What is Yin Yoga?
Yin yoga is relatively new, and yet ancient. It has deeply rooted origins in India, and in the traditions of Classical Hatha Yoga, although it also incorporates principles of traditional Chinese medicine and is based on the Taoist theory of Yin & Yang. The Yin yoga we know today evolved through the late 1970s thanks to the work of Paulie Zink, Paul Grilley & Sarah Powers. You can read more about the origins of Yin yoga here: What Is Yin Yoga? (link opens in a new tab)
Yin and Yang energies can be seen as two sides of the same coin (much like the sun and moon energies in Hatha yoga). They always coexist, but the balance of the two is in flux. Yin is cold, passive & slow, Yang is hot, active, dynamic & elastic.
Yin classes explore gentle, passive stretches, holding poses which minimise muscle activity and focus on the deeper connective tissues (tendons, fascia, ligaments & other connective body tissues). Dynamic forms of yoga may help you gain muscle strength, but Yin can compliment this by helping with range of motion around the joints.
How does a Yin class compare to other styles?
Vinyasa, Ashtanga & Hatha classes can all be classed as active or ‘Yang’ style. A Yin class, however, is a much slower pace, and the poses will be held for much longer. In my Hatha classes, we tend to hold poses for 1-5 breaths, however in Yin classes we will stay in each pose for 1-5 minutes, allowing gravity to do most of the work and help our bodies to unwind tension and sink deeper into the postures.
About my Yin Classes…
Intention
The main intention in my evening Yin Yoga classes is to completely calm our nervous systems so that we can sink into the poses, allowing our bodies to slowly let go of tension, and stretch/stress (in a good way) the deeper tissues in the body. Each practice is your own, to take at your own pace and tune in with yourself. I’ll encourage you to set your own personal intentions for each practice, and to release all expectations when you come to the mat.
Class level
These classes are accessible for mixed levels, whether it’s your first time on the mat, or you’re a more experienced practitioner. All of the poses will be from seated or supine (lying down), and we will use blocks to support some of the poses (feel free to bring your own if you have any).
Focus
The point of these classes is not to achieve, but rather to experience the process. By focusing on the breath, we bring our attention inward to help gain the most benefits from the practice. In each pose you will focus on finding your ‘edge’ (your limit in that pose at the moment of practice), finding stillness, and then holding.
What to expect
Each class will start with self-observation and grounding breathwork. We will then move through a series of Yin poses, holding each for several minutes at a time. Once we come to the final relaxation, you will be led through a guided meditation.
Flow with Ro 