Yin Yoga ~A Quiet Practice
Yin Yoga is a complementary yoga practice to the more dynamic and invigorating yoga styles that are predominant today. Vinyasa-flow and most popular yoga classes are mainly yang styles of yoga, as they emphasize internal heat, and the lengthening and contracting of our muscles. Yin Yoga the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and even the joints of the body.
In Yin Yoga, floor postures are held passively for several minutes in order to access a safe and positive 'stress' on the deep layers of connective tissue in the body.
Physically, Yin Yoga restores and maintains the natural mobility of the joints, primarily between the navel and the knees. Energetically, Yin Yoga opens the body's meridian system, which enhances the body's energetic flow and supports emotional equilibrium.
And as this practice emphasizes stillness and silence, Yin Yoga prepares both the body and the mind for deeper experiences in meditation.
The yin yoga movement was started by Master Paulie Zink (below), but it has been popularized by his students Paul & Susie Grilley (left).
Yin Yoga is not restorative yoga.
While initially Yin Yoga could seem quite boring, passive, or soft, this practice can be quite challenging due to the long duration of the poses. We can remain in the postures anywhere from one to twenty minutes! Yin and yang tissues respond quite differently to being exercised. You need to experience this to really know what Yin Yoga is all about. After you have experienced it, even just once, you will realize that you have been doing only half of the asana practice.
Master Paulie Zink's complete art of Yin yoga encompasses:
Yin Yoga- Postures of stillness for promoting growth, clearing energetic blockages, and enhancing circulation.
Yang Yoga- Postures for developing core strength and muscle tone, balance, and stamina.
Taoist Flow Yoga- Including both Yin and Yang yoga, Taoist Flow
is more than just a sequence of postures. In Taoist Flow the process of
transition from pose to pose is as integral to the practice as the
postures themselves. Taoist movement incorporates continuous, smooth and
circular motion that promotes ease, fluidity and grace in the body.
Taoist Alchemy- Cultivating and harmonizing the five alchemical elemental energies that are contained in the universal life field and animate distinct qualities in the body such as lightness, fluidity, strength, springiness and calm.
Chi Kung- These exercises involve very simple and gentle movements and breathing techniques. They are designed to increase vitality and to restore harmony in the natural rhythms and functions of the body and its energetic field.
If you would like more information on Yin Yoga, please check out:
YinYoga.com or PaulGrilley.com or PaulieZink.com