Yin - Defined
How do you slow down? How do you shut off the phone, the TV, the distractions, the complexity of life, the noise, the stress? The yoga mat offers the yin to your yang….literally. In an effort to prepare the body for seated meditation and to better understand the idea of opposing forces (yin and yang), the practice of Yin Yoga was created. “Yang” yoga is generally more fluid, energetic and higher energy, and benefits larger muscle groups, balance, strength building and more. Yin is focused on targeting the connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, and fascia) and bones, which tends to be more hard and stiff.
Connective tissue is different than muscle tissue and therefore must be used and stretched differently. In the practice of Yin, you will find the the practice is almost entirely grounded to the floor. Poses are held for longer periods of time, utilizing a variety of props to help your body to gently surrender into the stretch to experience the full benefits on the body.
Why should we practice? Our teacher Dana B. suggests, “We all need balance; that's one of the main aims of yoga! Yin balances active (yang) styles of yoga and exercise, and it counters our over-stimulated, hectic lives. It provides us an opportunity to be quiet and still, which is something most of us probably don't spend enough time doing. So, we can unwind and open the physical body while we turn off all the noise and find some stillness to tune in to our internal landscape.”
Yin is quiet, which is good….until you realize that it’s hard to keep your mind as quiet as the room. We call it “taming the monkey mind,” and trust us — it is perhaps more challenging to overcome than some of the physical asanas! “Taming the monkey mind is really one of the core challenges of this practice,” says Lindsay K. “Practicing consistently, even daily definitely allows for better awareness and therefore more capacity to quiet the mind. I also find that having a sense of humor about myself goes a long way. When I realize that my monkey mind has gone off wandering yet again, I allow myself an inner laugh (silly monkey!) followed by a rededication to being in the present.”
“I keep my monkey mind in check during yin by controlling my breath through counting. I inhale to a count of six and exhale to a count of six. Repeat! This gives me a small task with my mind to stay present and something to focus on when the going gets rough in a pose,” added Gabe H.
Unlike some practices like Bikram or Ashtanga, students will be invited to practice a different series of postures every class. “One of my longtime favorite yin postures is the combination of saddle and supported fish with blocks. The saddle pose stretches hip flexors and quadriceps, which is particularly helpful to counter pose my leg workouts and hours of standing and driving. The supported fish pose with blocks is a continuation of front body opening. It’s a much needed release from my upper body workouts and time on my phone, computer, and behind the steering wheel. It expands the chest and can relieve my neck and shoulder tension. It is a gentler variation than the saddle pose on days when my knees, thighs or low back feel a bit more restricted,” adds Dana O.
The best way to experience Yin is to try it! Check out our schedule online to find a class.