For most of us these days, our daily lives are fast-paced. Work, married life, family, friends, hobbies, an overloaded schedule, it's not uncommon for us to no longer take the time to connect with ourselves and rest. Yet it's essential for our bodies, our minds and above all our nervous systems to let go of the pressure of everyday life, to breathe and relax.
Yin yoga is just the thing to help you refocus on your well-being and rediscover serenity. The deep stretches and slow, long-held poses encourage you to be aware of your body and mind, and to relax with full awareness. You'll feel a welcome mental and physical calm in a society that suggests we're always on the move. Just more balanced energy.
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin yoga is a recent discipline, having developed in the 1980s and spread to Europe only recently. Unlike dynamic yoga such as Vinyasa or Ashtanga, Yin Yoga proposes slowing down the pace, letting go and entering into a form of relaxation. meditation. The focus here is not on muscle strengthening, body alignment or performance. Instead, we focus on sensations, relaxation, letting the body go and breathing.
This form of yoga therefore adopts a slow rhythm. We practise simple poses, mainly on the floor on the yoga mat or on the wall, which are held for several minutes in passive mode (muscles at rest). In this way, we target deep tissues other than muscles. Bones, joints and the famous fascia, particularly in the hip, shoulder and spinal joints. Healthy connective tissue promotes greater flexibility and mobility.
Yin yoga classes often include props to help hold poses without tension (bolsters, blocks, blankets, zafus). Sometimes we combine self-massage balls Yoga Tune Up® with yin asanas (yoga postures) for even greater effectiveness on the fascias, limiting adhesions and relaxing trigger points.
How does a Yin Yoga class work?
Each class lasts from 1 to 1? hours. As this is slow yoga, the series of postures will not follow one another at a steady pace. On the contrary, only a few positions will be adopted and held for several minutes. Concentration, attention to the breath and breathing are central to the practice.
Your yoga teacher will give you lots of suggestions and explain the function of each posture so that you can find your own way of expressing yourself, the placement that suits you. The depth that suits you, so that your physical body is sufficiently stimulated without being forced, always with respect. She will then guide you so that you can calm your mind and concentrate on your spirit.
What are the benefits of Yin Yoga?
This gentle form of yoga enables you to look after your internal organs, joints and connective tissue.
Yin Yoga sessions offer a beautiful mental space, improving your awareness and knowledge of your body and breathing, as well as your ability to calm your mind and concentrate better. Regular practice of Yin Yoga allows you to gradually let go of your physical and mental tensions. Your nervous system will be calmed and soothed.
Who are these yoga classes for?
Yin yoga perfectly complements the more dynamic and/or muscle-strengthening types of activity (known as "Yang"), which is why we recommend balancing these two types of activity.
This style of yoga is open to everyone, male or female, whatever your age, flexibility, physical condition or strength. Although this is not an 'easy' practice, no previous yoga experience is required.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi, you're welcome. The main difference will be how long you hold the posture: when you start Yin yoga, you'll hold the postures for between 3 and 5 minutes. With experience, you can extend this to 15-20 minutes. Practising yoga regularly allows you to reach unsuspected resources within yourself.
Persevere and you'll feel 'more at ease in your body' thanks to a comprehensive approach to your body, mind and energy. Over the long term, yoga sessions will help you to improve your breathing, relaxation and mobility, and develop better stress management.
If you're interested in practising yoga, don't hesitate to contact us and book your session. The benefits of yoga have long been proven, so join us and gradually rediscover your inner peace.
