Deep Stretch Yin Yoga

You may have heard the words yin and yang. The words are rooted in Chinese medicine and can be found in Taoism. The word yang refers to masculine qualities in comparison to something that would be more yin and feminine. Yang is faster, stronger, more external and dynamic. Yin is softer, more passive, internal and gentle.

In yin yoga class postures are done by going deep into a pose and coming to a to your edge. Your edge is a place where there is a manageable amount of sensation. This edge is not a place of pain or a place that feels too intense. Instead, it’s a place where you feel some pressure. This sensation indicates there is adequate and appropriate stress on the tissues. This can lead to greater circulation in the tissues and joints. The yin yoga poses are held longer than you might be used to in the more active yang classes. When first beginning a yin yoga practice it can seem like the practice is very slow and passive, but keep in mind that just because it is quiet and simple that does not make it easy. Holding the posture for 3-5 minutes allows the opportunity to explore sensation and the nature of the mind. In this way, you can develop greater states of presence while at the same time opening the physical body. Yin yoga helps to calm the nervous system, and develop your meditation practice during the long holds. Yin yoga is also believed to increase the circulation of Prana or Qi in the energetic system of the body.