3 Tips for Yin Yoga students

Hi yogis! Ahead of my new yin classes I want to have a little intro on here to help you understand and prepare better for what to expect in a Yin Yoga class.

At this point you might have practised Yin, or maybe only heard of it before and did a quick search but still unsure - then read on!

So here's 3 tips to help you enjoy a Yin Yoga class:

TIP 1: Understand what Yin Yoga is (and isn't!)

Yin is often confused with Restorative, but it is not the same. There are some similarities—they both target the parasympathetic/rest-and- digest nervous system; they are both wonderful for stress relief; and they both feature primarily reclined or seated poses. Unlike Restorative Yoga, however, which is a Hatha Yoga style, Yin is a hybrid of Hatha Yoga with traditional Chinese Medicine. Yin works with meridians to move the flow of chi, while Restorative and other forms of Hatha work with prana and chakras. 

In addition, Restorative Yoga—as its name suggests—is about restoring you back to your optimal level of well-being. This assumes you aren't currently there. Yin Yoga assumes you are not injured. While Restorative poses are gentle, Yin poses take us to our edge in order to strengthen the joints and target the fascia. If you rank effort on a scale of 1-10, Restorative Yoga is a 2-3 while Yin Yoga is a 4-5, and while it can be beginner-friendly, it is not easy. Yin Yoga shouldn't put you to sleep!

TIP 2. Have a thorough understanding of the three principles of Yin Yoga.

PRINCIPLE 1. Find your edge

In every Yin asana, students should be right at their edge in terms of sensation—not too little, where they aren't stressing their joints at all, but not so much that it becomes unsafe.

Finding your edge is one of the most challenging parts of Yin Yoga and it looks different for each person. 

PRINCIPLE 2. Hold the pose

To really reap the benefits of Yin Yoga, poses must be held for at least two minutes; you can go as long as ten but that's very advanced. The average amount is 3-5 minutes. Think of it as a marathon, and not a sprint!

PRINCIPLE 3. Resolve to be still

Yin poses are held without tensing up or contracting muscles. Use props to help you surrender into the pose rather than struggle against it. Avoid fidgeting once you are settled in.

TIP 3. Set the mood

How you do this will depend on you! A lot of people struggle with the stillness of yin (especially at first), so having background music is a good idea. As with any yoga class it's worthwhile setting the scene - light a candle, ask your household members to not be disturbed. Make the room you are practising in cosy and warm.

Hope that helps! 

Enjoy :)

These are taken and adapted from Kassandra Reindhart's Yin ebook.