🧘 What Is Yin Yoga?

Hi all and hope you are well?

I have really been enjoying some amazing benefits of practicing Yin yoga over the last month and wanted to share some information with you about it. I think it its a perfect practice to compliment the holsitic treatments that I offer.

Yin Yoga is a slow-paced, meditative style of yoga focused on long-held floor poses—typically 3 to 5 minutes or more—to gently stimulate the body’s connective tissues such as fascia, ligaments, and joints. Originating from Taoist traditions and Chinese medicine, it was formalized in the West by Paulie Zink in the late 1970s, and later developed by Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Bernie Clark.

Why Try Yin Yoga? Key Benefits

  • Improves joint mobility and flexibility, especially in hips, spine, and inner thighs, by targeting deep tissue layers.

  • Supports stress reduction and emotional balance through slow motion, breath awareness, and inward focus.

  • Enhances mind-body connection, helping practitioners better sense what their body needs, known as antifragility or healthy stress awareness.

  • Complements more active practices like Vinyasa or strength training—it’s not meant as a standalone workout but a restorative counterbalance.

How to Practice Yin Yoga

  1. Create a quiet space—use a mat and props like blocks, bolsters, or blankets to support your body and maintain comfort in long-held poses.

    Hold poses for 3–5 minutes, or even longer as you gain experience. Beginners may start at three minutes and gradually increase.

  2. Listen to your sensations—notice whether pressure feels healthy (deep, broad, warm) or overwhelming. If breathing or mental calm falters, ease out of the posture.

Mindful Tips for Safe Practice

  • Gentle pressure is good—you're accessing connective tissues, not forcing muscles.

  • Breathe deeply, allowing the body to soften and sink.

  • Honor your edge—there’s a difference between discomfort that clears tension and pain that signals overload.

In Summary

Yin Yoga invites us to slow down, soften, and stay still—powerful in a world that rewards doing more. With its long holds, gentle intensity, and inward focus, Yin can help everyone—especially those on a path to release tension and recover balance.

I would highly recommend https://shivohaminstitute.com/ for classes and Ildiko is an excellent teacher.

Hope you find some benefits from this Blog.

Wishing you wellness

Roland @ releaseandrepair.com