Subtle power of Yin Yoga

In addition to Mysore practise 6 mornings a week, Louise guides us through afternoon Yin Yoga classes twice a week. Ashtanga and Yin Yoga are commonly practised together and I am beginning to understand, and feel first hand in my body, why.

Yin yoga is pretty much the opposite of Ashtanga's more Yang qualities. Rather than flowing through endless vinyasas and holding poses for only 5 ujjayi breaths, with Yin yoga we drop into restorative poses with very little concern for alignment and hold them for an infinatly long 5 minutes. While the Ashtanga system can offer flexibility, it is primarily a practise of inner and physical strength, whereas Yin yoga is all about getting into those tight areas and opening them up.

Wow. I have never experienced such wild and squirrly sensations in my nervous system as I have in the last week with such long holds in hip opening poses. The Yin postures focus alot on opening the hips and groins, which are two very tight areas in this body of mine. Getting into a restorative version of eka pada rajakapotasana (pidgeon) and staying there for 5 minutes certainly can bring up a lot. It's quite the feat to try to endure through the reactions of the nervous systems and move towards peace of mind in the pose. We store tensions throughout our bodies and yoga asanas are, in part, designed to purify our physical bodies by slowly releasing such blockages. Never before have I felt this so clearly as I have lately with Yin yoga.

I think it is the perfect compliment to the Ashtanga system because it teaches the body to completely disengage and simply drop into the pose allowing gravity to take over for long periods of time. There is no physical exertion. It feels like a true process of actively letting go in such a subtle way and yet the effects are profound. Already after a few classes I can see and feel the difference in my hips and more so in my mind. We can than take these openings into the more engaging and strength building Ashtanga practise.

Yin yoga teaches us how to go to the 'edge' in the pose - the very place where the sensations (not pain) are awakened - and then to just BE there. It's not often in our lives or in our practise that we sustain discomfort. Most often our response is to change something fast and make it 'better.' I find even in the Ashtanga practise it can be too easy to speed up the 5 ujjayi breaths when in an uncomfortable pose and quickly move on to the next. But in Yin yoga you are committed. There is no where to go for 5 whole minutes. I find sustaining this is precisely what some especially tight areas in this body of mine require.

It's also an excellent exercise for our minds. Louise talks to us about various insightful aspects of yoga and life during the 5 minutes and the other day she reminded us that not everything is supposed to be comfortable. So simple yet so true. She encouraged us to BE with the sensations arising, rather than trying to change them, and allow them to release. I seem to constantly be learning and re-learning this powerful message and Yin yoga is currently my teacher.

I feel Louise is the most fitting woman to guide me through such difficult and profound openings that appear to be deeply entrenched. There is a point when my nervous system is reacting so strongly and I just want to get out of the pose immediately. I find having Louise's gentle nature hold the space and remind us to just BE present is reassuring and calming. The practise feels like a reflection of her personality. It is the subtle power of Yin yoga that has strong effects, which is precisely the style that Louise teaches and eminates.

I look forward to seeing what else I can let go of through this subtle, yet profound practise.