Yin yoga is a style of yoga that is slow-paced and consists of various poses, also known as asanas, that are held for longer than they are in typical yoga; usually a minimum of five minutes. In the late 1980s, this type of yoga quickly grew in popularity, eventually spreading across North America and parts of Europe. People who are interested in becoming instructors must successfully complete a Yin yoga teacher course.
Benefits
When a person performs Yin yoga poses, a moderate amount of stress is placed on the ligaments, fascia and the tendons, otherwise known as the connective tissues, with the goal of increasing flexibility and improving circulation in the joints. The asanas used in performing this form of yoga can be held for up to 20 minutes. Because this is a long time for a person to hold their body in a single position, it allows people to improve their level of patience. This is one of the primary non-physical benefits of practicing Yin yoga.
Body Temperature
When practicing Yin yoga, most instructors will recommend that students avoid warming up before the class. This is because muscles contain less elasticity when they are cold. Therefore, a greater amount of stress will be conveyed to the connective tissue during the asanas. Yin yoga does not generate any body heat. This is why the majority of instructors prefer a warm temperature in their classrooms. While asanas are being performed, it is important for students to completely relax their muscles. This will help them to avoid muscle spasms that will often occur when muscles are engaged for an extended period of time.
Principles
The Taoist concepts of yin and yang are key principles that Yin yoga is based on. Yin and yang are known as the complementary and opposite principles found in nature. Yin is downward moving, passive, immobile, cold, feminine and stable. On the other hand, yang is upward moving, active, mobile, hot, masculine and changing. Stiff connective tissues in the body, such as fascia, ligaments, tendons, are referred to as yin. The blood and the muscles that are more pliable and moveable are referred to as yang. Yin asanas are those that require very little movement on the part of the student. Yang asanas require the student to have a greater level of flexibility.
History of Yin Yoga
The beginning of what we now known as Yin yoga is believed to have started 2000 years ago in China and Taiwan, not in India where many other forms of yoga were developed. These people held poses for extended periods of time in an effort to live longer and improve their overall health. During these ancient times, stretching techniques used in yoga were referred to as Dao Yin. This type of yoga was typically only taught by Taoist priests. Various breathing techniques were also part of the classes. The art of holding yoga poses and controlling breathing was also taught to people interested in learning martial arts as a way of honing their skills.
Popularity in the United States
Paul Grilley is generally considered to be the person responsible for the popularity of Yin yoga in the United States. After seeing a man named Paulie Zink performing some of the Yin yoga positions on TV in 1988, Grilley contacted Zink. After learning the techniques from Zink for one year, Grilley began to teach other people.
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