Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Flow are Yang styles of yoga. They focus on your muscles. But then there also is Yin Yoga.
Yin Yoga stresses your joints and plastic tissues, in a way that promotes healing and regeneration. It is more meditative and slow, which really allows you to focus on your mind and notice the physical sensations in your body. We hold each pose for approximately 8 minutes. During this time, the compression starves the joint of fluid, which helps to open the fascia. Once the pose is released, we practice a rebound pose to allow blood to flow back to the set area. This encourages healthy joints and promotes healing.
Of course, the above explanation is a physical one. On an energetic level, these practices open up blockages and restore your energetic flow. While in each pose, we guide you to sit with your thoughts. If you are feeling stuck in certain aspects of your life, these exercises will help you move the energy and encourage balance.
Yin Yoga is best practiced when our muscles are cool. This means the best practice time is late at night, early in the morning, or at times when energy needs to be conserved. Either way, we shouldn’t practice Yin Yoga immediately after another yoga or work-out session.
All of this might sound a bit intense, but Yin Yoga is actually the favorite style of Michelle, Artsy & Me’s main yoga teacher!
Benefits
- Calms the mind and body
- Lengthens connective tissue
- Increases flexibility
- Boosts circulation
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Balances the internal organs
Yin Yoga vs. Restorative Yoga
| YIN YOGA | RESTORATIVE YOGA | |
| Time per pose | 6 to 10 minutes | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Feeling | Moving into sensation, possibly with some support | Little to no sensation and lots of support |
| When to practice | When the body is cool (So please do not practice this after another class!) | When the body is warm or cool (This is an excellent routine at the end of a flow class!) |
Schedule
Every Friday:
- Central Time (U.S.A.) = 1:30 – 2:30PM
- Amsterdam = 8:30 – 9:30PM
- Dubai = 10:30 – 11:30PM