Quick Tips for Teaching Yin Yoga
When you mention Yin Yoga, people often react in one of two ways: either they have never heard of it or assume that it is some easier, more laid back style of practice. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. While Yin does involve a slower pace and more “basic” postures, holding these poses for three to five minutes can be incredibly challenging, particularly for beginners. However, Yin can be very helpful in cultivating greater mindfulness, in addition to increasing joint circulation and improving flexibility. If you are considering becoming a Yin yoga teacher, here are a few tips:
- Understand how Yin is different – Yin yoga involves staying in a pose for a considerable amount of time (usually between three and five minutes). The purpose is to surrender to the pose, and find tension release rather than stimulate the muscles or achieve any type of aerobic exercise (like in power yoga, for example).
- Know the poses – Typically a sequence for Yin yoga would involve passive backbends and seated forward bends as counterposes. Postures regularly utilized in Yin include: Butterfly, Saddle, Sphinx, Seal, Child’s, Dragonfly, Forward bend, and Savasana.
- Have support options – Yin yoga is all about finding your “edge” and staying in that space, which is unique to each practitioner. For that reason, having sufficient blocks, bolsters and blankets around is important as many of these poses may need to be modified in order for the student to remain for the entire duration.
Yin yoga can be a great style to teach, and it can be useful as a standalone practice or at the beginning or end of a “Yang” style session. The benefits to both the physical body and the mind are tremendous and serve to promote greater balance, both within Yoga and in life. Namaste.