Yin Yoga classes are becoming very popular with all age groups. Poses are held for several minutes at each person’s “edge”, the edge being that point at which it is uncomfortable yet doesn’t hurt — in a bad way. Tight or impinged fascia and connective tissue is released. Meridian lines are opened. The final result at the end of class is relaxation and calm. Look for a class that includes dimmed lights and meditative music. Yin yoga classes have personally helped me in so many ways and I can’t imagine a better thing to be doing with my time at this point in my life.
Yin yoga is explained in the following short video:
Next, is a good demonstration of basic pranayama (breath work) yoga. All yoga postures are centered around deep breathing, but pranayama can be a separate practice to enhance personal meditation time.
15 Minutes Pranayama by SRMD Yoga:
For a yogic challenge, the next video demonstrates the correct way to do the pose that is a challenge for every yoga practitioner, Chaturanga Dandasana:
Yoga nidra classes sometimes follow Yin yoga classes. This relaxing sequence of guided focus upon successive awareness of every body location often results in very restful sleep. The following video is a Yoga Nidra Meditation for Sleep by Unlock Your Life. The class I take does one half hour of Vinyasina poses followed by one half hour of yoga nidra. Don’t be surprised if the person next to you starts snoring during the class.
Since so many people store tension in their upper back, neck, and shoulders, as a bonus, I’m adding this final yoga video: “Yoga For Neck, Shoulders, Upper Back” by Yoga With Adriene.
The final class type that I recommend is called “Restorative Yoga”. While doing the class you might feel that it is so gentle nothing is happening, you might think otherwise the following day when you have a deeper sense of calm and relaxation. Restorative yoga reaches your mental level and teaches you to let the tension go.
Yoga in America continues to evolve as the West fuses what the customer wants with what tradition offers. Yin yoga, especially, is having a moment. It’s what the customer wants.
One Seeker's Story 