Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a holistic practice that improves our overall wellbeing: physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically.
We can support healthy functioning of our physical body through releasing tension. At the same time we can cultivating spaciousness and peace within.
Optimum health is a state of equilibrium, and ill-health comes from imbalance or dis-ease within the body. Many of us suffer from chronic stress, living constantly in the fight or flight mode. Sooner or later we will become depleted to the point of illness.
Yin Yoga offers us a way of restoring balance as an anti-dote to the yang way in which many of us live.
Physical benefits
One of the distinctive principles of Yin Yoga is that asana ‘postures’ are held for a long time.
At the same time, muscles are relaxed in order to target stretching of deeper connective tissue, including ligaments, tendons and fascia. We can mobilise and exercise the joints to avoid degeneration.
The production of synovial fluid in the joint capsule and hyaluronic acid within the fibres of the tissues is stimulated in order to support elasticity.
Our physical state has a direct effect on our state of mind and vice versa, so tension release in the body is followed by a calming of the mind.
Mental benefits
Yin Yoga allows us to switch from the sympathetic nervous system to the para-sympathetic nervous system, in other words, from the accelerator to the brake.
Stress leads to muscle tension and holding within the body, but also within the mind, causing us to cling to ideas and repetitive thought patterns.
The benefits that de-stressing and slowing down are myriad: from better sleep, improved digestive and heart health, to a calmer and less frazzled mind.
When we really let go, we are allowing ourselves the possibility of being new in every moment, of changing habits both physical and mental.
What to expect from a Yin Yoga class
Yin Yoga encourages introspection, inner discernment, subtle awareness and a refining of the mind. Our practice not only supports our physical health but also offers many valuable insights that we can apply to the rest of our lives off our yoga mat.
The slow release of the Yin postures is not always easy. We have to cultivate patience, to keep returning to the breath, to the rise and fall of the belly in order to soften the tissues of the body and the chatter of the mind. Through compassionate and intuitive ‘listening’ to the body and trusting of its innate wisdom, we can release and heal.
On an energetic level, Yin Yoga stimulates the flow of Qi (life force) in order to aid healing by shifting stagnation and nourishing the body.
“I look forward to yoga each week with Anna. She is a skilled and knowledgeable teacher with a nurturing and healing presence.”
– MELISSA, core energetics practitioner –