The Art of Slow
Exploring the slow side of yoga with Yin & Restorative.
Join our monthly Yin & Restorative Classes to experience deep rest & connection.
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So what is Yin Yoga? What is Restorative Yoga? You may have seen these styles written on studio timetables but are a bit unsure of what they are about and if they are for you.
Here we will take a look at these two styles, which have seen a rise in popularity over the last few years. We will explore their key elements and explain who these styles are good for and what their benefits are.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga first came about in the 1970’s through the work of martial artist and yoga teacher Paulie Zink. Yin combines many key concepts found in both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Hatha Yoga into a physical asana practice. Yin is a floor based yoga class - meaning that most of the poses are performed laying or seated making it a wonderful practice to create a sense of calm and nourishment in both body and mind. One of the key characteristics of the practice is the longer holds of each pose - anywhere from 1 minute to 10 minutes depending on the pose and the student. These longer holds allow for a healthy amount of stress to be placed on the body’s connective tissue (fascia, tendons, ligaments) which creates a deep stretch and an ‘openness’ throughout the body. Through the use of various poses, Yin seeks to support the health of the body’s energy channels (meridians) by either lengthening or gently compressing parts of the body. Unlike a dynamic Hatha Yoga class, which is concerned with the activation of muscle to create strength and stability, Yin Yoga looks to de-active muscle during poses in order to target the connective tissue facilitating increased flexibility and length.
Who is it for?
Anyone needing a deep stretch
Those wanting to counter their dynamic yoga practices
Those who are looking to cultivate a sense of calm
Anyone who struggles with traditional seated meditation - Yin is a lovely gateway practice
Those needing to balance the more ‘yang’ or active aspects of a busy life
What are the benefits?
Increased flexibility
Reducing stress and anxiety through an increased sense of calm
Opportunity to observe and look inward
Improved circulation
Can help to improve join mobility through the releasing of fascia
Balances the flow of ‘Chi’ (vital energy) throughout the body
Restorative Yoga
Born from the work of B.K.S Iyengar, Restorative yoga grew into a practice of it’s own with thanks to restorative yoga ‘godmother’ Judith Hanson Lasater. If our ‘yang’ or moving yoga practice is about strength and stability and our yin practice is about flexibility and opening, it could be said that Restorative Yoga is about deep release. It is a floor based yoga class that uses a host of yoga props including blankets, blocks, straps, bolsters, pillows, chairs and walls to hold the body in poses that are reclining or seated. There are two essential aspects to the practice 1. Each asana is held for an extended period of time - from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the pose and the student. 2. Each pose is propped enough that the student feels completely held and supported ensuring zero muscular effort is used. The objective is to become still, create safety and softness in the physical body, which in turn calms the brain and allows the nervous system to recalibrate. Restorative Yoga is a wonderful way to tap into our parasympathetic response, which is a key element of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is responsible for automatic functions including heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate. It is made up of two branches the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) or the ‘fight or flight’ system and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) or the ‘rest and digest’ system. The slow and supportive nature of the practice makes it a wonderful tool to nurture not only the nervous system, but the body as a whole.
Who is it good for?
Those suffering from chronic illness
Those with restrictions, injury or illness
Those with adrenal or chronic fatigue
Anyone who struggles with traditional seated meditation - Restorative is a lovely gateway practice
Those needing to rebalance and nurture
Those wanting a gentle and calming practice
What are the benefits?
Deeply healing and calming
Supports healthy digestion
Supports the nervous system
Supports healthy hormone production
Aids healthy sleep
Supports immune system
Reduces muscular tension