What is Fascia?
~A Closer Look Into Fascia & Yin Yoga~
By Anna Caldwell
What is fascia and why are we talking about it in yin yoga? Understanding fascia is a key component to understanding some of the many benefits of a yin yoga practice. Stated simply, fascia is a type of connective tissue stemming from the Latin root meaning “bandage” or “band.” Fasciae are tough layers of connective tissue found throughout the entire human body. Leading scientists in the field say that it is the most expansive communication system in the body.
Fascia surrounds every organ, stretching in between them from the tip of your toes all the way to the top of your head. You can imagine that fascia is like one big inter-connected spider web of tissue that helps us make coordinated movements and keeps our body position in tact. There is no beginning and there is no end to this fascial matrix and without it, we lack our form and function. It is one of the greatest organizational systems of the body!
Our fascia acts as an inner scaffolding by attaching, stabilizing, supporting, enclosing and separating muscles and our internal organs. This system is a tensional network for the human body. Additionally, fascia provides a moveable wrapping for our nerves and blood vessels as they pass through our bodies. Bottom line, the importance of this massive organ cannot be understated! In yin yoga, the health of our connective tissue is of paramount importance.
But how? In a yin yoga practice, we stress our connective tissues.
Stated simply, the answer to this question lies in circulation. Circulation in our bodies is what brings us vitality, the circulation of prana (vital life force energy) and in Chinese Medicine, this circulation of life force is known as Qi. The fascial layers we are targeting in yin yoga are those deep, had-to-reach layers that we don’t stimulate or work in heated yang-style classes. By holding asana postures from 3-15 minutes in a yin class, we relax the muscles to move past them and the superficial layers of fascia into the deep, yin fascial layers. These deep layers of fascial connective tissue are composed of collagen, which gives tissue elasticity and resiliency. Understanding yin yoga and the benefits this practice has for our deep fascial system is all about providing long-term mobility and strength in our joints and the deepest parts of our body.
When our fascia is healthy:
- We move more freely
- We have greater resilience and strength in our tissues
- Our bodily can more easily conduct energy
- Increased mobility
When our fascia is unhealthy:
- We tend to feel more dehydrated
- We feel stiff in our bodies causing restrictions in mobility
- We experience decreased flexibility
If you are interested in learning more about functional anatomy as it pertains to yin yoga, Shanti Atma Yoga offers a variety of Yin Yoga Trainings that keep will transform both your teaching and personal practice:
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Online:
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 100 hour Functional Anatomy and Chinese Medicine
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 100 hour Pranayama, Meditation and Mindfulness
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 80 hour Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 50 hour Neuroplasticity and Mindfulness
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 50 hour Essential Oils and Emotional Intelligence
Residential Yoga Teacher Training:
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 100 hour Functional Anatomy and Chinese Medicine
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 100 hour Pranayama, Meditation and Mindfulness
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 80 hour Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 50 hour Neuroplasticity and Mindfulness
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 50 hour Essential Oils and Emotional Intelligence
Yin Yoga Teacher Training: 200 hour 5 Bodies Approach
Yoga Philosophy: 100 Hour Life Management with Yogic Values of 5 Koshas
Locations:
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Bali
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Thailand
Yin Yoga Teacher Training India
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Spain
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Australia
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Guatemala
We also have a variety of Yin Yoga Retreats and Yoga Holidays:
Yin Yang Yoga Retreat Spain: Rest and Revive Retreat
Yin Yoga Retreat Bali: Sacred Space Yoga
