Benefits of a Regular Yin Yoga Practice

The benefits of a regular yin yoga practice are multi-fold for the mind and body. The challenge that most of us face is in sticking to the routine. It’s important to remind ourselves that a regular yin yoga practice is key to staying energized, refreshed and balanced. A yin yoga practice offers time and space to introspect, turn inward and quiet an unsteady mental chatter. It brings one to a point of stillness and bliss. In many ways, it’s a form of self-care that nourishes the body’s deep tissues and helps us let go of withheld emotions.

In this article we have outlined some of the benefits of a regular yin yoga practice – a great first step before taking up an online yin yoga teacher training course. If you are a yoga teacher looking to deepen or advance your practice, a 50-hour yoga TTC is recommended beyond this article.

• Restore and strengthen your range of motion: Yin yoga targets the deep connective tissue which supports and strengthens muscles and joints. Factors like aging, injury, or unhealthy postures in everyday life can restrict movement. Friction and stiffness increases. This blocks the flow of energy, and causes fatigue. With a regular yin yoga practice, where one holds postures for long, the fascia gets stronger, reducing the stress on connective tissues, and increasing the range of motion. It might sound complex at first glance, however, with a course like Sampoorna Yoga’s 50 hour yin yoga teacher training online, teachers and practitioners can get a simplified understanding of the anatomy in yin yoga.

• Energizes the connective tissue: Yin yoga adds subtle stress on the connective tissues. Long holds improve oxygen supply and blood circulation to the region, energizing and revitalizing the tissues. While yin yoga is not easy (it urges practitioners to come out of their comfort zone), it does leave one feeling stress-free, energetic and relaxed.

• Encourages you to cultivate gratitude: The stillness and introspective nature of the practice allows one to go inward and connect with our inner selves. One can tune into the bodily functions, become more aware and content with their true self. It even allows one to tend to all facets of our being (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). There is heightened awareness of the physiological functioning of the body. On an emotional and mental level, there is more opportunity for self-compassion.

• Allows you to slow down: Yin yoga allows practitioners to get away from their endless task lists and hit the pause button. It brings one to the present and improves awareness. This makes space for rest, renewal and a refreshed mind and body. There is a wonderful positive impact on the nervous system as well. In fact, the nervous system is greatly benefited in yin yoga. Online yin yoga teacher training programs help, both, teachers and practitioners understand how this happens.

• Connect with emotions: Yin yoga is known to help individuals confront emotions and accept them. In a long-held posture, the mind might waver, feelings of fear, anxiety, and restlessness might surface. But with the guidance of thoroughly trained and experienced yin yoga teachers, practitioners learn to confront and accept these emotions. Eventually, one learns to be more in check with emotions even outside class. Read more about the benefits of yin yoga here.

• Release stress: With the positive and balancing impact on the nervous system, yin yoga helps one release stress effectively. Areas where stress accumulates, like the lower back, are stretched and stimulated, releasing tension from the deep tissues. Furthermore, when one is aware of their emotions, there is less accumulation of stress. Practitioners even learn to surrender and accept both the highs and lows of life.

• Yin yoga prepares you for meditation: Many will describe yin yoga as a meditative practice. This itself induces a sense of peace, allowing one to sit still in meditation. Meditation can be difficult for many if thoughts and emotions are clouded or uncertain. With yin yoga, while the practice pushes you out of your comfort zone, it also instills stillness and relaxation. One learns to accept thoughts and emotions even during meditation.

• A balanced way of life: Maintaining a balanced lifestyle and well-being is tough in today’s world. It takes time, effort and practice. A regular yin practice teaches one to stay balanced on the mat, starting with thoughts and emotions. It teaches one to prioritize physical and mental health. Once this becomes a habit on the mat, gradually one learns to take this balance forward into everyday life.

This article explores more about the physiological and psychological impact of yin yoga.

Similar to most practices, noticing these benefits may take time for practitioners. As teachers, it is important to encourage and guide students towards a regular and consistent practice. Only then will they begin to feel a difference. Sampoorna Yoga’s online yin yoga teacher training is a Yoga Alliance-approved program and one of the best to consider if you are looking to advance your yoga career.

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.