Please use as many props as needed to get yourself into a place of comfort, trust and stillness, so your nervous system can relax and benefit greatly. Please note that these are suggestions, we all have different bodies, so if at any time you feel a numbness, tingling or sharp pain, please come slowly out of the pose, back off or move on to the next. Each pose is explained in more detail below its picture. The meridians that we mainly work with are for the heart, lung and small intestines. I created the following yin yoga sequence to open your heart and shoulders. In the quiet of the yin yoga postures we can create a space for the body to feel safe. By taking the time to sit down quietly and listen to our body, we can connect. Allowing ourselves to be in the posture just as we are is a way of acknowledging our body and its wisdom. Accepting ourselves as we are is the first step. We disconnect from society, from our family, from our body, and from our own heart. When events occur in our lives that are beyond normal human experience, we often see no choice but to disconnect. Yin yoga is a meditative practice of reconnection and surrender. As we grow older it shrinks, dries up and becomes tight, so we have to find ways to keep it juicy. Some people say that our nadis/meridians, the channels in which our energy flows through the body, are located inside this tissue. It is listening and remembering our every thought and experience. The connective tissue has its own intelligence and memory. It is the web that forms and connects all aspects of the human body. It is the tissue that holds the bones together, the muscles to the bones, and the internal organs in place. From a physical point of view there are aspects of the body that are more yin – the connective tissue, and aspects that are more yang, –the muscles.Ĭonnective tissue takes on many different forms within the body. Ideally we have both energies in our life: yin is the more feminine, receptive, lunar quality and yang refers to the more active, striving, masculine energy.

They’ll help provide the traction of a yoga mat without taking up space in your suitcase.I love yin yoga for the complimentary effects to the more yang lifestyle and yoga practices we do. If you’re traveling without your mat, a pair of yoga socks and yoga gloves are essential for practicing on the bare floor. Yoga socks and gloves: While most yogis practice barefoot, you may feel more comfortable in a pair of socks designed to provide traction.Headband: Yoga practitioners with long hair will need a hair tie or headband to keep your hair out of your face as you move.Tops: Opt for tops that are form-fitting to avoid losing your shirt during an inversion.Sports bra: Yoga is a low-impact activity vs many other sports, but most women still prefer a light-support or medium-support sports bra.When selecting shorts for your yoga practice, make sure they are tight-fitting or come with compression liners to avoid exposing yourself during class. If you tend to sweat during yoga, opt for a pair with moisture-wicking capabilities, like those made with Nike Dri-FIT fabric. A pair of leggings with four-way stretch will do the job, as will a pair of joggers if you prefer looser-fitting bottoms. Pants or shorts: Choose a pair of pants or shorts that stretch with you and stay put throughout your practice.When shopping for yoga clothing, it’s most important to choose clothes that are comfortable and move with you. You may want to look for mats made with recycled materials. As an added bonus, rubber and thermoplastic elastomers are more environmentally friendly than PVC. A natural rubber mat will provide grip, prevent odors and feel cool to the touch. Material: The materials used to construct your yoga mat will determine how much traction it provides, how it feels, how long it will last and whether it will retain odors.Keep in mind that the thickness will also affect how heavy and bulky the mat is to carry with you. Standard yoga mats are about 3.3mm thick and provide a happy medium, but if your practice is more therapeutic, you may opt for a mat that is a quarter of an inch thick. Thickness: A thin yoga mat provides more stability for balance postures, while a thick yoga mat provides cushioning for poses that put your bones in contact with the ground.Whether you're a beginner or an expert practitioner, you should pay attention to the following when choosing a yoga mat that meets your needs: A yoga mat will also provide a layer of cushioning between your body and the floor. A good yoga mat provides better traction in your downward-facing dog, so you don’t find yourself slipping out of the pose. Many yoga instructors require you to bring your own yoga mat to class, and you’ll want one for practicing at home.

Heart opening flow yoga