Yin Yoga with Michelle Ireland

What is Yin Yoga?

Yin yoga works deeply into our body with passive, longer-held poses. It targets the deepest tissues of the body, our connective tissues – ligaments, joints, bones, the deep networks of the body and the meridians. This is in contrast to a Yang yoga practice such as Vinyasa yoga which targets the muscles.

Energetically, Yin yoga improves the energy flow, enhancing the flow of chi in the organs. To be healthy, we need healthy organs as well as healthy muscles. Yin yoga also offers wonderful emotional and mental health benefits.

A Yin yoga class usually consists of a series of long-held, passive floor poses that mainly work the lower part of the body – the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine. These areas are especially rich in connective tissues. The poses are held for up to four minutes. Yin is almost entirely passive, although some Yin asanas contain Yang elements. During the asanas, muscles are relaxed to avoid muscle spasm, which could result from engaging muscles for long periods.

Benefits of a regular practice

• Increases circulation and improves flexibility
• Calms and balances the mind and body
• Reduces stress and anxiety 
• Releases fascia
• Encourages deeper relaxation
• Improves joint mobility
• Brings balance to the organs through meridian stimulation

Call for more information or to reserve your space.