Ready to stretch and relax with me? Let me take you through this 45 minute full body yin yoga practice. If you have a bolster please grab it but otherwise you can substitute it with two blocks or some pillows, couch cushions or folded blankets.
I’ll take you through poses like supported fish, butterfly, shoelace with side bend, straddle, reclined knee to chest and supported bridge. This is suitable for all experience levels and by the end you should feel relaxed, rejuvenated and more comfortable in your body.
What is Yin Yoga? Yin yoga is often called the Yoga of the joints because unlike other styles of yoga, the emphasis is not on the muscles but on the deep connective tissue. Connective tissue is made up of fascia, ligaments and tendons which surround and form your joints. Yin yoga improves the range of motion in your joints and also strengthens them. The results and benefits are more flexibility and greater range of motion and also more stability within your joints.
There are 3 principles of Yin Yoga.
1. Find your edge
2. Be still
3. Hold the pose
Find your edge means respecting your body’s limits and not pushing too far and risking injury. Pull back a little bit and as you hold the pose you will be able to go deeper into it without pushing too far or hurting yourself.
Being still means that once you are in the pose it is important to completely relax your muscles so the benefits can get into the connective tissues and joints. Try not to fidget or move or distract yourself, this is a meditative practice. Breathe deeply in and out through the nose.
Holding the pose means that in Yin Yoga a pose can be held for 1-10 minutes depending on the pose performed and on the comfort level of the student.
