Yin and Restorative Yoga

Everyone can practice yoga!  But not everyone can practice every kind of yoga.  There are so many different types of yoga: hatha, hot, vinyasa, bikram, gentle, yin, restorative, etc.  The key is to finding what is right for you.  This article is going to take a look at Yin and Restorative yoga.

Usually, either you love Yin and Restorative Yoga or you hate it.  Unfortunately, there really isn't a middle ground.  That's alright, if you love it, you'll seek it out.  If you don't, there are plenty of other types of yoga.  Yin and Restorative are less strenuous types of yoga.  Yin increases flexibility and strengthens connective tissue (ligaments and tendons).  Restorative yoga increases lymphatic flow and activates the body's relaxation response.

In Yin yoga, we usually hold the poses anywhere from 5-10 minutes.  We use props to help us to be able to hold the poses for this time period, but you will feel your muscles stretching.  You should feel the stretch in the belly or the center of the muscle not at the end at the joints.

In Restorative yoga, we usually also hold the poses anywhere from 5-10 minutes.  We use even more props to support our bodies while they relax.  It's a good idea to set a positive affirmation or use a mantra to focus on as we hold the poses.  Although Restorative yoga is not strenuous for the body, there are many physiological benefits: lower blood pressure, lower respiration rate, lower heart rate, reduced cortisol (which means reduced body fat).  All this just from rolling around on the floor a little!  Everyone can practice Restorative yoga.  It is used with cancer patients and bed ridden patients.  However, not everyone likes it.  So, if you haven't tried Restorative yoga why not try my next class.

I hope you found this article helpful.  Hope to see you soon!

Namaste!