Yin Yoga
- Yin Yoga: This modern form of yoga aims at the connective tissue in the body, viz. tendons and ligaments, through a series of predefined postures. The form requires holding a pose for a certain period of time while concentrating on breathing. It often leads to an increase in concentration, mental stability, and patience.
Yin yoga is now extremely popular in Europe. The postures you adopt in this form of yoga are mainly aimed at strengthening and relaxing connective tissue and joints; they stretch deeper muscles and loosen the pelvic area.
In the first instance, the postures are intended to be able to meditate longer in the Lotus position, but it is especially nice exercise for those who have a sedentary profession.
Explore and push boundaries with Yin In Yin yoga positions are held longer, so you have more time to explore and push your limits. You don't use your body to get into a pose, but you use the pose to feel better about your body. It is therefore the relatively calm nature of a Yin yoga class that appeals to most participants.
The class is so nice because you do not have to move very intensively, but can take the time for your body. The founder of Yin yoga is the American Paul Grilley, who has been teaching yoga and anatomy since 1980. He bases his theory on the research and writings of Hiroshi Motoyama, a yogi and scientist from Tokyo with extensive knowledge of energy channels and acupuncture.
Muscles and connective tissue Where you contract and relax your muscles in most sports, Yin yoga is all about letting go of as many muscles as possible. "You focus on the connective tissue and weights in the area where you feel the stretch," says Ramkeka.
In his book Yin Yoga: Outline of a quiet practice, Grilley explains that difference: "The connective tissue and the joints are yin, because they are stiff and not elastic. The muscles are yang: elastic and soft. "The terms yin and yang can be applied to everything. Yang represents the extrovert, the changeable and the mobile. Yin represents the introverted, stable and immobile.
So earth and the dark are yin, and air and light yang. Yang sports therefore focus on the strength of the muscles. "It's not muscle power that makes us fit, though," Grilley said. "It's all about the flexibility of the joints and connective tissue. You see it in athletes. They don't end their careers because of a lack of muscles, but because of problems with their joints. Yin yoga is the way to repair and strengthen connective tissue and joints.
Yin: sitting and lying down exercises even those who are not a top athlete or prima ballerina will benefit from Yin yoga. If you have a sedentary job, for example, you put stress on the joints and connective tissue in your pelvis and back.
Your muscles are constantly working to keep your body upright. As a result, they shorten. With Yin yoga you let go of those muscles. The postures are therefore performed sitting or lying down.
Yin yoga is best practised in the morning. The muscles are still stiff, so you can reach the connective tissues and joints more quickly.
Yang yoga You achieve the greatest effect when you practice Yin yoga in combination with a yang yoga form, such as Dynamic yoga or Power yoga. Yin yoga can also complement a yang sport, such as running, swimming and fitness.
For the right balance between the two, a Yin yoga class consists of an alternation of longer holding yin postures and short yang positions. A lesson is also concluded with a yang series, which is based on movements from the martial arts.