Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra Coming Soon!!!!!

Starting NEXT WEEK, I'll be offering a Yin Yoga class on Wednesday nights at HeartStream Yoga and Wellness.  I'm very excited to have the opportunity to offer this class.  I first encountered Yin yoga 4 or 5 years ago, and have taken every chance since to engage in this luscious practice.  It is a very simple, but very deep and very effective practice of long holds (3 minutes or more per pose). 

Yin Yoga with Yoga Nidra

Yin Yoga is a quiet, internal practice of being present with the body and with what is arising in the mind.  It is a physically passive practice of deep compression and release.  It is derived from Taoist Yoga and is a beautiful complement to an active (vinyasa, yang) yoga practice by making your regular yoga practice ‘juicier.”  Additionally, Yin Yoga can be an effective way to address postural and structural imbalances in the body.

In this yin yoga class we will:

• Create space in the body
• Lubricate the joints to find ease and greater range of motion
• Clear and open the energy channels in the body, allowing from greater circulation of chi and prana
• Release the tension held in the Fascia (this is the same tension that massage practices such as myo-fascial release and Rolfing address)
• Marinate the connective tissues- tendons, ligaments and fascia- as well as the bones and joints in order to increase ease and flexibility and improve the functioning of the body as a system

Each class will end with a Yoga Nidra session.  Yoga Nidra is a practice of dynamic relaxation that has been shown to dramatically reduce stress.  In studies, it has been shown to be effective for battling burnout, curbing anxiety, and alleviating PTSD.  It is also incredibly supportive to creative work.  Yoga Nidra is practiced in a comfortable lying down position and is similar to a guided visualization.  It encourages the body’s parasympathetic nervous system to engage the rest and heal response while it invites the mind to drop into theta brainwaves thereby effecting profound restoration and healing. 

For More info on Yoga Nidra, Check out these articles:

 Reflections of Peace: Yoga Nidra for Anxiety article in Yoga Journal by Katherine Griffin

Healing Life's Traumas article in Yoga Journal by Denis Wills

Article by Karen Brody (iRest is a version of Yoga Nidra)


For More info on Yin Yoga, Check out these sites

Paul Grilley's Website

Yin Yoga article by Paul Grilley in Yoga Journal

Yin Yoga Interview with Sarah Powers