Benefits Of Yin Yoga

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Go Deep With The Spiritual Benefits Of Yin Yoga

Yoga is wildly taking storm in the United States.  It’s as if every person I meet is either a well experienced “Yogi” or is very open minded to the idea of stretching, sweating, and placing their bodies in a very awkward (at first) position that is “supposed” to feel good.

As any regular yoga practitioner will tell you, their first downward dog, eagle pose, or triangle was NOT the most graceful or elegant.  Over time yoga benefits more than just the body…The mind, spirit and soul become rejuvenated with consistent practice and has the ability to transform your life into more than you’ve ever imagined.

I’ve personally been practicing yoga, the Hot Bikram Style now for exactly 2 years as this article is written.   My first class was on February 1st, 2011.   Today Saturday February 2nd 2013, I was choosing my class of the day and realized that I should probably switch it up.

Life’s more fun with more variety!

Bikram and more popular forms of Yoga focus on Yang energy which is considered masculine. Yang is very expanding, active, energetic, outward, and lighter (less dense).  Yang is fast moving and expands outward.

The benefits of Yin Yoga, as I have researched and experienced, focuses on the inward, the cold, the feminine energy.  Stretching into the deep connective tissue, holding poses for up to 10 minutes (sometimes longer I think) that helps creates space and rejuvenation throughout those areas.

Spiritual, Psychological Benefits Of Yin Yoga.

I’ll share my personal experience from the psychological and spiritual benefits of yin yoga.

The few time’s I’ve practiced Yin Yoga has been a HUGE challenge for me.  I love fitness, I love working out…I love going fast…And I Love the heat of Bikram style.

So for me to go into a ssllllooooowwwwww….Llllooooooonnnnngggg pose is far more of a mental challenge than physical.  Although it does cause physical discomfort!

To me, that’s the beauty of Yoga…The more you can commit yourself to going consistently and challenging yourself to stay and move through the pain…The more you train your mind and spirit the ability to do the same…

This = a greater ability to stay focused on your work, your passion and life.  Pushing though physical pain or discomfort directly resonates with your ability to push through mental pains or discomforts.  Thus allowing you to become more successful and prosperous in life.

I also notice after a Yin class that my hips and pelvic area feel extremely open, extremely oxygenated and refreshed.  For some, moving through Yin poses causes sadness, fear, anxiety, and even great joy and happiness.  Why?

Muscle, tissue, blood and our cells are made up of energy.  Energy that was created long before our physical bodies came to life.  This energy, or life force, makes up the matter and tissue we call muscle, ligaments, and tendons “holds” thought energy.  Since our pelvic area, glutes and legs are our largest group of tissue, we hold a TON of energy (thought and emotions) in those areas.  So when we hold yin poses for long periods of time, we are, in essence stretching, releasing and rejuvenating those areas of energy.

In many cases our deepest emotions, thoughts and feelings get stored in our pelvic region.  Hence, upon stretching, those emotions get released yielding some type of physical emotional release of energy.

This is a GREAT thing.

Allowing your body to release this energy creates NEW space for new energy, new thoughts, and new emotions to fill the void.

This is why Yoga in general, has been shown to create such magical life changing results for people all across the world.

My personal results on an emotional level from practicing Yin yoga has left me feeling very open, extremely relaxed and appreciative for the moment.

I also feel a little loose…Like gumby or something….Wobbly would be a good way to put it.

My heart feels open.  And my soul feels refreshed.

The video below is an inspiring Yogi.  Enjoy!