Dear Humans,
As you can likely tell from the flows I share, I tend to be drawn to a dynamic movement practice. Lots of flow and fire.
But this Sunday I taught a Yin class, the first I had taught in a long time, and I think I fell back in love with the practice.
To give you just a touch of backstory, my YTT incorporated a section on teaching Yin yoga, so I’m familiar with the principles of teaching it. However, over time I started to create some internal story in my mind about not being the “right” teacher for Yin. My thing was strength and movement–the yang, not the yin. So I taught it less and less.
But on Sunday, while holding space for the students and they sat with their postures and breathed deeply, I shook myself away from that narrative. I re-accessed that slower, softer side of my being.
You don’t need to have a specific certification in Yin to teach it, however, like almost anything, it’s important to educate yourself on the practice and to have experienced it yourself before teaching it to others. This book, The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark, is considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive texts on the subject. A great place to start if you’re interested.
When teaching Yin, I make sure to always voice these three principles of the practice:
#1. Move into your edge and stay there. Though Yin is a practice with little movement, that doesn’t mean it isn’t intense. In our Yin practice we aim to find the “edge” of intensity in the posture, and then stay there. Of course, we don’t want to push into pain, if anything feels sharp or painful, then it’s time to ease out. But we do want to find a depth of intensity and sensation in our postures.
#2. Seek to find stillness. Though some amount of movement will always happening in the body (the breath will move the chest, for example) in Yin we are aiming to stay as still as possible in our postures. While holding postures, the mind wants to move the body, to distract itself from sensation, or run away. I ask my students to reflect on whether or not the movement is necessary or just the mind seeking an escape.
#3. Hold the postures for long periods. In Yin, we hold postures for anywhere from 3-5 minutes, with at least 10 minutes for savasana. This means that in a Yin practice, you will really only move into a handful of poses total. By staying for a long period of time in the postures, we practice our ability to stay and breathe through intensity, and we also get deeper into the connective tissue.
Below, I’ve shared the 60 minute Yin sequence that I taught in class. I held most postures for 3-5 minutes, with 10 minutes for the first and last posture. However, I didn’t actually even get to this whole sequence when doing it in real time. I took out the “dragon lunges.” Time flies in Yin! (Well, at least for the teacher.)
For my paid subscribers, I’ve also shared the All Levels Vinyasa Sequence that I taught in another class over the weekend. You know, in case you’re looking for some Yang this week.
Holding space for a Yin class is different than for a flow class. It takes a different kind of energetic attention. Knowing where to speak and where to hold the silence. There’s more to say here, but alas, I’ve already run long. Next time.
For now, I encourage you, if you haven’t already, to dip your toes into the lovely, calm pool that is Yin.
Wishing you a peaceful, joyful week, dear humans.
Sending love,
Izzy
Izzy Martens
author, yoga teacher, sequence enthusiast
www.yogahumans.com
What I Taught in Yoga This Week | September 4, 2024
the sequence - blocks and bolster needed:
Supported legs up the wall | 5-10 minutes
Half-Butterfly (left leg) | 3 minutes
Straddle Center Fold | 3 minutes
Half-Butterfly (right leg) | 3 minutes
Dragon Lunge (left leg) | 3 minutes
Dragon Lunge (right leg) | 3 minutes
Deer Pose (twist left) | 3 minutes
Deer Pose (twist right) | 3 minutes
Supported Reclined Butterfly | 5 minutes
Supine Twist (left) | 3 minutes
Supine Twist (right) | 3 minutes
Savasana | 10+ minutes
If you’re new here – hello!
Let me introduce myself! My name is Izzy Martens and I’m just a human who teaches yoga, writes, hangs out with her two cats, hikes around Colorado, and enjoys creating yoga sequences.
Read more about the history of this newsletter, Yoga Humans, and my ethos below.
For those of you who need some vinyasa inspiration this week, I’m sharing with you the backbend-focused sequence that I taught to my all levels class this week!
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