Yin Yoga Yinsights
November 1, 2017

I can’t meditate!
Mindfulness is not for everybody

In yoga teacher training programs care is taken to make sure contraindications are known for postures that could be detrimental for some students. Teachers are taught to beware of inversions like headstand (Sirsasana) or shoulderstand (Salambasarvangasana) if the student has high blood pressure, an eye or ear infection, glaucoma, diabetes, etc. In these cases alternative postures may be offered that are not risky, such as simply having the legs up the wall (Viparitakarani). This is wise! It is good to know which postures may have a negative or unhealthy effect on certain students, and what to offer these students as an alternative. But, in my decades of taking a wide variety of yoga and meditation trainings, I do not recall hearing the teachers ever offering warning or advice about the negative impact of mindfulness or meditation training, let alone what a student should do if she did have a negative reaction to the practice.

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Yin Yoga communities on Facebook

“Yin is in” and continues to grow in popularity. When I originally started YinYoga.com, I created a Forum where people could ask questions and share yinsights with others. There has been thousands of posts since 2007 when it started, but today, these kinds of fora seem dated. While there is a large archive of information in the Forum, many people are turning to Facebook to share their thoughts, lessons and questions. Given this trend, here are some of the places I like to visit to hear about people’s walk on the yin-side:

• Yin Yoga Network I believe this was the first!
• Yin community with over 7,000 members
• Yin Yoga mexico with over 1,000 members
• Yin Yoga UK & Ireland
• Yin Yoga International Practitioner Community

Some of these are closed groups, so you will have to ask to join. Check them out and share your own yinsights.

A Plethora of Yin Yoga Videos

Gaia Yoga (formerly MyYogaOnline) has over 40 different Yin Yoga videos ranging in time from short 20 minute classes to over an hour. They have almost 20 Yin Yoga classes by Bernie Clark, but also videos from many other teachers such as Doug Swenson, Cameron Gilley, and Dina Amsterdam. If you have never watched a Gaia Yoga video, the first month is really reasonable ($.99) so check them out!

Here is a listing of all the videos

Teacher Trainings

Yin is In! Yin Yoga has been with us since the beginning of Hatha Yoga centuries ago. But since the early 19th century, yoga has become more and more yang-like in nature. Everything requires balance: yin completes yang. Yin Yoga is the balancing practice for the more active, muscular yang yogas. There are more and more teachers offering Yin Yoga today, and more workshops and opportunities to learn how to become a Yin Yoga teacher. If diving deeper into the yin-side of life is on your bucket list, there are lots of opportunities for you.

Upcoming Trainings and Retreats with Bernie Clark

7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training
November 6th-12th, 2017;
February 12th-18th, 2018;
April 9th-15th, 2018;
May 7th-13th, 2018;
June 18th-24th, 2018;
July 23rd-29th, 2018;
August 20th-26th, 2018;
September 24th to 30th, 2018;
November 5th-11th, 2018.

All of these 50-hour courses will be at the Semperviva Yoga Studios, in Vancouver, Canada. The Yin Yoga Teacher Training Program offered at the Semperviva Yoga College is a unique way to deepen your yoga practice and touch tissues rarely worked in a more active yang style of yoga. For 200 hour certified teachers the credits of the course can be applied towards the 500 hour certification offered by Semperviva, and are eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance. (CEUs = Continuing Education Units and are required to maintain your status as a Registered Yoga Teacher).

For more details or to register, check the Semperviva web page or call them at 604-739-2009.

Meditation Revealed
With Bernie Clark & Nathalie Keiller
February 18th-25th 2018
June 24th-July 1st 2018

This course will examine what meditation is, why we do it (its many benefits, spiritually, psychologically and physically), and how to do it, from a variety of viewpoints: From Eastern Yogic and Buddhist views to Western Psychotherapeutic understanding. The course will include personal, one-on-one training in Deep Meditation, as well as group instruction, to give the student an experiential basis for the practice of meditation. Held at the Semperviva Yoga Studios – Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Learn More

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Yin Yoga Teacher Directory

If you are having trouble finding a Yin Yoga teacher near you, or if you are traveling to somewhere new, try checking out the updated Directory of Yin Yoga teachers. We have hundreds of teachers registered from all over the world. If you are a teacher and are not in the directory, just send us your information and we’ll be happy to add you.

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Other Interesting Events

Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers and Biff Mithoefer are each planning a full load of workshops all over the world. You can check out their schedules at their home web pages:

Paul Grilley’s Schedule of Workshops

Sarah Power’s Schedule of Workshops

Biff Mithoefer’s Schedule of Workshops

Many teachers around the world are creating Yin Yoga based workshops and retreats. Some of them are posting these activities on our Forum page. Check it out. There may be one happening near you. (If you are a teacher, feel free to add yours to the page!)