Yin Yoga Insights October, 2012

Yin Yoga or Restorative Yoga?

Is Yin Yoga appropriate for someone with significant health challenges?


Is Yin Yoga the same as Restorative Yoga, or is Restorative Yoga the same as Yin Yoga? There are three correct answers to this question: yes! no! and maybe! This question has many relatives:

• "I have osteoporosis; should I do Yin Yoga?"
• "My doctor told me to come to your class because I have sciatica - is that ok?"
• "I have a rod in my back;
• "I have had a hip replacement;
• "I have spondylolisthesis;
• "I had a vasectomy; can I do Yin Yoga?"

What should we say to people asking these questions?

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Issues in Our Tissues
The Emotional Side of Yoga

Just as it is inappropriate and unhealthy to push past our physical edges it is also unskillful and unhelpful to push past our emotional edges.


The first thing to recognize when strong emotions arise in our yoga practice is "I am not alone!" Many people experience discomforting emotions and even elating emotions while doing their practice. Just being aware that others have gone through the same experience, and survived very nicely, thank you very much, helps to take the edge off the anxiety of the moment.

The second thing to be aware of is taking advice over the internet on matters of personal health ...

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The Yin Yoga Forum

The forum is available for anyone to ask questions about Yin Yoga in particular or Yoga in general, but the forum is not just for those who "don't know" - it is also available for everyone who already know, and have stories and information to share with others. Recently the forum has been changed to make it easier to find the most common topics. Check it out and feel free to add your voice.

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Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings

Yin is In! And, it is growing in popularity. Yin Yoga has been with us since the beginning of Hatha Yoga centuries ago. But since the early 19th century, yoga has become more and more yang-like in nature. Everything requires balance: yin completes yang. Yin Yoga is the balancing practice for the more active, muscular yang yogas. There are more and more teachers offering Yin Yoga today, and more workshops and opportunities to learn how to become a Yin Yoga teacher. If diving deeper into the yin-side of life is on your bucket list, there are lots of opportunities for you.

Upcoming Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings with Bernie Clark

A 50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training
November 12th-18th, 2012;
February 18th-24th, 2013;
August 19th to 25th, 2013.

All of these will be at the Semperviva Yoga Studios, in Vancouver, Canada. The Yin Yoga Teacher Training Program offered at the Semperviva Yoga College is a unique way to deepen your yoga practice and touch tissues rarely worked in a more active yang style of yoga. For 200 hour certified teachers the credits of the course can be applied towards the 500 hour certification, and are eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance. (CEUs = Continuing Education Units and are required to maintain your status as a Registered Yoga Teacher).

For more details or to register, check the Semperviva web page or call them at 604-739-2009.

A 60 hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training & Retreat
May 19th to 26th, 2013

This will be at the lovely Sea-to-Sky Retreat Center and it always 'sells out' early. Visit Upcoming Events for more information and comments from past attendees.

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Yin Yoga Teacher Directory

If you are having trouble finding a Yin Yoga teacher near your, or if you are traveling to somewhere new, try checking out the Directory of Yin Yoga teachers. We have hundreds of teachers registered from all over the world. If you are a teacher and are not in the directory, just send us your information and we'll be happy to add you.

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Other Interesting Events

Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, Paulie Zink and Biff Mithoefer are each planning a full load of workshops all over the world. You can check out their schedules at their home web pages:

Paul Grilley's Schedule of Workshops

Sarah Power's Schedule of Workshops

Paulie Zink's Schedule of Workshops

Biff Mithoefer's Schedule of Workshops

Many teachers around the world are creating Yin Yoga based workshops and retreats. Some of them are posting these activities on our Forum page. Check it out. There may be one happening near you. (If you are a teacher, feel free to add yours to the page!)