Yin Yoga is a practice for a deeper release in the body, right into our deeper connective tissues, past the muscles. The deeper connective tissues need time to feel and notice change, this is why the approach in Yin Yoga is to hold postures in stillness and for time. Time allows those tissues to become stronger and/or release tension that’s built up from stress, being too stagnant and/or even in some cases being too active.
The deeper tissues of our bodies, are made up of the fascia, joints, tendons and ligaments. They’re considered more rigid and plastic in nature which requires a different approach. Movement primarily focus on our muscles. Stillness with passive held postures focuses on deeper release. Modalities like massage therapy, rolfing are some other examples. Tension can be stored deeper and working our muscles with repetitive movements, doesn’t necessarily target where the tension starts. Deeper. How Bernie Clark describes this still, deeper practice, “Yin Yoga is the other half you’re missing” (2015).
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