Hi everyone, thank you for joining me in this all levels gentle yin yoga practice to help your nurture yourself in times of overwhelm. This is a very lazy practice that won’t require much effort or energy so that you can focus on filling your own cup and caring for yourself deeply. I’m using a bolster for this practice but you can swap this out with some couch cushions, pillows, blankets or blocks. I want you to feel supported and comfortable throughout this sequence.
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.
