With reports of burnout on the rise, Yin Yoga may just be your ticket to a happier life! Yin Yoga is inspired by ancient Chinese Taoist practices in which stretches were held for long periods of time. This form of exercise emphasises seated or lying poses that target the connective tissues in the pelvis, lower spine, and hips. Pose-holding durations range from 1 to 10+ minutes, enhancing flexibility, as well as providing a sense of release and letting go. It is a great method for learning the foundations of stilling the mind and meditation.
Unlike other forms of Yoga; Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative and Hot yoga, which mostly focus on physical disciplines, Yin Yoga is slower and more meditative, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body.
Whether you’re wanting to destress, work out, or find your zen, Yin Yoga has a myriad of benefits that we’re sure will suit you! We believe at Premium Pilates & Fitness that Yin Yoga can make your life abundantly richer – improving your sleep, balancing your emotions, and increasing your strength and flexibility; the latter being a result of consistent practice, not a prerequisite! 😉 Surely that’s enough to get anyone on the mat!
Don’t let any of the pervasive myths out there stop you from enjoying this practice. It’s not just for women, it’s not only done in incense-filled spaces, and of course, most erroneous of all, it’s definitely not solely for the flexible. We promise!
The history of Yin Yoga:
Have you ever heard of Yin and Yang? We’re sure you’re familiar with the phrase, whether it’s the black-and-white symbol or the concept. To compare the two, Yin is more internal, passive, cooling, and downward. Yang is more external, dynamic, warming, and upward. When we discuss Yoga in terms of Yin and Yang, we must also remember that these categorisations are not absolute. Often elements of Yang will occur during a Yin flow which can add a positive balance to your Yoga flow. ⚖️
Up until recently, the most well-liked yoga styles and classes were those that were more dynamic and energising. It makes sense that Yin Yoga has now taken the yogi world by storm, offering the chance to partake in a more unwinding, revitalising, and rooted practice that offers great advantages for body, mind, and soul.
At PPF we focus on two different types of Yoga; Hatha Yoga and Yin Yoga. Hatha Yoga is the basics or "the bread and butter" of Yoga. You learn the foundation and alignment, and you hold each pose for several breaths in order to find your strength and range. Yin Yoga is much slower paced and poses are held for longer periods. Yin is a more meditative practice, allowing you to clear your mind and reconnect with your body. We'd love to welcome you to our Yoga classes at either our Camp Hill or Coorparoo studio. First, let us share with you the benefits of this incredible practice!
The benefits of Yin Yoga:
Yin Yoga has many advantages that might help you reduce stress and anxiety, ease pain and tension, and enhance your general well-being. Daily life is already tremendously hectic, occasionally stressful, and constantly on the move. Hence why we’re so keen to share the benefits that Yin Yoga has to offer!
Decreases anxiety and stress:
It appears that everyone experiences stress or anxiety to some extent in today’s fast-paced society. Yin Yoga is a particularly tranquil practice that aids in soothing the anxious energy that so many of us deal with on a daily basis. The concept of surrender is prevalent in Yin Yoga, and when paired with slow movements and attention to the breath, Yin is an excellent technique to help reduce tension and anxiety on a physical and an emotional level.
Improves strength and perseverance:
Yin Yoga cultivates a deeper inner strength, resilience, and tenacity rather than the physical strength that associates with most other styles of Yoga. Yin tells you that in order to progress, you must be still and address each issue one breath at a time. Yin teaches us that there is power in surrender and how to silence the chatter of the mind in order to arrive at a point of calm and acceptance rather than trying to escape, divert our attention, or escape the discomfort. We learn how to be kind, patient, and nonreactive from Yin. It is a technique that is very helpful both on and off the mat.
Improves sleep and relaxation:
Taking the time to intentionally ground and transition from your day into a state of relaxation can help calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep. Yin Yoga helps to ground excess mental energy whilst soothing the nervous system so that we can sleep better, longer, and deeper. Specific practices like Yin Yoga can provide us with the night of sleep that we all need and deserve!
Where to find a Yin Yoga class:
Join us at Premium Pilates and Fitness to enjoy a dose of relaxation throughout your week. We’re Brisbane’s most affordable Pilates and group fitness studio, with Pilates, Yoga, Barre, HIIT, and more in our Brisbane studios. Re-energise your mind and body at our Camp Hill or Coorparoo studio and dive into the world of Yoga with a $15 trial week today, where we offer both Yin Yoga and Hatha Yoga classes. Find your zen in one of the many classes we teach throughout the week, both morning and evening.
If you can’t get into a studio, you can access a variety of classes in the Premium Pilates & Fitness Online Studio from just $1 a day. Enjoy Yin Yoga, Hatha, Fusion, and more with your favourite PPF instructors, anywhere, anytime! Start your 7-day free trial today.
Interested in Yoga and want to know more? Find out how Yoga can help you minimise stress and enhance relaxation. Read our blog ‘How to manage stress through Yoga’ here!
