Yin and Restorative yoga look so much alike. In spite of everything, college students lay on the ground, maintain poses a very long time, use props, and sometimes appear to be they’re dropping consciousness (in a great way). So what’s the distinction between yin and restorative yoga?
Although the postures might look related, it could shock you to know that these types are very completely different! Let’s begin with the aim of those two types of follow:
- The aim of a restorative yoga class is to calm the nervous system and supply deep relaxation and leisure.
- The aim of yin class is to place wholesome pressure throughout the yin (connective) tissues of the physique.
Let’s have a look at every type individually.
Restorative
Rules of Restorative Yoga:
- Facilitate the pacification of the nervous system
- Launch postural muscle tissues
- Use props to help the physique in a helpful relationship to gravity
To be able to calm the nervous system and supply deep relaxation and leisure for the physique, a restorative class helps the physique in gravity in a state of repose. Certain, some restorative poses might have just a little stretch to them (like a supported ahead fold or supported twist), however the intention of the pose is to engender leisure – to not stretch or add pressure to the tissues. We’d say that in restorative, the physique is held in a state the place the tissues could also be stretched 0-50%. The stretch ought to “fade” into the background of the pose for the practitioner, slightly than be a main space of focus. Restorative poses are held for a very long time (5-10 minutes) so as to permit the nervous system to loosen up slightly than to “deepen” a stretch.
To facilitate deep leisure, the goal of props is due to this fact to supply ease for the physique. In restorative, no components of the physique ought to “hang around” in gravity unsupported; all components of the physique ought to really feel grounded. For instance, let’s say you place somebody’s knees on a bolster (yay), however their heels are dangling off the ground. In a restorative follow, we’d add blocks or blankets underneath the ft so the heels aren’t hanging out in house.
A lot of the joints of the physique ought to be in a tender state of flexion (for instance: fingers curling in, elbows and knees barely bent, chin barely tucked) to facilitate a way of repose. Even a restorative backbend ought to facilitate quiet and calm slightly than activation. Even the ever-vigilant postural muscle tissues get to take a break. As a result of we wish the physique to be peaceable, the physique in restorative yoga ought to be stored heat. “Secure, darkish, and heat,” as restorative chief Judith Hanson Lasaster has mentioned. Blankets, socks, even wooly hats are welcome (or have the room barely heated). We’re not going for lots of warmth right here, however we wish the sensation of a restorative class to be cozy. Our intention? Offering absolute consolation.
Yin
Rules of Yin:
- Add a healthful pressure to the “yin” tissues of the physique (tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, joint capsules)
- Chill out all muscular effort
- Domesticate mindfulness within the midst of the “edge” of sensation
In contrast to restorative, yin yoga does stress the tissues of the physique, particularly, the connective tissue. Moderately than stretch muscle tissues (yang tissue), yin yoga is designed to position a gradual, affordable pressure to connective tissue so as to facilitate well being and hydration. Whereas each yin and restorative eshew muscular effort, yin invitations sensation (even wholesome discomfort) so as to deal with connective tissue. We’d say {that a} yin poses invitations a “stretch” of 50-80%.
Within the yin follow, we use props, actually. Nonetheless, props are supposed to help us in a secure relationship to gravity slightly than mitigate gravity altogether. In yin, we’re looking for a focused sensation (yin sensations embrace pressure, achiness, stretching…by no means any sharp, tingling, or acute sensation). As a result of all our bodies are completely different, props could also be used to facilitate every particular person discovering their private, tolerable, and helpful edge. In yin, the physique does “hang around” in house a bit slightly than being fully supported by props.
As a result of the yin follow invitations an inexpensive fringe of discomfort, meditation and leisure in yin happens by way of the potential depth of sensation slightly than in its absence. Offering pressure to connective tissue can really be very enjoyable for the physique and nervous system (there could also be drool and snores), however we’re attending to that place through a unique route than we’re in restorative.
Ultimate Ideas
Restorative and yin are each lovely practices. Nonetheless, their presents can get muddied once we merge the types and educate restorative with stretching or yin with an excessive amount of help. By clarifying and holding true to the intention of every type, we will extra absolutely share their distinctive presents.
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