Yin Yoga

A guide to Yin yoga

Unlike other forms of yoga, Yin yoga is characterised by a particularly slow pace with emphasis placed on holding its various poses, known as asanas, for longer. Some experts in this form of yoga are able to maintain their chosen asana for five minutes or so. The practise gained popularity in the West from the 1970s onward, especially as it was taught in North America by pioneers like Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers to supplement other forms of yoga and exercise. According to another well-known practitioner, Paulie Zink, Yin yoga should include every aspect of the Taoist tradition, encompassing both yin and yang. In the main, it is popular because this form of yoga places limited stress on tendons and ligaments, something that means it is comparatively injury-free.

 Yin yoga originated in India and China. According to some scholars, the ancient Hatha yoga tradition dates back to the first century of the Common Era, and this developed into Yin yoga as it intertwined with Taoist traditions in China. The idea that asanas should be held for prolonged periods is often associated with the Taoist notion of 'internal alchemy', so the practice took hold as it was said to promote a healthier lifestyle and greater longevity according to that philosophy.

In short, it is often considered to be one of the best forms of yoga for beginners to get into. The slower nature of it and the fact that it uses similar stretching techniques that ballet dancers and gymnasts will be familiar with means that it is quite easy to pick up. However, the extended asana poses that expert practitioners can cope with are usually beyond novices who will only be able to hold them for a minute or two at most. Its slowness also tends to helps people who are new to the meditative aspects of yoga by focussing them on inner silence more effectively.

Although Yin yoga shares roots and many asanas with Hatha yoga, it is a distinct tradition. Many people who do yoga will be familiar with aspects of both. Nevertheless, the names of most of the asanas differ. In addition, more gradual bodily movements, with less muscle exertion, is a distinctive feature of Yin yoga.

Because the asanas in Yin yoga are held for prolonged periods of time, especially when compared to other traditions of yoga, there is less bodily heat that is generated. As such, many teachers recommend that it is practised in a warm environment, which means heating the room in many cases. That said, there is nothing central in this yoga form that says it must be conducted at higher than usual temperatures.