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Yin yoga is a slow-paced practice that involves passive postures held for long durations. Although it's a relaxing and meditative practice, yin yoga can be uniquely challenging, as it requires the practitioner to settle into relative stillness, which can be jarring for those who are used to constant movement.
From a physical perspective, Yin Yoga works by targeting the connective tissues of our body: our ligaments, joints, and fascia. This is one of the major differentiators between yin and yang practices (such as Ashtanga Vinyasa or Vinyasa Flow), which primarily target and work the muscles. On an energetic level, yin yoga can be tremendously beneficial for stress reduction and create a sense of peace and grounding, both during and after the practice.
Yes, Yin Yoga is ok for beginners. It is a practice designed for all-levels and can be modified and adapted to serve complete beginners and advanced practitioners.
If you’ve practiced Yin Yoga before, you may have heard the teacher ask you to "find your edge." The edge is the tipping point between "not enough" and "too much." It’s the place where you feel a deep sensation, without causing pinching or pain. When we come into each posture at an appropriate depth (the edge), this allows the body and mind to feel safe enough to open up and embrace change.
Yin Yoga creates the opportunity to practice the art of being still. Staying in stillness can create challenges in both the physical body and the mind. When one can’t use movement as a distraction, thoughts may take over as the primary seat of awareness. By staying in each pose and bringing focus to your breath, Yin Yoga can create space for a quieting of the mind, by stilling the body.
One of the major differences that separates a Yin practice from other, more dynamic forms of yoga is the duration each asana is held. Traditionally, postures are held for 5–10 minutes, although in many Yin classes, this is often adapted and modified to 1–3 minutes. Nonetheless, yin poses are held for longer when compared to vinyasa classes, which typically hold each asana for just 1, 3, or 5 breaths.
Like all yoga asana practices, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as far as frequency. Yin yoga can be practiced often, even daily, to gain familiarity with long-held postures. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll get with the practice of stillness. It may also be beneficial to be strategic about when you practice. First thing in the morning and just before bed, our muscles and minds are likely to be most relaxed and may be best suited to absorb the benefits of the practice.
By Victoria Maybee; All Rights Reserved @2023
By Victoria Maybee; All Rights Reserved @2023
