What is Yin Yoga
A practice of self-nurture and care, a space to arrive, observe, grow and look towards.
Yin Yoga practice offers a space to slow down, to breath, and simply arrive as we are. In Yin we invite the body to soften and yield, we settle into poses or shapes for longer periods, finding our edge, a place where there may be some sensation or a little tension, but no pain. From here we aim to practice stillness for a few minutes.
Yin is a quiet complement to the more active Yang styles of yoga. Instead of effort and movement, we explore patience, by holding poses for longer periods, finding space, taking time to arrive, pause, breath, bring and feel energy, respond, trust, find kindness, nurture, to allow and just to be.
As we rest in shapes, anchor and slow the breath, activating the parasympathetic nervous system the “rest and restore” state, here a sense of stillness can arise. In this space as we pause, breath, soften and reset allowing the body to respond in a deeply restorative way. Gradually these subtle messages touch ligaments, joints, fascia, connective tissue that weaves throughout the body and begin to release and unwind.
Generally, in life we are all moving too quickly, perhaps taking the small things for granted, Yin is a practice that that helps us to pause, contemplate, see the bigger picture, be able to see what is, and as we step onto the mat, “please know it’s so much more than that.”
Yin practice gives us time to pause in a busy world, through mindful movement, breath and awareness we can create the conditions for the body and mind to let go of unnecessary tension. In this quite space, an invitation to find, harmony and ease, to return to life more balanced, open and present, feeling more connected to ourselves and others.
To Quote one of my favourite poets John O’Donohue:-
“May we find calm in the midst of storms, clarity in the midst of chaos, and may our spirit never lose sight of the beauty and wonder of life.”
Come and join me on the Mat – here together we can enjoy this immersive practice, arriving just as you are, a journey to explore your internal landscape.