Yin-Tastic

While volunteering at Suryalila, I was offered the opportunity to teach a 4 day Yoga retreat. As I learned leading this retreat would require teaching daily Yin Yoga classes, the nerves started to kick in. As someone who has only taken a handful of Yin Yoga classes - and struggled to enjoy them - I didn't think I was ready to teach Yin.

My teacher at Suryalila lent me The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark - a wonderful book filled with Yin philosophy, anatomy, and sample sequences.  At first, I skipped through the 'fluff' and straight to the sequences - that's all I needed - so I thought.

I wrote out the sequences - highlighting the benefits and modifications for each posture, setting up all the necessary props - I've got this.

More Than Just Postures

In Yin Yoga, postures are held for 2-5 minutes. As a very Yang person, two minutes felt like a lifetime! I found myself constantly checking my timer, waiting for the silence to be over so I could cue the next posture. 

However, the more I relaxed, the more I let go of my perception that the 'fluff' was silly, even unnecessary. I began simply observing the room and speaking to what I believed students were experiencing - the fight-or-flight emotions, the frustration, the vulnerability. I could see students begin to relax, to surrender, to soften. I found myself feeling a sense of calm as the Yang energy left my body and I soaked in the energy from the room.

Not Everything Is As It Seems

As I look around the room, seeing if I can help students feel more comfortable, if they are struggling, seem bored, etc, I notice quite a few students checking out their nails, adjusting clothing, looking as though they can't wait for class to be over. 

However, after each Yin class, I receive the most wonderful feedback. Students leave looking as if they are in a daze, almost floating out of the studio. 

Our daily lives tend to be more Yang than Yin oriented - making Yin Yoga quite challenging for the mind, for the body. To be quiet, to be still. I believe the more challenging Yin Yoga is for you, the more you need it. 

Yin Lessons

Yin Yoga teaches you to let go of the asana and to embrace the sensations. To let go of outer experiences and to open up to the emotions. 

Why do you practice Yin Yoga?

xx