YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US AT COMMUNITY YOGA CENTER FOR YIN YOGA WITH KRISTIN!
Yin yoga is a gentle, slow-paced postural yoga practice where poses are held for extended periods of time. Three-minute holds are not uncommon. Most yin yoga poses are seated or supine, and engage the lower half of the body, opening and releasing tension the lumber spine, pelvis, hips, hamstrings, and thighs. Postures engaging the upper body are less common, however shoulder openers can be adapted for yin asana practice.
The sustained traction of yin yoga reaches deep connective tissue, stretching and stimulating fascia, tendons, and ligaments – especially when muscles are not engaged. With muscles relaxed, the connective tissues around joints can be accessed without interference at a deeper level, allowing them to be remodeled and revitalized.
Because muscles are relaxed in yin yoga, it’s important to use supports like blocks, bolsters, blankets, and straps to protect joints, ligaments, and tendons from overstretching. The supports allow the body to surrender to gravity without causing any injury or pain.
We practice indoors, in a large room. We recommend wearing comfortable layered clothing to help regulate preferred body temperature. If you have postural practice supports like mats, blankets, bolsters, blocks, and straps, please bring them with you. We have community practice supports for you to use as well. Feel free to borrow any community practice support to facilitate and enhance your practice.
We also suggest bringing water to maintain hydration after practice.
No experience is necessary and there is never a cost. We welcome everyBODY. We so hope to practice with YOU in commUNITY!
WE ARE BUILT ON GIVING
Our practice opportunities are provided solely through voluntary giving. The giving of many is what allows the practice opportunities to be offered so freely. Anyone who’s experienced benefit from our offerings is invited to give for the benefit of others.
In giving, we loosen the grip of our greatest source of suffering - self-absorption. We expand our hearts in a way that recognizes we are not actually separate from others. Giving is a letting go of a sense of separateness that’s based in ignorance. When we practice giving, we feel into how we all depend on one another - how we are all part of the whole. In this way, giving is the natural response of the awakened heart. Every act of giving is an opportunity to feel into the lack of separation between the one who gives and the one who receives.
You’re invited to give according to your volition and means - in whatever ways resonate with you. You might like to make monetary donations, contribute to our collective resources, or dedicate your time and skill to assist the community.
A NOTE ON THE GIFTS OF YIN YOGA
Injury, inactivity, and aging tends to bind connective tissue together, creating adhesions that restrict movement between the surfaces of muscles and bones. These adhesions block the flow of nutrients and energy through the body, causing pain and limiting mobility. Tenderly holding poses applies mild stress that breaks up adhesions. This can result in measurable increases in physical flexibility without compromising stability.
Long holds also increase circulation and lubrication at the joints. Deep connective tissue is softly squeezed, twisted, and compressed, becoming hydrated and more pliable. With age, the body becomes drier and less elastic. Stressing the connective tissues at the joints increases the production of hyaluronic acid and synovial fluid that nourishes the body.
Tenderly softening the body in yin yoga soothes the nervous system, especially when combined with slow, deep belly breathing.
Practicing presence and being with “what is” develops patience, clarity, and the capacity to be with a wide range of experience. All types of asana practice can heighten our moment-to-moment awareness. However, resolving to remain still in yin yoga practice provides an opportunity to stay with experience and surrender any need to manipulate and control. This can create conditions for clear perception, about ourselves and the nature of reality – yinsight!