Yin Yoga: effects and exercises of the intensive yoga style

In Yin Yoga, you stay in your asanas for up to ten minutes. The focus here is on intensive stretching and rest instead of exhausting yourself. We explain everything about the effect, the advantages and the exercises of this yoga style.

Yin Yoga is a calm and passive type of yoga in which you come to rest and stretch intensively. The exercises will usually practise while sitting or lying down and held for several minutes. This is less about dynamics and more about surrendering to the activities and completely relaxing.

What Is Yin Yoga?

Yin Yoga is not about muscle building or endurance training but about passively letting yourself fall into the asanas and completely relaxing. The breath should flow freely, and the yogi should find himself and his inner peace.

As a rule, only four to six exercises will do in a yoga class of 75 to 90 minutes, but these will help for up to ten minutes.  Staying in one position for a long time gives the yogi time to let go completely. It is the only way to reach the fascial tissue, the bones and the joints.

Yin Yoga Is Not About Performing Every Asana Perfectly

There is no competition, no better or worse. In Yin Yoga, much consideration will give to the fact that everybody is different and has a diverse range of motion.

Dynamic yoga styles are usually very yang-heavy. “Yang” describes the male energy in yoga, which stands for dynamism and strength. “Yin”, on the other hand, stands for female power, calming down and harmony in the body.

The meditative postures should enable the so-called “Chi” to flow freely through the body.

• Effects of Yin Yoga on the body and mind
• Due to its passive and relaxing nature, Yin Yoga has several positive effects:
• Release of tension
• Improving flexibility and mobility
• Strengthening of inner peace, strength and balance
• The body learns to let go of muscle tension or between organs.

Yin Yoga is therefore particularly recommended for yogis who otherwise practice sweaty, active yoga or sports that put a lot of strain on the muscles.

Yin Yoga also positively affects the elasticity and the fascia – these are often “detoxified”, and the body is more flexible.

After a few minutes in the pose, the body opens up and stretches even deeper. Holding the exercises for a long time also has a very meditative effect and gives the yogi time to deal with himself and find himself.

Who Is Yin Yoga Suitable For?

Yin Yoga suits athletes and yogis looking for a relaxing contrast to their muscle work. Anyone who often works with weights and gives a lot of power will find Yin Yoga a balancing type of yoga that ensures that the body becomes more flexible and relaxed. However, if you are looking for a powerful yoga style, you are in the wrong place with Yin Yoga.

What Is the Level Of Practice Required For Yin ?

Yin Yoga is suitable for everyone, as there are always more difficult or easier variations of the exercises depending on the training level.

If you have previous injuries, you should talk to the yoga teacher in advance about which exercises can cary out and how so that the joints or ligaments will not keep under even more strain.

You Might Also Like These Types Of Yoga

Consider trying restorative yoga if you want to unwind even more deeply. The ultimate aim of restorative yoga is healing and serenity. The positions are held for a very long time, just like in Yin Yoga, but should be even simpler and more carefree. To make this possible, aids such as bolsters, chairs or cushions will use to help.

What To Expect From A Class In Yin Yoga?

During the first 60 to 75 minutes of a Yin Yoga class, the body arrives on the mat and the consciousness enters the space. A brief opening meditation and occasionally repeating the mantra “Om” complete the practice.

Then It Goes Directly To The Four To Six Asanas.

As soon as the series of exercises is complete, the “Shavasana” follows the deep relaxation in which the yogi can relax while lying on his back. At the end of the hour, “Om” is usually chanted again.

Tip for beginners: Don’t give 100 per cent right from the start, but give your body time to let go and relax. Since the positions will help for a long time, it is advisable to start with 70 per cent and gradually increase them.

Yin Exercises

The exercises are not actively forced through muscle power but will approach passively. Less is more here. By holding the position for a long time, the body can open up and “give in” – because it will otherwise use to achieving physical goals with muscle power. In Yin Yoga, this works through relaxation.

Unroll the yoga mat, and let’s go! We show you four well-known Yoga exercises to imitate:

What Do You Need For A Yin Yoga Class?

It would help if you had a large, comfortable yoga mat for a  Yoga class. Because you should feel delighted during the exercises and be able to let go. A soft blanket or yoga towel is also popular.

For yogis who are not yet so flexible, aids such as a yoga belt, a yoga block or a bolster are suitable for reaching or making the positions easier. However, such additional aids are also made available in the yoga studio.

For This, it is best to wear extra comfortable clothing – long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, for example – and pack warm socks. It makes the final sequence particularly relaxing.