YIN YOGA BRISBANE
The concept of yin and yang originates from Chinese Taoism and encompasses the complimentary but opposing attributes of everything in existence e.g; cold/hot; dark/light; deep/superficial; passive/active; slow/rapid; gentle/strong; yielding/resistant. There is no absolute yin or absolute yang. They are always in a state of flux, always changing.
However, it can be said that our lifestyles have become predominantly ‘yang’ – fast paced, active and stressful – and many forms of exercise (even yoga) today are dynamic, strong practices that work only half our body, specifically the musculature. Most of us could benefit from slowing down and practicing more yin forms of yoga and exercise to help restore a sense of balance to both body and mind.
WHAT IS YIN YOGA AND WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM IT?
Any yoga class can be relatively more yin, or relatively more yang, but a modern Yin Yoga class typically consists of a series of long-held, passive floor poses that specifically target the deeper (more yin) connective tissues in the body including the fascia, joints, tendons, and ligaments. From a purely physical point of view therefore, Yin Yoga is particularly beneficial for those with less mobility or seeking a deep stretch to complement more yang forms of yoga or exercise.
As modern Yin Yoga has evolved from the Taoist tradition, it also focuses on promoting the flow of Qi (or life force) through channels in the body known as meridians. These conduits of energy form a network innately linked to the essential organs of the body. When blockages occur, an imbalance arises and mental, emotional, or physiological symptoms manifest. When the meridians are clear and open, energy flows freely and all is well once more. Yin Yoga helps to clear blockages, promote the flow of Qi, and restore balance; thus anyone can benefit from improvements to general health and wellbeing.
Yin Yoga poses are typically held for between three to five minutes, supported by props to alleviate tension and allow the body and mind to relax. When we settle into stillness and the breath becomes calm, we elicit the body’s natural relaxation response, the parasympathetic nervous system. Since many of us spend much of our lives in a chronic underlying state of stress, the stillness of Yin Yoga may initially seem challenging, but with practice we create the conditions for a deep state of peace and calm to arise. Expect significant improvements in mental health and wellbeing, specifically reduced levels of stress and anxiety and associated disorders such as high blood pressure.
WHERE CAN I PRACTICE YIN YOGA IN BRISBANE?
As we have seen this healing form of yoga offers a wealth of benefits that may help you to alleviate pain and tension, relieve stress and anxiety, and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Yin Yoga is offered several times a week at our beautiful SoHo Yoga studio in Grange, Brisbane. Visit our studio timetable to find a class time that suits you, or you can subscribe to our online yoga platform SoHo@Home to practice from the comfort of your own home.
Our highly trained and experienced instructors are all certified Yin Yoga teachers and will support you on your individual journey towards restoring balance in our overly yang world. For those seeking pure relaxation (without the stretching!) you might also enjoy our Restorative Yoga classes and workshops. Or if you are specifically seeking to improve your mental health, you might also like to try our Yoga for Mental Health classes and workshops.