9 Reasons to Try Yin Yoga
Have you always signed up for fast-paced, yang styles of yoga like Ashtanga and Vinyasa? Is the slow-paced and introspective Yin yoga practice right for you? Have you wondered if Yin yoga will help you achieve your weight loss goals? Will Yin yoga get you closer to your optimum levels of physical fitness? We’ve got news for you – Yin yoga will do all of that and more.
Yin yoga is a wonderfully calming yet challenging practice that encourages you to push beyond your comfort zone. It takes you to a space where you can be with yourself, and notice what your body and mind is telling you. Unlike other styles of yoga, Yin yoga works on the deep connective tissues between muscles (fascia, ligaments, etc.), stretching and strengthening them. These tissues, in turn, support and strengthen the muscles and joints. If this style interests you, taking up an online Yin yoga teacher training program is a great idea as it will take you through how the practice works on a physical and emotional level.
Are you on the fence, wondering whether to try Yin yoga or take up a course?
Here are nine reasons why you definitely should give it a try:
- Improves flexibility and mobility: Since the practice targets the deep connective tissue throughout the body, it reduces the stress and blockages in the region. It reduces friction, stiffness and corrects the harm caused by unhealthy postures. It improves blood circulation and oxygen supply, as well as flexibility and mobility. Energy also flows freely through the body as blockages are released. You can understand more about the anatomy in Yin yoga with a course like Sampoorna Yoga’s 50 hour Yin yoga teacher training online.
- Feasible to practice: Yin yoga consists of seated, prone (on the stomach) or supine (on the back) postures. It is possible to sometimes practice Yin yoga even without a mat. Using easily accessible props, like a cushion or bolster, are enough to deepen your posture too. There are many online Yin yoga courses that help you use props to deepen your practice.
- Cultivates self-love: The stillness in each posture allows you to go inward, connect with yourself and introspect. It allows you to open your heart and relax. The practice also has a profound impact on the nervous system, infusing the body and mind with a sense of peace. This makes way for compassion and self-love.
- Helps you let go of stress: External stressors are not going anywhere. To-do lists, deadlines and managing relationships will always demand our time and mind space. It’s up to us to manage these demands by releasing stress. Yin yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest response). Long holds take away the stress, stiffness and tension accumulated in stress-bearing areas, like the lower back. The slow-pace of the practice also makes it meditative and soothing, allowing you to just be still and breathe. Read this article for more on how Yin yoga has a positive impact on the nervous system.
- An emotional connect: Yin yoga allows you to get real with yourself – your feelings, sensations, emotions and thoughts. During fast-paced classes, you don’t really get a moment to pause or connect with a thought or emotion. Whereas, in Yin yoga, the holds in each posture allow you to stay still and go inward. You gradually become more in tune with your thoughts and emotions. It gives you an opportunity to experience, accept and surrender to these thoughts and emotions. Slowly, you learn to be more present and aware, paving the way for you to be emotionally connected with yourself outside class too.
- Develops a stronger outlook: When the going gets tough, Yin yoga is there for you! The practice helps you build perseverance and strength to face endeavors. It teaches you that staying still and breathing can help you deal with problems in a more effective way. It quietens the monkey mind, taking you to a place of comfort, despite uncomfortable situations. After all, it is better to respond to a situation in a calm and collected manner, rather than react without thinking.
- A meditative experience: For beginners, Yin yoga can feel like a meditative practice. You will find yourself focusing on your breath while staying still. Thoughts and emotions will come and go without you reacting. And you will have a teacher guiding you every step of the way, helping you stay focused and still. It also prepares you for meditation.
- Releases blockages: The stress on the connective tissues and confronting of emotions offers you a way to release blockages on a physical, mental and emotional level. Simple postures can turn into challenging ones, releasing strong sensations, physically and emotionally. Stress, anxiety and memories exist in cells for a very long time. The long holds in Yin yoga open up targeted areas, releasing stored emotions. While it is challenging at the time of practice, a teacher will guide you in a safe manner. Or, we recommend taking up a 50 hour Yin yoga TTC to experience for yourself.
- Finish a class feeling content: While all these challenges and confrontations might take place during a class, you will leave a session feeling content and happy. You may not have broken a sweat during class, but rest assured your body has experienced an intense and powerful impact. You’ll find yourself more at peace, with a happy flow and content heart. If you’re still unsure about the practice or have any questions, we’ve answered some of the most common ones in this article.
Sometimes practitioners get overwhelmed reading about the impact of Yin yoga. But the truth is, you have to experience it to know it. Join a class with an experienced teacher or dive right in and explore Sampoorna Yoga’s online Yin yoga teacher training. We promise you, you will love it!
Contact us if you are interested in learning more about the healing benefits of yin yoga or discovering how you can make it part of your lifestyle. At Sampoorna Yoga Online Academy, you will find specialized help focusing on your well-being, no matter where you are.
