Yoga with Joelene Edmondson, CYT

Yin yoga is a very passive approach to yoga where you perform the majority of the poses seated on the floor or laying down. The poses are held for longer periods of time, sometimes 3 - 5 minutes and in some cases up to 20 minutes. Yin yoga offers deeper access to the body targeting our connective tissues, fascia, and ligaments with the aim of lubricating and protecting our joints. These are areas of the body often not reached with a typical yang style of yoga practice or fitness regime.

The main difference is that yin yoga is very passive with poses being held for longer periods of time. Another important difference is that in yin yoga your muscles need to be relaxed as opposed to engaged, this is so you can work into the deeper layers of the body and move closer to the bone, an area often missed in a yang yoga practice. With a yang practice, there is much emphasis on building heat and strength in the body whereas this is not the case in yin. Yin is practiced cold with no warm-up and with more of a focus on flexibility and lubrication.

Being a more meditative form of yoga the benefits affect both body and mind. The act of holding postures for an extended time can cause discomfort. Being able to breathe through this area of unease, connect with your body and remain strong and focused in your mind can improve inner strength and the ability to work through difficult situations that may arise in life. Here are some of the incredible benefits of practicing yin yoga:

● Lubrication and protection of joints.

● Deeper access to the body through the relaxation of muscles.

● Regulates energy in the body.

● Calming and balancing for the mind.

● Relaxation.

● Stress reduction and ability to release anxiety.

● Improves flexibility.

● Release of fascia throughout the body.

Social media is filled with yoga instructors who can move their bodies in unimaginable ways, so it’s easy to see why you might think yoga is only for flexible folks, but it’s time for a reality check. You don’t do yoga because you’re flexible; you do it to increase your flexibility and mobility. We all have to start somewhere, and each pose can be modified to fit where you are on your own personal flexibility journey.

If you are pregnant or have serious health concerns such as joint injury, recent surgery, epilepsy, diabetes, or any cardiovascular diseases (especially high blood pressure), be sure to discuss your intention to practice yoga with your health care professional.

● Don’t wear perfume or cologne when you practice. Deep breathing is part of the practice and you do not want to be deeply inhaling these fumes.

● For Yin Yoga, do not eat anything at least one to two hours before class.

And no big meals at least 3 hours before class. Give yourself time to digest before

your practice.

● Remove wristwatches and glasses etc.

● Wear loose, comfortable clothing, so that the body is not restricted.

● In Yin Yoga, you will not generate heat internally. Feel free to wear extra layers of clothing and socks.

● Remove obvious distractions: make sure cells are turned off or on silent.

We will have mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters provided. If you have your own, you are welcome to bring your own. You can also bring your water bottle.

The answer will vary from person to person because our needs are different. There will always be benefits when one practices Yin Yoga (or any other yoga style, for that matter.) One should aim for a regular practice, daily if possible. Formal classes often are an hour long but we know life happens. Sometimes we only have 30 minutes to practice. Other times, we can practice longer. That's okay. It's more important to be present to one's self in that span of time. Listen to one's body. Leave distractions at the door. And make your practice, no matter how short or long, your sacred space. The benefits will follow.