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What is Yin Yoga?
- Kit Souther
- Jan 6, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 29, 2023
Your Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: Everything You Need to Know
Recently, yin yoga has become a tending topic in the sphere of yoga. So what exactly is yin yoga, where did it start, who created it, and why is it beneficial to regularly practice it? In this guide to yin yoga we will explore all of these questions, plus more.
My name is Kit Souther. I specialise in yin yoga, and I'm a certified yoga therapist. I've been practicing yoga and meditation for 12 years, and in this article we'll dive deep in to the history and benefits of yin yoga. I know it can be tricky finding all the information about a specific topic in one place. Therefore, I'll do my best to answer and cover all the basic information regarding Yin yoga. If you'd like to learn more in-depth about Yin Yoga, I will also include links to books and other resources to deepen your personal practice.
Are you ready to learn all about Yin Yoga and how it can enhance your life?
Yin Yoga Index:
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin yoga is a form of yoga that focuses on holding passive poses for extended periods of time in order to target the deep connective tissues in the body, such as the ligaments and fascia. These poses are typically held for three to five minutes, and are often done on the floor using props such as blankets, blocks, and straps to support the body and allow for a deep release of tension.
The practice of yin yoga is believed to have originated in China and is closely tied to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body as a system of interconnected channels through which energy, or qi, flows. In this context, yin yoga is seen as a way to nourish and balance the flow of qi by releasing blockages and tension in the connective tissues.
One of the main goals of yin yoga is to cultivate stillness and relaxation in the body and mind.
"The point of yoga practices is to enter into a meditative state from which realization or liberation may arise." -Yinsights, by Bernie Clark
The long holds in the poses allow the practitioner to sink deeply into the pose and let go of any physical or mental tension. This stillness can also help to cultivate a sense of mindfulness and presence, as the practitioner must stay present and focused in order to hold the pose for an extended period of time.
Yin yoga has become popular in recent years as a way to balance the more active, yang-like practices that dominate many modern yoga styles. It is often recommended for people who are looking to relax, reduce stress, and improve flexibility.
The History of Yin Yoga
To begin, we have to ask the question, "Does Yin Yoga have a specific origin?" This is a little complicated to answer. Firstly, aspects of Yin Yoga can be traced back to thousands of years to books and text like: Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, the Yoga Sutra, and many more, but during those eras it wasn't called "Yin Yoga." During those periods of history, yoga was seen more as a lifestyle and tool to better ones overall health. There was less focus on the asana (poses) aspect of yoga and more on the meditative and healing purposes of yoga.
Yin asanas are nothing new in the sphere of yoga. They have been around since the beginning of yoga. Therefore, no one person can be given credit for the invention of yoga. That being said, there are a handful of people who can be credited to popularising Yin Yoga, coining the name, and how it came to be as we know it today.
In the 1970s, a man by the name of Paulie Zink began teaching Taoist Yoga
classes in California, United States. Zink drew inspiration from traditional Chinese medicine and the concept of yin and yang, as well as from Hatha yoga and Taoist practices. During this time, and still till this day, he taught classes that embodied both yin and yang asanas.
Fast forward to the 1980s, a man by the name of Paul Grilley was watching a presentation by Zink on national television.
Impressed by his skills of martial arts and incredible range of motion, Grilley decided to attend one of Zink's classes. While attending the class, Grilley enjoyed both the yin and the yang postures, but the part of the class that resonated most with him(Grilley) was the yin aspect of the class. After the class, still under the name of Taoist Yoga, Grilley began to teach yoga classes solely with yin asanas.
One of the students attending his "all-yin" yoga classes was Sarah Powers. At that moment, Grilley was still working on describing fully the detailed benefits of yin yoga, and the pathway to overall better health by incorporating "all-yin" yoga practice into your regular practice. Once he began to stress the importance and health benefits of "all-yin" yoga, Sarah became hooked on "all-yin" yoga and actually coined the name Yin Yoga.
At the time, Sarah was already recognised as a world-renowned yoga instructor. As she hopped from yoga studio to yoga studio, she taught her students about yin yoga and the importance of having both a yin and yang practice. This ignited what we now call Yin Yoga, and established the foundation of what thousands of yogis study and practice today. For further reading about the origins of Yin Yoga, click here. So now that we know the history of Yin yoga, let's go ahead and jump into the health benefits.
What are the benefits of Yin Yoga?
The practice of yin yoga is believed to have a number of benefits for the body and mind. On a physical level, yin yoga can help to improve flexibility, reduce stiffness and tension, and increase the range of motion in the joints. It can also help to stimulate the flow of Qi (life energy) in the body and improve the overall health and functioning of the organs and systems.
On a mental and emotional level, yin yoga can help to calm the mind and promote a sense of inner peace and stillness. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall mental clarity and focus. For a more in-depth look at the benefits of Yin Yoga click here.
One of the unique aspects of yin yoga is that it is typically practiced with minimal muscular effort. This is because the goal of the practice is not to build strength or endurance, but rather to stimulate the deeper connective tissues and promote relaxation. As a result, yin poses are typically held for longer periods of time, often for 3-5 minutes or more, with the use of props such as blankets, blocks, and straps to support the body and allow for a deeper release.
There are a wide variety of yin poses, including seated forward folds, pigeon pose (called swan pose in yin pose), dragon pose, happy baby, etc. Each pose targets specific areas of the body, such as the hips, lower back, or shoulders, and can be modified to suit the needs and abilities of the individual.
It is important to remember that yin yoga is a practice of patience and non-striving. It is not about achieving a certain pose or reaching a certain level of flexibility, but rather about finding a place of stillness and surrender in the body and mind. It is important to listen to your body and only go as deep into the pose as is comfortable for you.
Now that you know the benefits of Yin Yoga, and what it is; would you like it try it?
Here is a great yin yoga video for beginners:
It is slow-paced 1 hour practice that you can do from the comfort of your home or office. Along with this video, here is a playlist of other yin yoga videos and yin yoga resources to deepen your practice:
Yin Yoga Resources:
Yin Yoga Video Playlist:
Book Recommendations:
Are you wanting to cultivate a regular Yin Yoga practice with individualised classes? If yes, sign up today to begin your life enhancing journey with me. Private classes are available online via a Zoom studio or in-person Yin Yoga in Barcelona, Spain.
Prefer to take group classes with like-minded yogis via zoom? Sign up today!
Have you tried Yin Wall Yoga?
Yes, and I love it!
Yeah, it was ok...
No, but I want to!
No, I didn't even know that was a thing.
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