Yin Yoga - what's it all about?

In a world of HIIT, Hot and Yang Yoga, where does Yin fit in? Why does this restorative style of Yoga have such an important role to play in society today?

The ancient art of Yoga has gone through many metamorphoses over the past 5000 years. Perhaps no more so than over the past three decades

From the 80s culture of boom and bust, to the noughties lust for liberalism, Yoga has moved from the shadows of eastern spiritualism to centre stage of the wellbeing industry.

With a zeitgeist lens on ‘Insta-ready’ bodies, the most popular forms of yoga are Yang dominant; they focus mainly on muscle contraction and rhythmic movement and include Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Power, Forrest and Hatha.

With laughter, aerial and even silent disco Yoga attracting headlines however, you could be forgiven for thinking that there has been a degree of dilution to the traditional aspects of the practice.

What defines Yin practice?

Yin Yoga calls on the power of breathwork to enable practitioners to maintain passive poses and stretches for longer. Designed to stimulate traditional Chinese Medicine acupressure points, the slow, meditative style of Yoga targets the deep connective tissues, fascia, ligaments, bones and joints.

Although holding Yin poses for 2-5 minutes can be uncomfortable, the more the deep tissues and fascial system are exercised, the less tight and inflexible our bodies become during ageing.

Using the breath to switch off the fight and flight mechanism - triggered by deep and lengthy stretches - is at the heart of Yin Yoga. Essentially Yin practice enables Yogis to take control over their pain threshold, slow the heart rate and loosen the tightest of tissues whilst reflecting inwardly on their spiritual and mental struggles.

Why should I try Yin?

We live in a world of Yang dominant pressures; constant and unrelenting bombardment from social media, work, family commitments, Covid news headlines… the list goes on.

Although the endorphic benefits of cardio and Yang Yoga have their place, Yin is the perfect counterpoint to the stressors of Yang culture.

Pair this with an increase in unregulated yoga studios and under qualified yoga teachers, yoga injuries are notoriously on the rise. Never before has there been such a complementary need for Yin Yoga.

The deep meditative stretching is a perfect pairing to intense physical and mental exertion as it offers balance and flexibility with integrity. Both vital when minimising the risk of injury.

This doesn’t mean that Yin Yoga is not demanding or rewarding however;

Yin Yoga benefits:

• Develops awareness of the power of breath to overcome physical or mental stressors

• Focuses on connective tissues including fascia, bones, and joints

• Improves flexibility

• Increases circulation

• Relieves physical and mental tension and stress

• Elicits meditative practice

• Improves prana flow and brings balance

• Counter-balance to Yang lifestyle

Want to add Yin to your repertoire?

If you are a trained Yoga teacher looking to deepen your knowledge, expand your practice and offer balance to your Yoga community why not book onto our 40-hour Yin Yoga Training Course?

Our next 40-hour ONLINE Yin YTT course runs between 17th - 19th September 2021
£495 including a non-refundable deposit of £295.

Led by Yoga Alliance Professional, Kara Herbert, you will learn the fundamentals of Yin Yoga – the origins of this practice as well as its specific benefits. There is a strong focus on anatomy and physiology in the early part of the course, before we move on to teaching methodology and the effective sequencing of a Yin Yoga class.

This online or face to face course is suitable for those who have already completed our 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher training course, as well as experienced students who would like to learn more about this increasingly popular style of yoga.

Kara is a freelance dancer, choreographer and teacher who has been practising yoga for 20 years.

Watch Kara’s video below

Register with us to download a prospectus where you will find detailed information about the course content and evaluation process.

Learn more from our 40-hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training course leader, Kara Herbert