What is Yin Yoga?

Yin Yoga is a style of yoga asana whereby the practitioner holds floor-based yoga shapes for 3-5 minutes. Yin yoga is distinct from yang styles of yoga, which are more active/vigorous/heating.

The yin yoga practice has a different purpose and effect than more dynamic styles of practice, or other forms of movement, for that matter. The nature of the yin practice allows us to access muscle, bone and the deeper complex structures of our body, called fascia. Simply put, fascia is the network of tissue that envelopes, separates or binds together muscles and structures of the body. Fascia runs from the base of your feet to the crown of your head and everywhere in between. The quality of our fascial network in one area of the body has an effect on the whole, so when we work with these layers of tissue in one area of the body, say along the spine, the benefits are not limited to the spine. For many decades, little was known about fascia, as anatomists discarded the fascial tissues and concentrated their study on structures like muscles and organs. Recently, fascia has become recognized for the fascinating and complex system that it is. Fascia research is now a rapidly growing field in the scientific community.

Yin yoga is gentle in that we are moving our body into a shape, generally a floor based shape, and once we are there, we soften into the shape by letting go of tension, gripping or striving to go deeper. The goal is to feel a noticeable sensation in your body, be it stretch, compression, or even the movement of energy in your body. Sometimes, sensations will feel quite strong, yin yoga can be challenging, in a quiet way!

Our intention in a yin yoga class is unique. Let’s consider the characteristics of a yin yoga class:

· Floor-based shapes

· Long holds (3-5 minutes)

· Stillness

· Softening into the pose

· Props can support your body (optional)

Yin yoga is a quiet, contemplative practice, and can be a lovely bridge from more active styles of asana to more contemplative yogic practice. I love this phrase, that many of my dear teachers have used in the past, "yin yoga is a work-in, it is not a workout!".

My yin yoga training is in the the style of Paul Grilley, including 50 hours of Therapeutic Yin Yoga training with Nyk Danu and 13 hours of Yin Yoga training with Lisa Bayer. I have been blessed to study and sit with skillful teachers and stewards of the yoga tradition, a deep bow to my teachers, including Kaya Mindlin, Andrea Peloso, Katherine Bruni-Young, Jenny Kierstead and more. My first commitment, always, is to uphold these sacred teachings as a student of yoga. In the classes I share with you, it is my intention to hold safe space for you to unwind, heal, restore and come home to the truth of your own being.

Join me this spring for Yin Yoga classes in Fredericton, NB. Click here for all the details.