What is Yin? In my mind, yin is such a special yoga practice and is quite distinctly different from most styles that are commonly practiced in UK gyms and studios.
Yin is about the stillness, the calm, the dark, the moon, the feminine, the water. It feels like the antidote to the business and the bustle.
A yin yoga practice is about slowing down and creating space. It is so soothing and regulating for our nervous systems, and because each pose (asana) is held for longer, it’s also great for flexibility as the surface muscles relax and we release on a deeper level.
Yin poses are held from two to five minutes or more, so that we can target the deeper connective tissues of the body. Muscles have a tendency to grip tightly during shorter stretches, and it usually takes around a minute for these large surface muscles to let go (releasing 'protect mode') and make way for deeper fascia stretching. During the poses, I will often cue to 'let go a little bit more'. Whenever I do this in my own practice, I notice places where I can release tension that I didn't even know I was holding. This creates so much space in our bodies and really improves flexibility.
Yin can look very passive, and often it is, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's less challenging than more dynamic yoga - it's just different. Settling into a bit of discomfort and calmly finding 'your edge' is a refined skill that comes with practice.
Lots of people might want to fidget and move during their early yin classes, because we are not well equipped in our modern society to just sit with things as they are. (Of course if you are in pain, you have to listen to your body and take care of it. A lot of yin is about finding what is 'good discomfort' and what is 'bad pain'.)
Yin is largely floor-based, so can feel really nice and grounding on your mat. Most classes will use a lot of props, such as bolsters, blankets, blocks and straps. This is to help you feel supported and held whilst finding your edge.
Breath and mindset are a huge part of yin yoga, as we let our bodies know that it is safe to relax. Creating an environment for stillness and release means that emotion often comes up in a yin practice - and this is so healthy!
There is so much research now about stress and emotion being held as tension in the body, and once we learn how to release some of this during a yoga practice, we have the potential to unburden ourselves enormously.
I really do believe that yin yoga is accessible to anyone, because each pose can be adapted to make it more or less challenging. There are so many benefits even from a simple beginner practice, and I can’t wait to bring more Yin to my community this year 🙏🏼
Firstly, I'll be including it in my Autumn Retreat Day at Trebah Gardens in September, and then at one-off classes through the colder months!
See you on the mat,
Em x