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 “Between stimulus and response, there is a space and, in that space, lies our power and our freedom”

- Victor Frankl

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Yin Yoga offers a space to slow down, nourish the nervous system and take a moment to pause amidst our busy lives. 

This class involves holding poses for a longer period of time (3-10 minutes) in order to connect to the deep layers of the body, heart, and mind.

 

Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues in the body including the tendons, ligaments, fascia. 

Yin Yoga helps to ease off deeply held tensions in the physical body, release stagnant or blocked energy as well as emotions. 

 

This practise is an opportunity to reduce stress, restore balance,  rediscover the art of slowing down and connect with yourself. 

"Yin Yoga is like a conversation with your body; listen carefully, and you'll learn profound truths."

- Paul Grilley

YIN YOGA BENEFITS

  • Holding the poses for long periods increases circulation into the joints and improves joint mobility.

  • Strengthens the ligaments

  • Releases fascia which helps to increase range of motion, release physical and emotional tension  

  • Calms and balances the mind and body  

  • Reduces stress and anxiety 

  • Encourages deeper relaxation 

  • Improves sleep 

  • Stimulates the internal organs  

  • Cultivates self-awareness 

  • Helps us to connect our true self, our “atman” or the soul within.  

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"Yin Yoga is the gentle path to self-discovery, healing, and inner peace."

 - Paul Grilley

WHAT IS YIN YOGA? 

It’s believed that Yin Yoga originated in China, but the practice is in fact deeply rooted in the tradition of Classical Hatha Yoga. Originally, Hatha Yoga involved long holds (up to 10 mins) and was used by monks to keep their bodies healthy and as a a practise of self discipline .

However, when famous yogis like Swami Sivananda introduced it to oridinary people, the duration of the holds was adjusted to 1-3 minutes in order to make it more accessible.

 

Yin Yoga focuses on passive (yin) postures which reduce muscle activity and stretch the connective tissues.

 

Yin invites you to settle into a pose, often supported by props such as cushions and bolsters. The Yin postures are similar to Hatha Yoga asanas, however they have been renamed to make a distinction.  Paul Grilley, who developed this practise, did so for his students who were practising active forms of yoga such as Vinyasa. 

The concept of Yin and Yang is rooted in the Taoist philosophy where yin and yang represent the opposite and complementary principles in nature. In Hatha Yoga, we talk about Ida (Yin) and Pingala (Yang) to describe the same principle. 

 

Yin is stable, soft, passive, cold. Associated with hidden aspect of things, moon, femininity, heavy and night.  

 

Yang is changing, hard, active, hot. Associated with the revealing aspect of things, masculine, light and day.

In our body, the relatively stiff connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, fascia) are considered yin, while the more mobile muscles and blood are considered yang.

 

In Yin Yoga we work on the yin tissues – the connective tissues, which respond best to a slow, steady load.

The long holds in yin yoga stress the connective tissue and make the body respond by making it stronger and longer. Holding the poses for a long period reduces muscle activity and stretches the connective tissues.

 

One of the tissues we work with in Yin Yoga is fascia. Fascia is a a web of connective tissue that integrates in the entire body, it surrounds other tissues and organs protecting them and reducing friction.

In our busy and stressful world, our fascia can become tight causing pain and decreased range of motion. Fascia is said to be holding any emotional stress and tensions. Yin yoga provides space to release that tension and constriction in the fascia supporting our emotional wellbeing as well. 

"Yin Yoga is the gentle path to self-discovery, healing, and inner peace."

 - Paul Grilley

"Through Yin, we learn the art of self-compassion and self-acceptance."

- Sarah Powers

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NEXT UNWIND FRIDAY WITH YIN YOGA

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