To end the year, I would be giving free Yin Yoga class on December 24 and 31 (Friday), 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Please text or email me to confirm your space.

What is Yin Yoga?

Yin Yoga is a quiet, slow and relaxing yoga practice. We encourage the body to be completely relaxed as we maintain poses for an extended period of time, usually 3 to 5 minutes. Typically, the targeted areas are the lower back, sacrum, hips, knees and ankles, encouraging more opening and spaciousness in the joints. Most poses will be executed in a supine, prone or sitting position. (Please let me know if you cannot sit on the floor.)

What would I expect from a Yin Yoga class?

Yin Yoga is very different from all the other yoga class you’ve been in. I would be asking you to continuously relax and remain still in a pose which will be held for an extended period of time. We would be moving slow from pose to pose. There are only a few poses done in a Yin Yoga class, usually 10 poses or less. This is not a muscle strengthening class. Please don’t expect flying poses.

Who may attend this class?

Yin Yoga is suitable for almost all levels, from someone who has no yoga experience to a seasoned yogi. Yin Yoga is a perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular styles of yoga. Anyone attending drug rehabilitation, stress management, eating disorder treatment, or recovering from pain and trauma may find this yoga form useful in treating their condition. It is not suitable for those who have recently injured their hips, pelvis, and lower spine. That also means it is not suitable for women who just given birth.

What do I need to wear and bring?

Please wear comfortable and loose clothes. Most poses will be executed in a supine, prone and sitting position. Bring a soft / thick towel for padding. Bring your yoga mat if you have one (the thick ones will be the best for Yin Yoga). Optional: Yoga Bolsters, Blocks, Meditation Pillows, and Yoga Belts. Leave your jewelry, watches and glasses in your bag (or better yet at home). Bring your water bottle too. Keep yourself hydrated. For more on how to prepare for a yoga class, please refer to this link: Class

Why do we practice Yin Yoga?

  1. To balance our practice. Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and even the joints of the body that normally are not exercised very much in more active yoga or workouts.
  2. Relaxation. Relaxation is the key to stay in the pose for an extended period. The muscles need to stay relaxed in order for us to access the deeper tissues.
  3. Joint Health. Yin Yoga helps increase the blood flow to the joint tissues by releasing the tension found in our joints. It helps create space in the joint.
  4. Meditation. The long quiet hold of the poses help cultivate a calm and peaceful mind.

Other benefits of Yin Yoga may include:

  • Feeling calm and balanced
  • Regulated energy levels (chi)
  • Greater strength
  • Improved health
  • Stress levels lowered
  • Greater stamina
  • Flexibility of the body’s connective tissues and joints
  • Slowed signs of aging
  • Improved meditation
  • Deeper relaxation
  • Improved practice of yang yoga

Is there any potential harm in doing Yin Yoga?

Just like any other yoga practice, if you do not engage the practice correctly, it will cause more harm than good. It is important not to over-extend yourself in a yin pose. Stay relaxed at all times by keeping the external body soft. We do not want to use a yin attitude and yang engagement in a yin practice. This may cause unnecessary injury. In general, people who are guided well in class find yin practice absolutely beneficial. We have not known of any bad effects in practicing Yin Yoga.

I hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Peace.

-Karen

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