Yin yoga is a gentle, slow-paced style of yoga that focuses on holding the poses for an extended period of time with minimal effort and an emphasis on deep relaxation, releasing tension and promoting a sense of overall wellbeing. Yin yoga targets the connective tissue, namely the FASCIA. Fascia is hydrated and nurtured by stretching and compressing the tissue. Healthy and well hydrated connective tissue allows us to feel more flexible in our bodies and less stiff and rigid. Day to Day movement becomes more easeful, joyful and graceful. As fascia needs time to respond, the longer holding time of the poses promotes mindfulness, single pointed focus and the ability to practice being with what arises. May that be physical sensations, emotions, images, feelings, conversations, day dreams, aha moments, ideas etc. Consequently, off the mat you may experience reduced stress, anxiety and overwhelm. And the ability to be with what is without reacting, without judging, or without making it mean anything is the most underrated lifeskill of our times.
How to set up for CAT PULLING ITS TAIL.
Lie on one side of your body. Take the leg touching the ground back from under neath you, bend your knee and grab your foot with your top hand. Opposite foot held by opposite hand = we have a twist.
Now let your torso, your head, and your top shoulder roll backwards toward your cat’s tail, your bent leg. And let yourself open your chest and shoulders. You can prop up your shoulder and / or arm if it doesn’t get to the floor.
As you can see in the picture here, you can extend and support your top leg. Or bent it and let the knee come to the floor. Feel into what feels best for you.
Benefits.
This posture provides an effective stretch for the whole body. The twisting action in the entire spine helps release tension and tightness, promoting spinal mobility and increased comfort in daily movement. The twist across front and side body also aids digestion.
Because one arm reaches back and holds onto the opposite foot, it creates a deep stretch for the chest and shoulders, counteracting the effects of poor posture and prolonged sitting.
Depending on how tight the hand holds the foot, we may also experience a satisfying quadricep stretch.
Lastly, the benefits of Relaxation for the whole body and mind. Yin is often referred to as “the practice of surrender”.
Holding Time and Rebound.
Each side can be held for up to 7 minutes. Don’t forget to do a REBOUND after. This simply means you lie down flat on your back. With a bolster underneath your knees for comfort and observe your body coming back into a neutral position. Also observing the energies coming back into balance.
Remember to approach any yoga posture with patience and with listening to your body’s strengths and limitations. Find what nourishes you on any given day.
Happy practicing. Let me know how you go.