The Benefits of Yin Yoga Asana – A Guide for Yoga Teachers

Written by Mary-Rose Dias

Yin yoga is currently growing in popularity in the western world. Many people are drawn to this slower, more spacious  and passive style of yoga. Yin yoga is the perfect anti-dote to the fast-paced, yang lifestyle that many of us are currently living, and can serve as an ultimate compliment to yang styles of yoga such as vinyasa, ashtanga and iyengar. Yin Yoga is a highly beneficial, holistic practice and can support optimal health and well-being on a physical, mental, energetic and emotional level.

Yin yoga asana has benefits for the body on a physical level. When we practice yin yoga we are working with and stimulating the connective tissue, preventing degeneration and stimulating production of hyuralonic acid which supports our blood flow and lymphatic drainage. Yin yoga asana allows for myo-facial release which can increase our range of mobility, promote longevity and health of joints and encourage movement of fluid in the body. Yin yoga asana also activates our parasympathetic nervous system, and on a physical level this means that the asana supports healthy digestion, reduces inflammation in the body and improves immune functioning.

On an energetic level yin yoga asana benefits the body by working in accordance with the Chinese meridian system and energy pathways. Yin yoga asana can stimulate the flow of qi, harmonise energy flow, unblock stagnant or stuck qi and naturally restore the body’s energetic system.

Yin yoga asana benefits the body on a mental level because it offers a bridge to meditation and conscious awareness. When practicing yin yoga asana we are encouraged to connect with ourselves, cultivate a meditative focus, detach from wants and desires and accept with compassion all that is. Also, because yin yoga asana activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the practice supports our minds to find calm and balance.

On an emotional level, yin yoga asana also has benefits for the body. The combination of the asana activating the parasympathetic nervous system as well as the emphasis on space and safety while practicing supports us to reduce stress and notice and become aware of, and process our emotions in a non-threatening way. Yin yoga asana can also support with improving sleep which has a positive impact on our emotional health.

Yin yoga asana offers many benefits, and when practiced safely with a skilled yin yoga teacher, yin yoga asana can improve health and well-being on a physical, energetic, mental and emotional level.

To dive deeper into this topic and learn more about how to teach yin yoga, Shanti Atma Yoga offers a variety of trainings exploring the many avenues to self-healing, teacher development and deepening your yoga 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 Yin 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

Yin Yoga Training Locations:

Yin Yoga Teacher Training Bali
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Thailand
Yin Yoga Teacher Training India
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Spain

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