An emphatic: Yes!
Yin Yoga, and yoga in general can help with fibromyalgia. But lets start with some basics for those who don't really know what fibromyalgia is. Here is a definition from the Mayo Clinic. "Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points & places on your body where slight pressure causes pain."
We don't know the cause of fibromyalgia, but we do know what can make the symptoms worse; stress and physical or emotional trauma. The pain may be made worse due to sensitization in the brain to nerve signals: the more the brain experiences pain, the more sensitive it is to pain. This can lead to an over-reaction to even slight pain signals coming from the body, thus amplifying the signal.
Treatments may include drugs and anti-depressants but can also include physiotherapies, including massage and yoga. Again, according to the Mayo Clinic, "Specific exercises can help restore muscle balance and may reduce pain. Stretching techniques and the application of hot or cold also may help....At first, exercise may increase your pain. But doing it regularly often decreases symptoms. Appropriate exercises may include walking, swimming, biking and water aerobics. A physical therapist can help you develop a home exercise program. Stretching, good posture and relaxation exercises also are helpful."
So, the key is to reduce stress (ie Yoga), move and stretch the body (ie Yoga) and go gently and slowly (ie Yin Yoga). You may want to start with a nice, slow and gentle Yin Yoga practice such as the following (check YinSights for a description of each asana at
http://www.yinyoga.com/ys2_2.1_asanas.php). Hold each pose for ~ 3 minutes, if that feels right:
Opening Meditation - check in with how you are feeling, soften the breath
Butterfly
Staddle Fold
Sphinx
Reclining Twist
Shavasana
Of course, do check with your health care provider if you do have fibromyalgia and let them know what you are thinking. If they agree it is worth trying Yin Yoga, go slow and let us know how it goes for you.
Cheers
Bernie