Yin Yoga

When You Need Deep, Slow Release

Yin Yoga is for people who need to slow down - properly slow down. If you're always rushing, always doing, always pushing through, this practice teaches you something radical: the power of staying still and letting your body soften.

This isn't about achievement or getting into impressive poses. It's about finding a middle way where you can feel stretching happening without going to your absolute limit, then staying there long enough for real change to occur.

A woman practicing yoga in a peaceful room with yoga mats, framed art, and spiritual decorations.

Ready to Slow Down?

Book through our online system. This practice attracts people who are ready to try a different approach to both yoga and life.

Come prepared to challenge your need to constantly achieve or fix things. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is absolutely nothing.

"In the stillness between effort and surrender, real change happens."

  • Long, supported holds: Postures are held for anywhere from one to five minutes, depending on the pose and what your body needs today. You'll use props (bolsters, blocks, blankets) to support yourself so you can relax into the stretch rather than fighting it.

    Stillness, not movement: Unlike Hatha Yoga where we flow between poses, Yin is about finding your position and staying there. The magic happens in the stillness.

    Gentle encouragement: I'll guide you to soften, relax, and let go while being aware of the intensity and sensations in your body. You're in charge of how deep you go.

    Meditative approach: This is moving meditation. Your mind gets practice staying present with whatever arises - physical sensations, emotions, thoughts - without immediately trying to change or escape it.

    Deep relaxation: We finish with Yoga Nidra for profound rest that sets you up for a good night's sleep.

  • In Hatha Yoga, we stretch as far as we can and hold poses for 20-30 seconds, often moving between different postures. In Yin, we find about 70% of our capacity and stay there for minutes at a time.

    Hatha works more with muscles and strength. Yin works with your deeper tissues - tendons, fascia, and ligaments. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.

  • Works on connective tissues: The longer holds apply gentle stress to tendons, fascia, and ligaments, increasing circulation in joints and improving flexibility in ways that quick stretches can't achieve.

    Releases deep tension: Tension held in deeper tissues - the kind that doesn't respond to massage or quick stretches - can finally start to let go.

    Calms your nervous system: The slow pace and supported poses signal to your body that it's safe to rest and repair.

    Improves sleep: Many students find they sleep better after Yin classes, partly due to the nervous system reset and the Yoga Nidra practice.

    • People who live fast-paced, stressful lives and need to practice slowing down

    • Those with tight connective tissues that don't respond to regular stretching

    • Anyone who struggles to be still or quiet their mind

    • People looking for a meditative approach to yoga

    • Those who want to complement more active practices with something restorative

    • Anyone dealing with chronic tension or stress

  • Not suitable for pregnancy - pregnant women should attend our specialized pregnancy yoga classes.

    Not ideal for people with hypermobility - if you're very flexible already, you'd benefit more from Hatha Yoga which works with muscles and strength to provide stability.

  • Physically: You might feel sensations you're not used to as we work with deeper tissues. This isn't painful, but it can be intense. You'll learn the difference between "good" sensation and anything to back away from.

    Mentally: Staying still can be challenging for busy minds. You might notice emotions, memories, or thoughts arising. This is normal and part of the practice.

    After class: Many people feel deeply relaxed, sometimes slightly spacey. The effects often continue for hours, with better sleep and a sense of having "reset" your system.

  • What to wear: Comfortable clothes that allow for gentle movement

    What to bring: Nothing - all props provided

    Physical requirements: Ability to get up and down from the floor (can be modified)

    Experience required: None, though some familiarity with yoga poses can be helpful

    Class atmosphere: Quiet, introspective, supportive

  • In a world that rewards constant doing, Yin Yoga teaches the radical act of being. It's not lazy or passive - it takes real courage to stay with difficult sensations or emotions instead of immediately moving to fix or escape them.

    This practice teaches you that you can be with discomfort without being overwhelmed by it. That's a life skill that extends far beyond the yoga mat.