The Power of Yin Yoga
Breathe a sigh of relief – it’s time to slow down and be part of the yin crowd.
Turning inward during winter is a natural shift in response to the cold, darker days. Winter invites us to slow down and nourish ourselves more deeply with stillness, reflection, rest and restoration.
It is the season of yin energy – relaxed and inward. A quiet time to heal, rebuild your reserves and listen to the muted voice hushed by constant noise. Yin invites us to bundle up against the cold, build our immune system with healing soups and stews, and embrace gentle self-care practices that provide balance and protect our energy in colder months.
Turn inward to a new you with yin yoga and unwind and release tension through slow, deep stretches. Unlike the more vigorous, dynamic styles of yoga like Bikram, power and Ashtanga, the yin style is more meditative and passive, inviting you to calm the mind and stretch the body through long-held poses.
While yang relates to movement, often repetitive movement that creates heat in the body by continually moving in and out of different poses, yin is all about finding stillness and cooling by holding each asana (posture). We need both in order to be balanced and yin is the perfect complement to active yang training and connecting to your physical body and emotions.
Yin is practised sitting or lying on the floor. Long, static poses and the resolve to be still – from 2 to 6 minutes and even longer – target the deep connective tissues, bones, joints, and ligaments and work on balance and alignment by stretching and strengthening the body for increased flexibility.
This gentle practice has so many benefits beyond enhanced limberness and joint mobility, including improved circulation and stress relief by calming the nervous system and releasing stored emotional tension. As you coordinate your breathing with moving through different held postures, you’ll welcome a feeling of inner flow as you unblock stagnant energy.
Don’t be fooled by the seemingly subdued, gentle nature of this yoga. It’s not always easy or comfortabl,e but through practice and slowly stretching into a zone of discomfort, you go deeper into your body and find your edge. The longer you hold, the deeper the stretch. The more you stretch, the more connective tissue can give, especially the less flexible tissues in your body.
At Ste. Anne’s Spa, our Yin Restorative Yoga wellness classes provide slow-paced stretching designed to relax and gently restore your body’s natural rhythm and nervous system. This class includes support from props like bolsters, blocks and blankets for comfort and ease.
All fitness levels are invited to stretch into comfort, not perfection. Foster patience, mental clarity and balance for overall well-being. Come experience time under tension as it stresses and strengthens our connective tissue, and over time, our bodies and minds stretch with the calming and revitalizing effects.
Explore the path to holistic wellness by integrating the mind, body and spirit with movement, mindfulness, massage and nutrition at our beautiful spa. Simple, sustainable practices nurture self-compassion and awareness and support a healthier, happier you through the continuing cold months.
Be one with yin flow – to rest, digest, consolidate and reflect – in our soothing space and witness your wellbeing flourish in restorative and wonderful ways. Savour the season and be ready for the beckoning energy of yang just around the corner.
