Is Yin Yoga appropriate for someone with significant health challenges?
Is Yin Yoga the same as Restorative Yoga, or is Restorative Yoga the same as Yin Yoga? There are three correct answers to this question: yes! no! and maybe! This question has many relatives:
“I have osteoporosis; should I do Yin Yoga?”
“My doctor told me to come to your class because I have sciatica – is that ok?”
“I have a rod in my back;
“I have had a hip replacement;
“I have spondylolisthesis;
“I had a vasectomy; can I do Yin Yoga?”
What should we say to people asking these questions?
Just as it is inappropriate and unhealthy to push past our physical edges it is also unskillful and unhelpful to push past our emotional edges.
The first thing to recognize when strong emotions arise in our yoga practice is “I am not alone!” Many people experience discomforting emotions and even elating emotions while doing their practice. Just being aware that others have gone through the same experience, and survived very nicely, thank you very much, helps to take the edge off the anxiety of the moment.
The second thing to be aware of is taking advice over the internet on matters of personal health …
The forum is available for anyone to ask questions about Yin Yoga in particular or Yoga in general, but the forum is not just for those who “don’t know” – it is also available for everyone who already know, and have stories and information to share with others. Recently the forum has been changed to make it easier to find the most common topics. Check it out and feel free to add your voice.
Yin is In! And, it is growing in popularity. 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 Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings with Bernie Clark
A 50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training November 12th-18th, 2012; February 18th-24th, 2013; August 19th to 25th, 2013.
All of these 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, 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.
A 60 hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training & Retreat May 19th to 26th, 2013
This will be at the lovely Sea-to-Sky Retreat Center and it always ‘sells out’ early. Visit Upcoming Events for more information and comments from past attendees.
If you are having trouble finding a Yin Yoga teacher near your, or if you are traveling to somewhere new, try checking out the 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.
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:
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!)
Is Yin Yoga the same as Restorative Yoga? This often asked question is an understandable one because both practices embody stillness. But are the intentions the same, and is it safe to come to a Yin Yoga class when you have significant trauma, damage or illness?
How to Deal with Issues in our Tissues Yoga is an exploration of the whole body, not just the physical layers. What do we do when deep emotions surface during the practice? Do we just grit our teeth and ignore them, stop totally, or simply freak out?
Recent Forum Topics On the YinYoga.com website there is a forum where anyone can ask questions about Yin Yoga or other topics, and everyone is free to offer wise commentary. Click here to learn more.
Teacher Trainings & Retreats There are several Yin Yoga teacher training courses being held by Bernie Clark over the next 12 months. The last few have sold out early, but there is still some spaces available for the November training.
Plus registration is now open for the May, 2013 retreat near Whistler B.C. Click here to learn more about these.
Checking out Other Interesting Events There are many teachers leading workshops, Yin Yoga retreats and Teacher Trainings. Click here to learn more.