The Many Benefits Of Yin & Vinyasa Yoga

Sofia Pila Andersson

 

My motivation for writing this article is to get everyone who hasn’t tried Yin Yoga, or isn’t convinced of its benefits yet, to try it! Why? Because the feeling that you are left with after you have practised Yin yoga is amazing! 

 

Benefits of a regular Yin yoga practice

    •    Calms and balances the mind and body

    •    Reduces stress and anxiety

    •    Increases circulation

    •    Improves flexibility

    •    Releases fascia and improves joint mobility

    •    Balances the internal organs and improves the flow of chi or prana 

 

Different Yin yoga poses stimulate and remove blockages in the myofascial meridians in the body. This has the effect of balancing the body’s internal organs and systems. Yin yoga requires the muscles to relax around the connective tissue in order to get a stretch, so not all yoga poses can be done safely or effectively when practising Yin style. Thus Yin asanas have different names when practised in a Yin style.

 

Yin Yoga and the Mind

Becoming still in a pose and staying for a while creates those gaps that I was talking about earlier. Keeping the gaps empty creates the space for anything that wants to come up. Anxiety, happiness sadness, boredom, for example. Anything you suppress with all the on-the-go busyness in your life. Yin yoga gives you the time and space to allow those feelings to be there. Emotions, thoughts, feelings you have kept in the shadows.

 

Generally speaking, during my yoga classes  I will encourage you to allow all those feelings to be there, but not identify with them. I will guide you to become the observer of everything that arises in that space. All those stored away emotions, feelings and sensations now have a chance to come out. You have no idea how much energy it costs the body to keep all that suppressed. So the release you get from letting it all come out can also be just as big.

 

Vinyasa Yoga, helps teach your body how to mitigate the stress response by using the breath and mental focus. The International Journal of Yoga concluded that regular yoga practice does indeed improve sleep, reduce stress, quell anxiety and treat addiction. Vinyasa is particular effective at this because you, as a practitioner, are encouraged to focus on breath and bodily sensations. Other worries and cares become less prominent for the time you practice, making them less prominent and overwhelming. 

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So let’s slow things down, let’s stretch and breathe and be still every once in a while. Let’s relax and make space for a little vulnerability – both on the mat and in our lives. We might just be surprised at how flexible we become in the process.