Yin Yoga Curious?
Yin yoga is a style of yoga that isn’t as well-known as other varieties, and subsequently less popular and less frequently practiced (especially in the West). Also sometimes called “Daoist yoga”, this type of yoga (or at least the concept of it) has been around for thousand of years despite its lack of widespread use. It is similar to other types of yoga in that stretching and deep breathing are core actions, but it differ in that involves targeting the body’s deep connective tissues rather than the superficial tissues; it is also said to help focus the body’s natural energy.
Generally, yin yoga poses are considered to be more passive than the more dynamic poses seen in the more well-known types of yoga. All in all, there are only about three dozen or so main poses associated with yin yoga, and many of them involve relaxing into the pose in order for the stretch to reach more deeply into your muscles.
Another major part of yin yoga is holding these poses for extended periods of time; most people will hold a pose for several minutes, while others have been known to hold certain poses for over twenty minutes. According to many people who study and practice yin yoga, the time spent holding these poses is not dissimilar to mediation; while relaxing into the pose, both your body and mind can rest and find balance.
Many yin yoga poses emphasize areas of your body that encompass a joint or form some important connective purpose in your body; your hips and spine in particular are common focus points for yin yoga position, many people report having better flexibility and more mobile joints after even just a single yin yoga sessions.
And while the slower pace of yin yoga encourages a more meditative mindset and for you to connect with your inner self and find balance, there are many physical benefits in addition to finding inner peace and increased mindfulness.
Yin yoga is particularly good for increasing and maintaining your flexibility and mobility, especially as you age and your joints become stiffer and less mobile. It’s also good for increasing your overall physical stamina, as well as lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. Yin yoga is also great for reducing stress and easing the tension that your carry in your body from all the worries you accumulate during the day. There are also some cases where the practice of yin yoga has seemed to help people suffering from migraines.
The practice of yin yoga can also help with your meditation skills, thanks to the way holding poses for extended periods of time encourages you to center yourself and find your inner balance.
In general, yin yoga is recommended for practice by those wishing for a deeper experience, both physically and mentally, and many current practitioners suggest practicing both yin yoga and yang yoga (which covers many of the more well-known and dynamic types of yoga, which tend to be more fast-paced and focus on different areas of the body) in order to get as full and meaningful yoga experience as possible.
