At Yoga Body Shop we are here to help every yogi find balance in their yoga practice. We find Yin Yoga to be a perfect complement to the variety of classes we offer to our community. Vinyasa-based practices are often described as a Yang practice. Having both Yin and Yang integrated into a yoga practice, yogis have the opportunity to create a balance within their energy systems and experience a unique sense of calmness felt both physically and mentally. Read on to learn what can one expect during a Yin Yoga class, and the benefits.
Compared to the more familiar “yang” practices—hatha, flow and power-style classes—Yin Yoga classes have a much slower pace. Often called the yoga of the joints, Yin Yoga’s emphasis is not on the muscles but on the deep connective tissue. Yin postures are primarily passive in nature and held anywhere from one minute to five minutes, based on experience and ability of the yogi. The postures are geared toward maintaining the health and fluidity of the joints and balance the body’s energies.
There are many physical benefits to incorporating Yin Yoga into your regular yoga practice, such as an increase in circulation, improved flexibility, and a revitalization of the tissues of the body. However, the mental health benefits are also significant are often more of the challenge in Yin Yoga. These include:
- Melt Your Stress Away: In a world of deadlines and appointments, pandemic fallout, and an increased pressure in finding work life balance, we need to find a way to switch it all off. When doing Yin Yoga, you are doing just that. You are giving yourself time to do nothing other an “just breathe” and to slow your mind down.
- Love Yourself Again: Yin Yoga calms the nervous system and provides a space for the body to completely relax. It allows you to recover and nourish yourself. You will find that you are thanking yourself for being you, developing a love for yourself. Yin Yoga helps you reconnect with your body in a gentle and considerate way.
- Find Self-Intimacy Again: Yin Yoga allows you to get intimate with your feelings, sensation and emotions in a way that a faster paced class may allow you to overlook. In a Yin Yoga class, you slow everything down allowing for recognition of your thoughts. You have the ability to see your thoughts, experience your thoughts and truly digest their meaning versus having them race through your mind. You will find that you are present in the moment and more easily practice gratitude, bringing you one step closer to your authentic self.
No matter your current yoga journey, beginner or dedicated power yogi, the instructors at Yoga Body Shop believe Yin Yoga will offer a will offer a great balance to your yoga practice. As a beginner, Yin Yoga can be a tool to improve the meditative state of your practice. For those dedicated to powering through a hot yoga class, Yin Yoga can offer a more meditative counterpart to round out your practice. Challenge yourself today, join a Yin Yoga class this week. Check out our schedule for options or book a class now.
