Maybe it is just me, but yoga seems to be everywhere right now. Am I right? Yoga has been growing in the US for a long time, but the recent boom echoes many wellness expert's theory that we are becoming more and more interested in energy, meditation, and awareness. As the world tries to play catch up to the side effects of technology, sedentary lifestyles, and poor diets, we are finally starting to wake up and make better health decisions. We are learning that we need to connect more with ourselves, with others, and with our physical world. Yoga helps us do just that. The great thing about yoga is that there is something for everyone and you can start with what is comfortable for you.
I've been practicing yoga for over a decade, but the type of yoga and the frequency of my practice used to change every few months. There have been long stretches of time in the past 10 years where I didn't practice at all. Now that I'm a yoga instructor I feel much more secure in my yoga practice and one thing is for sure; my life is always much better when I'm doing yoga regularly. These days, many people decide to try yoga for the flexibility and fitness aspect, but that is only a bonus.
The truth is, yoga is designed to prepare for meditation and it is a therapeutic activity that can be accessed by all. This can be true of any type of yoga, but Yin Yoga has become one of my favorite areas to practice and teach. Yin Yoga was first introduced to me when I needed it most. I happened upon it while traveling for work as a physical therapist and it changed my life.
Yin Yoga is different from the typical yoga class you'll find at a fitness studio because it's all about slowing down. In Yin we hold poses for longer periods of time, we focus on stillness, and we target the connective tissue. The nature of this calming practice can help you gain greater self awareness and let go of stress. A regular practice of Yin Yoga will help you manage anxiety and learn how to notice signs of overwhelm before it creates those pesky anxious symptoms.
Ready to give it a try? I've created a short Yin Yoga practice that you can do in the comfort of your home. In place of a bolster or blocks use pillows!
1. Child's Pose - 5 Minutes
2. Half Frog/Tipsy Frog Pose - 2 Minutes (each side)
3. Happy Baby - 1-2 Minutes
4. Reclined Twist - 2 Minutes Each Side
5. Reclined Bound Angle - 5 Minutes
I hope you enjoy this practice! Feel free to comment and let me know how it worked for you!