Do you like to stay in a pose for longer? And do you feel better knowing you can adjust a posture if it becomes too heavy? If you say yes in both cases, then Yin Yoga is your style. It is wonderfully peaceful and refreshing.
Only when you fully experience your body as it is, will you be able to progress in yoga. And for that, Yin Yoga gives you all the time you need. In a Yin yoga class you stretch your body and relax. The exercises are soft and relaxing, and you stay in the same pose for a long time, so you can observe what happens to your body. In Yin Yoga you use every posture to feel your body better. You learn to accept your limits and then suddenly ... the exercise works.
Music, movement, time, tempo: everything in Yin Yoga is slow and calm. You take time for your body and sometimes the lesson is tailored to a single meridian or organ. Yin yoga postures strengthen or repair the joints and connective tissue and that makes the yoga form suitable for injuries. It also stimulates the meridians and the functions of the organs. Because of the slow pace, the class has a strong meditative aspect.
What does a typical class look like?
The Yin yoga class of AntwerpYoga is called: Yin Yoga Stretch. The class consists of an alternation of longer held yin postures and short yang positions. All postures are done sitting or lying down; you use blocks, bolsters and straps to support the exercises; and you concentrate on the breathing and keep it soft. Afterwards you feel calm and fulfilled. This is a wonderful way to end the day and as soon as your head hits the pillow, you fall asleep like a log.
Who can benefit from Yin Yoga?
We live at a fast (yang) pace which is not natural for humans and so everyone benefits from dipping into a slow yin energy. On a physical level, yin yoga mainly targets the deeper back muscles and loosens up the pelvic area. It is best to combine yin yoga with a yang yoga form. Or with a yang sport, such as: fitness, swimming and running. So choose yin and yang, to achieve the best effect.
