An Intro to Yin Yoga

Photo crds: Jben Beach Art

Yin Yoga originated in the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Its development is primarily attributed to Paulie Zink, a martial arts champion and Taoist yoga teacher. Zink integrated elements of Hatha Yoga, Taoist yoga, and martial arts to create a practice that emphasizes holding poses for extended periods to target deep connective tissues and promote flexibility and meditative awareness.

In the late 1980s, Paul Grilley, a yoga teacher and student of Zink, further popularized Yin Yoga. Grilley studied anatomy and brought a scientific understanding of the benefits of long-held, passive stretches to the practice. His teachings were significantly influenced by Dr. Hiroshi Motoyama, a Japanese scholar, and expert in the field of meridian theory and acupuncture.

Sarah Powers, a student of Grilley, also played a crucial role in the development and dissemination of Yin Yoga. She incorporated elements of mindfulness and Buddhist teachings, emphasizing the meditative and introspective aspects of the practice.

My teacher, Bernie Clark, from Vancouver, Canada , is a prominent figure in the world of Yin Yoga. He is a yoga teacher, author, and educator who has significantly contributed to the understanding and practice of Yin Yoga. Grilley's teachings, particularly his emphasis on anatomy and the understanding of skeletal variation, had a significant impact on Bernie Clark's approach to Yin Yoga.

What has made the most impact in my understanding of Yin Yoga is Bernie Clark’s integration of Taoist principles and mindfulness practices into his teaching, highlighting the meditative and introspective nature of Yin Yoga. He encourages students to explore their own bodies and minds through the practice, fostering a deeper connection with themselves.

Yin and Yang on the mat and beyond

Everything around us and within us exists in a state of polarity, often symbolized as Yin and Yang, or by other names. This duality is observable in phenomena such as day and night, the sun and moon, cold and heat, and the interplay of feminine and masculine energies within all individuals, regardless of gender.

Traditional yoga classes often emphasize the YANG aspect, focusing on active practices where participants strive for specific poses or alignments. In contrast, Yin Yoga encourages practitioners to embrace each posture exactly as they are, fostering a deeper level of self-expression and inner awareness.

Enjoy the class below, in which we explore these concepts as we deepen our Yin Yoga practice. Thank you for being here!

From my heart,

Monica