Yin versus Restorative Yoga

We tend to lead very busy and demanding lives, always rushing. Under pressure with demands. All this DOING Yang energy is depleting.

So we are inviting in the restoring and nurturing, moving back to balance through the Yin energy of just BEING. Soothing our exhausted nervous system and allowing for healing and recovery.

My understanding of the key differences between the two practices:

Yin Practices - active relaxation, you use gravity to help increase range and flexibility. These practices can take you to your edge, but never at the expense of integrity. We are being mindful and respectful through the process.

Restorative Practices - not finding your edge, we are not actively trying to increase the range of movement or increase flexibility. That is not the intention, it is to calm and nurture.

Props are used to support so the body can let go, deeply, not having to use muscles to support but be held. Props commonly used are straps, bolsters or cushions, chairs, blankets and Yoga bricks, Sandbags may be used to help deepen stretches or help relax the body and mind to feel weighted and grounded.

My view of the similarities are:

Poses are similar.

Restorative - uses more props as not going to edge of the sensations.

Yin, playing with gravity and your resilience.

Both surrendering to be present in the moment and let sensations pass. The very nature of energy moving through you so sensations, emotions and thoughts can be resolved, not suppressed, or bound.

Sessions are slow and stay in poses for a few minutes. Encouraging breath to find a coherency. Using stillness, consciousness and breath to help release emotions, discomforts, and physical tensions to unwind an unravel.

Postures maybe held from 2-5 minutes in a general group session. So we tend to use relatively few postures in one class and follow those with a long, deep savasana.

In my sessions, I invite you to choose whether you use the Yin or Restorative approach. There is no definite, no judgement, no demands, Just the intention to be and surrender.

Let the bodies- physical, emotional, and mental bodies, unwind, unravel, surrender, and move toward peace.

Sessions I offer

Crystal Bowl Yin- ( click to read this blog)

using sound psychology and vibration to deepen the practice- (events at various locations)

Evening Yin, weekly on zoom, in the comfort of your own home, where you are left in savasana to stay or fall asleep for the evening. Wednesday 8:30pm £10 book a class

Yin Yoga or Crystal Yin monthly Monday 7:00pm Mortehoe

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