| There are many different forms and stylisations of | | | | Connective tissue responds best to long passive holds, |
| yoga available for study in the eternal pursuit of | | | | rather than rhythmic movement, which is better suited |
| physical and mental health and fitness - Hatha, | | | | to the muscles. As a result, the practice is sometimes |
| Ashtanga, Sivananda to name but a few. | | | | called yoga for the joints. |
| However, probably one of the most unusual is Yin | | | | Yin Yoga brings yoga back to its internal meditative |
| Yoga. | | | | roots and has profound physical, emotional and |
| This beautiful yogic practice combines traditional Hatha | | | | energetic benefits: |
| postures, Taoist philosophy and meridian theory. | | | | Physically, this practice helps to maintain the agility and |
| The practice complements the more yang styles of | | | | mobility of the joints below the navel and above the |
| exercise e.g. power yoga, Ashtanga yoga, running, | | | | knee, finding more comfort in the body in stillness and |
| swimming, etc., or a fast-paced stressful lifestyle and | | | | more grace in movement. |
| would, therefore, be a perfect addition to any classes | | | | Energetically, this type of yoga is essentially |
| in which you already participate. | | | | needle-less acupuncture, enabling your energy system |
| The three main principles of Yin Yoga are: | | | | to find its own natural equilibrium, balance and harmony. |
| (1) come to the appropriate depth of the pose, the | | | | Emotionally, creating a space to breathe, to remain still |
| place where the body naturally stops, where you begin | | | | and simply observe in a non-attached way the array |
| to feel sensation and unfolding in the body, free from | | | | of emotions that ebb and flow, cultivating acceptance |
| any muscular tension and pain, where your breath | | | | of what is, breeding an emotional resilience and |
| remains natural soft and gentle; | | | | maturity. |
| (2) find stillness in the body, surrendering into the shape | | | | Psychologically, this practice can help develop the |
| and allowing your muscles around the targeted area to | | | | capacity to concentrate, to focus our attention, to |
| become passive; | | | | cultivate awareness of what is arising within. |
| (3) hold the posture for a long period of time. Each | | | | If you're looking to expand your yoga repertoire, |
| pose is maintained on the floor for about five minutes. | | | | accessing the body's inherent wisdom in a way not |
| Yin Yoga focuses on strengthening and lengthening | | | | normally reached in other forms of yoga, the beautiful |
| the connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, and fascia), | | | | and unique practice of Yin Yoga is an ideal direction to |
| reaching down and stimulating the flow of chi through | | | | consider. |
| the energy conduits of the body. | | | | |