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I love yin and usually do it a couple times per week. I would love to commit to doing it more often, but I have trouble fitting it in with other types of yoga, strength training, cardio, etc.
Yesterday I had this thought--what if I committed to doing at least ONE yin pose daily? I am sure I could fit this in during the evenings, but would it be worthwhile? Would my body benefit from just a very short practice like this?
If you all do think that this would be beneficial, what would be some of the best yin poses to do in this situation? I am afraid that I would only choose my favorites.
Something is always better than nothing. I can't recommend you anything because as a beginner I am just getting started with it, but I am sure @Bernie can help you.
Thanks Emily! Yes, that is my usual philosophy. I am wondering if some of the benefits of yin's ability to stretch the connective tissues can be realized with just one pose a day. Hopefully Bernie/others will respond!
I remember Sarah Powers telling me once that if you only have 5 minutes available, do Butterfly pose! Yes, something is better than nothing, so it is all good. Don't try to do more postures in a shorter time, just do fewer postures in the time you have.
Cheers
Bernie
ps - don't take Sarah's words too literally! If you have been sitting at a desk all day, do Sphinx pose! Or work the hips...all good!
I absolutely incorporate Yin every day. I also do it at the end of my more active sequences and after other forms of exercise. After a long run, for example, I will do a 5 minute frog pose followed by a 3 minute forward bend.
Christine wrote:I absolutely incorporate Yin every day. I also do it at the end of my more active sequences and after other forms of exercise. After a long run, for example, I will do a 5 minute frog pose followed by a 3 minute forward bend.
Christine, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I like the idea of frog pose--this is one we did pretty often during my yoga teacher training (which wasn't yin, but one teacher was Baptiste-trained, and he likes this pose). Since then I haven't done it enough!
What is the idea behind Butterfly because nowadays, when we look at older people, a lot of them are « forward folded » ; one of their problem seems to be an unopen heart.
From a physical point of view, when there is no time for a full session, a moderate backbend like a mild supported fish pose for example (instead of an isolated forward bend) shouldn't be more beneficial ?
Hi Christophe...as I said above "If you have been sitting at a desk all day, do Sphinx pose! Or work the hips...all good!"
I agree that Butterfly may not be a good choice for everyone (nothing is!) But, even for people who have been rounding a lot, Butterfly may still be a good pose because, we contract around the range of motion we practice. If you are hunched forward all day over a computer, you actually reduce your flexion range of motion as well as your extension. Butterfly can take you deeper into flexion than you habitually go, thus regaining your normal, full range of movement.
You suggest Fish pose but this is not a great pose for many people either due to too much stress on the neck. I would suggest Sphinx or supported bridge. But, the answer, as always, is "it depends!"
Your answer helps me to understand how easy it is to think in a wrong way.
When I was suggesting a supported mild fish pose, it was with a block under the head in order to avoid stress on the neck...isn't it ok this way ? Maybe is it then more restorative yoga than yin.
A supported Fish pose may be okay: it depends on the intention and what the student is feeling. If this is intended to be moderate backbend, and the student is feeling some extension stress, then it works. But, if it is too supported, there may be no stress there. Again, Sphinx pose may be simpler and more effective, but as always, it depends!