What is Yin Yoga?

Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • Jul 30, 2023

Yin Yoga is a slow-paced, gentle style of yoga that focuses on holding passive poses for an extended period, typically ranging from 3 to 5 minutes or even longer. The practice primarily targets the connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and fascia, rather than the muscles. Find out more about yin yoga below.

Yin Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Yin Yoga draws inspiration from the principles and philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The practice of Yin Yoga is based on the concept of Yin and Yang, which is fundamental to TCM's understanding of the natural world and the human body and follows a holistic approach.

Yin and Yang

In TCM, Yin and Yang represent complementary and interconnected aspects of life. Yin is associated with qualities like coolness, passivity, darkness, and stillness, while Yang is associated with qualities like warmth, activity, light, and movement. In the human body, Yin and Yang represent different types of tissues and energy.

Meridians and Organ Networks

TCM focuses on a network of energy channels called meridians or energy pathways through which Qi (vital energy) flows. These meridians are connected to various organs and correspond to specific physical and emotional functions. In Yin Yoga, certain poses are thought to stimulate and activate these meridians, promoting the flow of Qi and restoring balance in the body.

The Five Elements

TCM also incorporates the Five Elements Theory, which associates certain organs and emotions with five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element is linked to specific meridians and Yin organs (such as the liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidney). Yin Yoga poses can be designed to target these organs and elements, supporting their optimal functioning.

Holding Asanas and Stillness:

Two of the key principles of Yin Yoga are becoming still (allowing the muscles to relax) and holding the asana for an extended period of time. Holding passive poses for an extended period (typically several minutes) is practiced to apply gentle stress to the connective tissues. This sustained pressure aims to stimulate the meridians and improve the flow of Qi, as well as to enhance the health of joints, ligaments, and tendons. Most of the poses in yin are done on the floor, with props such as blankets, bolsters and blocks to help support you in the pose.

Connective Tissue

Unlike more dynamic and muscularly focused forms of yoga, Yin Yoga emphasises the stretching and release of connective tissues, which are considered Yin in nature. These tissues require longer holds and a more relaxed approach to be effectively stretched.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Yin Yoga encourages practitioners to be present and mindful during the practice, promoting a deeper connection with the body, breath, and sensations. The long holds provide an opportunity for meditation and introspection.

Individualised Practice

Yin Yoga recognises that each person's body is unique, and individuals may have different proportions of Yin and Yang qualities. As a result, additional props and/or alternative postures will be offered to all of my students as needed, to adapt the practice to suit each individuals needs and limitations.

Benefits of Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga offers a range of benefits for both the body and mind. Some of the key benefits of Yin Yoga include:

Increased Flexibility: Holding passive poses for a longer duration helps gently stretch and lengthen the connective tissues, leading to improved flexibility over time.
Stress Relief: Yin Yoga encourages relaxation and mindful awareness, promoting a sense of calm and reducing stress and anxiety levels.
Joint Health: The gentle traction applied to joints during Yin Yoga can help maintain and improve joint health, reducing stiffness and promoting better joint mobility.
Enhanced Circulation: Yin Yoga can improve blood circulation, allowing nutrients and oxygen to reach the deeper layers of tissues and organs.
Balancing Energy (Qi): According to traditional Chinese medicine, Yin Yoga helps to balance the flow of vital energy or "Qi" in the body, promoting overall well-being.
Improved Organ Function: Specific Yin Yoga poses are associated with stimulating and supporting the function of various organs, promoting better organ health.
Mindfulness and Meditation: The long holds in Yin Yoga encourage practitioners to focus on their breath and be present in the moment, promoting mindfulness and meditation.
Emotional Release: Holding passive poses can sometimes release stored emotions and tension, offering a therapeutic effect and emotional healing.
Better Sleep: Yin Yoga's calming nature and its ability to reduce stress can contribute to improved sleep quality.
Complementary Practice: Yin Yoga complements more active forms of yoga and physical activities, providing a balance of dynamic and passive movement for a well-rounded practice.
Increased Self-Awareness: The slower pace of Yin Yoga allows individuals to tune in and become more aware of their bodies, thoughts, and emotions.
All-Levels Practice: Yin Yoga is accessible to people of various fitness levels and ages, making it suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

If you think Yin Yoga sounds like just what you need, book a session by using the Book Now button. I'd love to see you on the mat with me, experiencing this relaxing and calming form of yoga.

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Cooked or Uncooked? Red or Green? What Ayurveda Tells Us About Apples.

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • 27 Jun, 2023

According to Ayurveda, the Ancient Indian system of medicine, both green and red apples are considered beneficial in Ayurveda, but they have slightly different qualities. Find out more as you read on.

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Yoga for Older Students

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • 14 Oct, 2022

Why is yoga and yoga therapy for older students so beneficial and why do they require special attention? When discussing the needs of older students, we are referring to those aged over 50. You may be surprised that we class 50 and over older, however these students present with a more unique history than our younger students. Therefore it is important to provide yoga sessions or yoga therapy that is suited to their special needs. Along with the usual intake steps that apply to all students, when looking at older students we need to pay particular attention to things such as: injury history and medical conditions lifestyle factors medications aims and expectations Injury history and medical conditions Injury history and medical conditions are important details that your yoga teacher should know regardless of your age. You may not know what is relevant to your yoga practice, so it is important to inform your yoga teacher or yoga therapist of your medical history, medical conditions and injury history. This allows us to provide practices that can support certain body or organ systems Lifestyle factors Lifestyle factors are extremely important to consider when planning a yoga practice for older students. Things to pay attention to include sleep quality, energy level and nutrition Medication Medication can have a huge impact on the type of yoga practice older students should be doing. Certain medications can change your balance, coordination and pain perception. Informing your yoga teacher or yoga therapist can allow them to provide a safe practice for your individual circumstances. Key Areas For Focus in Yoga We aim to maintain a healthy range of motion: Moving the body in different directions - forwards, backwards, side bending and rotation all encourage tissue elasticity, lubrication and circulation. Improve posture: As we age we tend towards flexion, which can create flow-on effects on bone loading, breathing, digestion, energy, and mood. Building the back body and posterior shoulder strength, as well as allowing time in 'neutral' positions of the spine is important. Postures such as chest openers and shoulder stretches as well as deep breathing is very beneficial. Working and strengthening under-utilised areas such as the back and posterior shoulders, the glutes, core and upper body Improving stability and preventing falls with poses that coordinate opposite sides of the body, standing and kneeling poses, foot awareness work and moving from pose to pose are key areas to work on as we age. Down-regulating the nervous system by emphasising the parasympathetic nervous system through mindful movement, Yoga Nidra, body scans, yin and restorative poses, Savasana, breath work and meditation. Cultivating acceptance of the stage of life we find ourselves in is extremely important. This may involve a gradual withdrawal from family and worldly life, to prepare for life as we age. Concepts from yoga philosophy can be helpful here - svadhyaya (self-study), vairagya (non-attachment) and santosha (contentment) There are many tools of yoga that can support the body, mind and emotions as we age. Why not give yoga or yoga therapy a try and see what it can do for you.