What is Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is a slow paced, meditative yoga practice that uses long holds to target the connective tissues. The combination of time and stillness allows the body to relax deeply and the mind to rest. Yin yoga is a much needed counterbalance to our busy and active modern lifestyles, when the world is running at a chaotic pace yin yoga allows us to quiet the mind and body to turn inward. The poses or asanas in yin yoga are held for about 3-5 minutes but can even be held longer. Because the asanas are mostly floor based, use many props, and modifications are encouraged, Yin is generally accessible to people of all abilities. A Yin yoga session is not a work out in the traditional sense, we like to say that it is a work in. We move the body in a way that prepares it to be ready for stillness and meditation. Beginners are very welcome, you need not be flexible or have good balance, all are invited to come as they are. Participants are encouraged to find the edge of resistance in their body without pain and remain in the posture. These long holds allow for your body to enter into the fight-or-flight phase and then move past it into a deep release and relaxation. At the same time the mind has ample time to sort through the distractions of life and cultivate moments of quiet and calm. Yin yoga can be challenging as we confront ourselves and our emotions but most of our students leave the session feeling deeply relaxed and with a sense of well being.