I attended my first Yin Yoga class last night. Yes, last night. I haven’t tried it until now because I thought holding poses for long periods of time sounded boring. Does this make me a hypocrite?! How wrong I was…shame on me for discriminating! I realize now that yin would have been the perfect way for me to continue my yoga practice while my shoulder was healing. If I hadn’t been so stubborn, that is.
So what brought me to Yin NOW? Well, I suppose the stars finally aligned correctly! I’ve started teaching at a wonderful studio where Yin is offered by one of my favorite teachers. I figured it couldn’t hurt to check it out, and I’m so glad that I did!
In yin practice you are passive: you completely let go of all your muscles, holding poses for at least 5 minutes each (GASP!), allowing the connective tissues between your joints to softly stretch and strengthen. This practice focuses on the lower body- mainly hips and lower back. I think that might have been an additional reason that I didn’t take a yin class before- my hips are so tight that I was afraid to really stretch them deeply. Just a simple half pigeon pose during a flow class can leave me sore for days!
Some characteristics of yin energy: female, cold, and earthly. This was all reflected in the yin class as my body got really cool (shivers even! next time I will definitely wear socks and long sleeves!), and the postures were all seated on the floor, so I felt very connected and rooted down. The balancing yang energy is male, hot, and heavenly. My Ashtanga yoga practice is much more of a yang experience because with stretching and strengthening my upper body, I create internal fire in my muscles.
So back to the class…
I was nervous. I felt like a 100% beginner. I didn’t know what to expect- I’d heard it was supposed to be relaxing? We started in downward facing dog for a breath or two and then she said to step into half pigeon pose. “IS SHE SERIOUS?” I thought. I looked up, and realized that she was, in fact, serious. My monkey mind immediately started to resist. “No! I’m not warmed up yet! You can’t possibly expect me to stay here for FIVE MINUTES! Are you trying to destroy me? I can’t do it. I won’t do it. Do you have any idea how much I’m going to hurt tomorrow?”
Seriously, five minutes is a long time to have to listen to your mind whine and complain, so eventually you start to focus on the breath, the lulling sound of the teacher’s voice, and trying to just be present to what is happening. One of the biggest challenges for me was that I have developed some pretty strong yoga “habits”. I am trained to align my body to protect my joints when moving through a vigorous asana sequence. I scan my body to do things like square my shoulders, tighten my tummy, and lengthen my spine. I make these adjustments almost unconsciously, so when the teacher kept reminding us to let go, it was almost like re-training my mind. Release, release, release. Don’t fight it. Feel your body get heavier, and feel yourself melting into those tight spots.
And boy, were there tight spots!
Let me just say- there were moments when my feet got all tingly. And there were moments when I wanted time to move MUCH faster. And you’d think that when this “torture” had ended I would have said “No, thank you” to ever consider going back to it again.
But you are wrong!
I feel like this practice is exactly what I need to feel more centered again. I can’t even begin to describe the sense of peace and calm I felt at the end of the experience. I was just PRESENT. I was so relaxed. I was IN MY BODY. My rough, stressful, crazy day at work had dissolved, and Yin Yoga had brought me back down to Earth. Wow.
This morning I read a wonderful article about the benefits of a Yin practice to help your seated meditations be more comfortable. This concept definitely resonates with me because when I try to sit for more than half an hour in seated meditation, my back starts to round, and my hips are incredibly unhappy. This physical discomfort gives me an excuse for not meditating…but I really want to! Yin Yoga might be the magic trick that I need to make it happen.
Will you join me in saying yes to yin?!
Choose love,
Grace
Great post! It’s nice to get a perspective on another style of yoga. As you know I much prefer what I was initially introduced to,slow movement, breath, and holding the pose. Although, not for 5 minutes! I’ll have to try that.
I hurt my back this week and realized it would likely not have happened if I hadn’t all but stopped doing my little yoga ritual. I’m going to make it a priority to fit in my schedule.
I do admit I am a sucker for trying new studio’s, but I almost always take power yoga classes! It’s so important to break out of the comfort zone every so often. Happy to hear that you recognize yoga’s healing benefits and hopeful that your back will feel better soon!
Thanks for this review! I have been meaning to check out a yin class but I was a bit nervous about it. Nice to know that a fellow skeptic fell in love. : )
Glad I could give you a different perspective, Jamie! Let me know what you think!
Pigeon pose is a really important hip opener. It’s great that you talk about it. My boss, Leeann Carey, is a world-renowned yoga teacher & she says that while it may feel like you’re holding the pose forever, there is always a reason behind it. She has a free yoga video on this subject that you should check out: http://planetyoga.com/yoga-blogs/index.php/new-video-pose-breakdown-pigeon-pose/
Wow, loved this “understanding pigeon better” video! She talks about prepping with dynamic hip openers for the seated, more passive ones, and it’s a further emphasis that a yin practice complements a yang practice. Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Grace,
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I LOVE yin yoga and I find it’s a great counterpart to my regular Ashtanga/Vinyasa practices. The first time I tried it I felt a huge shift in my practice as it all came into balance with the long holds and meditative breath work. It taught me so much that I can apply in my regular practice, too. And – pillows!
Yes, our teacher showed us how to use meditation pillows- very, very helpful! I have my 2nd Yin class tonight- so excited!