Share & Share & Like

What is yin yoga all about?

Yin yoga is a cool and composed discipline of yoga that often gets snubbed for not being fast enough. That said, yin yoga is a process that is amazing and eye-opening for many. It also has numerous benefits for those who seek the more holistic side of yoga as opposed to the fast-paced workout more often found in fitness studios and gyms.

Yin Yoga was created around the 1970s by a martial artist named Paulie Zink. He would hold certain poses for up to 30 minutes, becoming extremely flexible in the process. Naturally, this caught on, and soon yin yoga became its very own style. Yin is the opposite of Yang, a fiery, masculine energy (which would be Vinyasa, Bikram, and Kundalini, for example). In other words, Yin is poise, stillness, and quietude.

A few reasons why you should be doing Yin Yoga:

Why-You-Should-Practice-Yin-Yoga-1

1. Deep Release

Stretching is key in reducing the chance of injury and increasing flexibility. Yin Yoga does this and more. In a typical yoga class, the asana is usually held around 30-60 seconds at most. In a yin practice, the stretch is held for 3-5 minutes, encouraging the release of fascia (the connective tissue around muscles). Plus, circulation around joints is increased. The more circulation you have to these important parts of the body, the younger and stronger your body feels.

2. Practice Anywhere

You don’t need a mat or props for yin yoga. Because poses are usually simple and based more on the holding rather than the flowing. You can do yin yoga at work, on the plane, while watching TV, or even while sitting in bed before going to sleep. 

Why-You-Should-Practice-Yin-Yoga-2

3. Inner Peace

Yin yoga may be a simple practice, but by any means it should not be considered an easy one. During the stretches, your mind must be focused. You have to release tension from the body willingly, otherwise you will never achieve the deepness needed for healing. You will find this process becomes very meditative through the awaking of the mind-body connection. And you will come to understand what enlightenment means over time.

4. Build Perseverance

Stillness of body but a flow of the breath can help wash away stress and anxiousness. Yin teaches you that holding your ground (or your pose) combats what many Buddhists call “monkey mind”. That is, you jump from thought to thought or from pose to pose searching for answers that aren’t there. Instead, with yin, you are forced to stay steadfast in the face of challenges.

Why-You-Should-Practice-Yin-Yoga-3

5. Well Being

You may have heard of chakras, but what about an energy known as “qi”? Like chakra energy, qi flows throughout the body and concentrates in meridians. When energy moves through these points with ease, organs function optimally, immunity is elevated, and emotions are more balanced. Think of yin yoga as the meditative version of acupuncture. Especially since the healing properties also improve stamina and slow signs of aging.

Why-You-Should-Practice-Yin-Yoga-4

No, Yin Yoga is not restorative yoga. The beauty of Yin is the quiet composure that the mind and body receive from a practice.

While you do not have to completely delve into the world of Yin, it is beneficial to understand the balance it provides along side more fast-paced Yang practices. Not only can yin yoga broaden your yoga practice but it can also bring greater benefit to each pose that you hold. Try it out and see the advantages for yourself!

Share & Share & Like