How does Yin Yoga work?
how yin yoga works on a physical level
On a physical level, yin yoga targets the connective tissue of our body known as fascia. Similar to a spiderweb, fascia are intricate, delicate yet flexible fibres that hold everything together. Fascia provide stability within our bodies. Imagine a three-dimensional web underneath our skin that attaches, encloses, separates or runs through muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments and bone – even organs, blood vessels and cells. In a nutshell, fascia provide for the structural support and interconnected function of our bodies.
Healthy fascia is supple and glides. Lack of movement and lack of fluids, however, cause fascia to become dehydrated and sticky, which infringes upon our range of motion. Mental tension, too, can cause fascia to contract.
Muscle tissue responds well to heat and quick repetitive movement (such as running, swimming, lifting weights, doing push-ups or dance work-outs). Fascia, however, respond well to gentle compression held for longer periods of time. In yin yoga, we therefore hold the postures for at least three minutes, taking care to transition slowly and mindfully in between postures.
how yin yoga works on an energetic level
Yin yoga is a restorative practice. Depending on the nature of postures practiced during a yin yoga sequence, participating in a yin session has the potential to activate our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
The PNS is the part of our autonomic nervous system responsible for establishing a rest and digest state in our body and mind. If the PNS is activated, our bodies are able to restore. On the one hand, it does this by releasing experiences, sensations or food that no longer serve us. On the other hand, it assimilates the things that are of value to sustain our health.
In an intelligently sequenced yin yoga class, the combination of deliberate, deep breathing techniques are aligned with the energetic impact of each physical shape we create with our bodies. In these cases, yin yoga has a deeply soothing effect on our nervous system.
