If this is something you’d like to experience, I offer ‘yin workshops’ held at Lidder Therapies (Unit 7E, Old Hall Farmyard, Priory Ln, Little Wymondley, Hitchin SG4 7BL).
“What is important is balance. With balance, there can be health and harmony; with imbalance, there can be disease and disharmony.”
Norman Blair- Brightening our inner skies
Tips for practicing Yin yoga
- Find your appropriate edge: Move slowly and gently into the pose. Don’t go straight to your “maximum” in the pose and never stretch so far as to cause pain.
- Stillness: consciously try to release into the pose, and to remain still, without fidgeting or shifting position too much.
- Hold the position: start with holding a pose for 1-3 minutes and progress to 5 minutes or more.