The Power of Yin Yoga

As an ex triathlete, I know the feeling of pushing through training to achieve your best time and performance for the race! But without a yin balance, this can lead to high cortisol levels, cause injury, fatigue, poor immune health and poor performance.

It was only when I discovered yin yoga, I realised the importance of stretching for the lengthening and releasing effects of fascia. Fascia is a web like connective tissue that surrounds our muscles, ligaments, joint capsules, tendons, bones and organs. Yin Yoga targets these deeper connective tissues to increase range of motion when tension is stopping us far more than our muscles, it also improves circulation and leads to greater flexibility.

The structure of our fascia has 3 layers:

1. Superficial (under the skin)

2. Visceral (around the organs)

3. Myofascia (around the muscles)

Yin Yoga is made up of seated and lying down postures. It's a slower practice than a yang dynamic style of yoga and rehabilitates the connective tissues that form our joints with stretches lasting 3-5 minutes. As the fascia gets stretched, it gets hydrated and then creates 'gel sol', a tingling warmth release in your body.

From an energetic perspective, the poses help to open up the Chinese meridian channels of the body and get the stagnant Chi or Qi which refers to the life force energy, creating balance, improving organ function, immunity and emotional wellbeing.

A yin yoga practice can really help you relax through your breath and ease yourself into stillness releasing hormones like endorphins and serotonin, promoting calmness and bringing you to a state of internal awareness. Yes that's right....you begin to really know your body and listen to your bodily sensations leaving you feeling amazing!