What is Yin Yoga?
Yin yoga is a slow-paced, almost meditative style that focuses on stretching and relaxation. Unlike in power yoga, or similar active styles of yoga poses are held for longer periods of time from 3 to 5 minutes. When you hold the long deep posture for a longer time pressure which happened affects deep connectivity tissues. Fibroblasts get activated which makes your tissues stronger and supple.
Yin yoga takes its name from the Taoist concept of Yin and Yang. Yang is associated with movement and activity and Yin with stillness and passivity.
Yin affects not only the physical body but also the mind. When you hold one pose for a longer period of time it becomes a form of meditation, where you focus on breathing or sensation in your muscles.
Yin yoga poses is similar to hatha yoga posses, but usually, they are named differently, a few examples:
- Caterpillar Pose (Yin) vs. Paschimottanasana (Hatha)
- Dragon Pose (Yin) vs. Utthan Pristhasana (Lizard in Hatha)
- Shoelace Pose (Yin) vs. Gomukhasana (Hatha)
Benefits of Yin Yoga
Flexibility and better circulation - prolonged holds help to improve flexibility and better blood circulation Stress relief - Because yin yoga practice is meditative it helps to relieve stress