Are you an active individual looking for pain relief, increased joint mobility, or even recovery from injury? Perhaps you are seeking a new wellness practice that allows for deeper connection to and release from emotional trauma. In a world of fast and immediate, how can we slow down and be present in this moment? When we desire to live an active life, free from pain and emotional imbalance we search for possibilities.

Yoga and more specifically Yin Yoga may be the unexplored path you are looking for. Yin Yoga was founded in the late 1970’s by Paulie Zink, a martial arts expert, and Taoist yoga teacher. Initially, Yin yoga was considered to be a complimentary practice rather than a complete practice on its own, meant to enhance other sports, yoga styles, or exercises. With Yin Yoga, we focus on the connective tissues, tendons, and ligaments while also bringing balance to our emotional connections through our meridian systems.

You might be wondering, what is a meridian system? It’s a great question! In Traditional Chinese Medicine our meridian system consists of pathways through which our life force energy or “Qi” flows. Although not physically tangible anatomical structures in the body, there are 12 main meridians that correspond to organs. These 12 main meridians are divided into 6 Yin and 6 Yang energies. In today’s culture, we spend most of our time in Yang energy, in a fight-or-flight state with fatigued adrenals and high levels of inflammatory cortisol. We strive to live in Yin energy, in a state of rest and digestion with balanced hormone levels and healthy organ systems.

Each meridian corresponds to an organ in the body which also houses an emotional state. For example, the liver organ is responsible for detoxifying the blood, maintaining balanced function in the peripheral nervous system, and promoting the health of tendons and ligaments. It also creates harmony within our emotions and sustains mental clarity. When thrown out of balance, our entire emotional state and well-being are affected.

I became interested in Yin Yoga specifically during the 2020 lockdown in the pandemic. I launched my yoga business via Zoom to connect with others in a new and exciting way while also providing physical healing. I want to share my journey with you and educate you on the what and why of Yin Yoga but first, let’s start with the basics.

You may be asking yourself, “How will Yin Yoga help me?” Yin Yoga is a different style of yoga that allows us to “sit” with our pain, both physically and emotionally. It encourages us to be still with our racing thoughts and tight muscles providing a gentler approach to our overall healing journey.

If you are curious about yoga but have thought “I’m not flexible enough” or “I don’t have the right body type” Yin Yoga may be your next exploration.

Yin asanas or poses may look similar to other styles of yoga, but the names are different and the way we enter and exit a pose is much softer and slower. We hold Yin poses for longer periods with most of our practice done on the floor, using bolsters to create a sense of safety, support, and reduced strain.

This allows our focus to shift towards our fascial system and energy network rather than solely on stretching. A Yin practice is more energy-focused, connecting our emotional state with how we feel in our bodies. Yin also emphasizes mobilizing and strengthening our joint system, which stabilizes our movement. When we are pain-free in our joints, our movement becomes effortless rather than stiff and achy.

When we feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally we are less inclined to rely on pain medications for relief. We reduce the need for self-medication and have more energy to engage with life. Releasing past traumas frees our emotional and mental state, allowing us to be more present not only in the moment but also for our family, friends, and most importantly ourselves.

Now that you have a bit more information about this different style of yoga, how can you connect with Yin? You can start by Googling Yin Yoga in your local area. Many studios now offer Yin classes and Yin Yoga is gaining popularity in mainstream yoga studios. You can also find great books like “Yin Yoga Essential Poses and Sequences for Balanced Energy” by Diane R. Paylor. Additionally, you can try online Yin Yoga classes with Annie Au, a trauma-informed Yin Yoga educator available on YouTube.

Yin yoga is suitable for all body types, ages, and physical capabilities. All poses can be modified and supported. My Veterans class was very popular for these reasons and the transformations we experienced together were phenomenal. There is nothing inhibiting your ability to explore this beautiful practice and discover what it can offer you.

As we explore together, I will continue to explain each meridian and organ relationship and share poses that will help move the energy and support the physical body.