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FAQ

What is Yang Yoga, and how does it differ from Yin?

Most forms of Hatha yoga practices are yang. This includes Astanga Vinyasa, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Bikram… Basically any form of yoga where the focus is on muscular work and effort. Postures which are active involve the rhythmic contraction and release of muscles. Although it is impossible to totally isolate muscle from connective tissue, the difference is the focus. In Yin you are trying to feel your bones, focusing on the areas directly around your bones, taking the attention deeper than the more superficial muscle layer of the body.

Which is better for you, Yin or Yang Yoga?

Neither. They are complementary and both necessary for harmony and balance. Yang Yoga provides immense benefits as it strengthens and stretches our bodies and minds. Yin however, better prepares the body and mind for stillness, such as in mediation.

How does Yin Yoga work?

Yin Yoga works by stimulating, stretching and strengthening deep connective tissue, the dense material that most closely surrounds the joints of the bones. By working in a unique, gentle and passive way, a special sense of ease and lightness is felt in the body and mind. Connective tissue, unlike regular muscle tissue, responds best to long held (2-5 mins) passive stretches (that is, with muscles relaxed).

Do you only teach Yin Yoga?

No. I tailor my classes to individual requests and needs. If an individual has a very sendentary lifestyle, they may require a very ‘yang’ practice. If they have a very active lifestyle generally, but a very sedentary day, likewise a more ‘yang’ practice is necessary.

I call my style of yoga ‘Yin Yoga’ not because it focuses on yin postures to the exclusion of yang, but as I feel this area of our lives is under-represented. I focus on encouraging cultivation of peace, calm and stillness in classes in order to raise awareness of the importance of these attributes.

Is Yin suitable for everyone?

Yes. As discussed above, some people may require more emphasis on different aspects, but a yin practice can be tailored to be suitable for anyone, of any age or ability, of any fitness level or flexibility. The beauty of a yin practice is that it is not about how you look in a posture, but how the posture feels for you as an individual.

Do you need to be flexible?

Contrary to popular opinion, yoga is not about flexibilty. Rather it is about how you can rid your body of distracting discomforts, in order to focus on the ulitmate goal of mastery of the mind and Union with the higher Self.

Is it safe to stretch joints?

Yes. Moderately stressing the joints in a gentle passive way does not injure joints. Just as lifting a weight does not injure muscle if done safely and correctly.

Many people are, rightly, scared of exercising the joints as they think of exercise only in terms of the over-represented rythmic ‘yang’ forms of exercise. If we exercised the joints like muscles, we would indeed damage them, which is why we contract our muscles in yang yoga, to protect our joints. In yin however, by relaxing the muscles we can target the connective tissues, and stretch them in a gentle, passive, safe manner. Both yin and yang exercise methods can be harmful if not exercised correctly and carefully.