5 reasons why everyone should do yin yoga

I love Yoga for all its benefits; physical, mental and spiritual. It’s difficult to deny that incredible feeling you get after a yoga class and the glow that is apparent on your skin as you leave the studio. However, it’s super easy to not attend yoga classes simply because we feel we don’t have enough time in our busy schedules.

Since starting Shine Om I was finding it easier to focus solely on teaching classes and building my business instead of taking classes for me. Yin yoga is an essential element of my self-care practice and something I strive to do for myself weekly. It’s on the only part of the week where it’s just me and my mat.

What is yin yoga?

Yin differs from other yoga styles as you hold poses supported by props (bolsters, pillows, blankets, blocks and straps) for longer periods of time. This allows your body to relax deeply into the poses benefiting all your insides (muscles, skeletal, tendons, ligaments etc.) It is a restorative yoga style allowing you to focus on connecting with oneself and deep stretching.

Here are 5 reasons why everyone should do yin:

1. Relaxation

Holding the poses and allowing your body to sink into them deeply relaxes the body and calms the mind. I find this class to be the greatest stress release allowing my mind to switch off and calm the farm.

2. Slowing down

In such a fast-paced, keep busy or pretend to be world it is the only time where you’re forced to really slow down, feel and stop.

3. Self-Connection

With yin, you’re encouraged to go to the first edge meaning you’re listening to your body and not pushing yourself beyond your limits. You’re forced to listen and acknowledge your body and thoughts and are deeply connected with breath.

4. Ego takes a rest

In most instances, the room is dimly lit and the style encourages you to meet at the first edge and hold it there. Being here and stopping means you’re not trying to keep up with a flow class or secretly comparing yourself to the gymnast 🤸‍♀️ looking yogini at the front. It’s about you, being where you are at, feeling into your body and using as many props as you can for restorative practice.

5. You don’t get sweaty

Let’s be honest sometimes it’s really not pleasant having beads of sweat dripping down your body and creating a slippery mat💦. In yin, you can layer up and barely move at all and sometimes you need that. Who doesn’t love an excuse to wear trackies and snuggle up?

If you’re interested in attending a yin class I can recommend the yin yoginis of Power Yoga Canberra. This is not a sponsored posts rather I value quality teaching and studios and I personally love going here too.

I’d love to hear what you love or don’t love so much about yin. Comment below or share your thoughts with us on Facebook or Instagram.