Yin vs. Restorative yoga
We often get asked what the difference is between yin yoga and restorative yoga. While they are both more meditative approach to yoga, as opposed to the fast-paced, dynamic “yang” yoga styles like Vinyasa, Ashtanga or power, they are actually completely separate practices. Each has its own rhythms, focus and benefits.
In this article we will explain what each type is and what you can expect from a class. We’ll also go through the benefits you’ll get so that you can choose which one is best suited to your needs.
Yin yoga
While yang yoga focusses on muscles, yin yoga targets deep connective tissues such as the tendons, fasciae, and ligaments. The practice is quieter and more contemplative. You hold poses for a long period of time – 3 to 5 minutes (or even longer!), which helps to stretch and lengthen tissues you rarely get to focus on. While holding the poses, you learn to breathe through the discomfort and to sit with your thoughts.
The practice, born in the 1970s, is based on ancient Chinese and Taoist principles.
There are plenty of health benefits to practicing yin yoga, both physical and mental.
It lengthens your connective tissue
It improves flexibility
It boosts your circulation
It releases fascia
It increases joint mobility
It reduces stress levels
It calms and balances your mind and body
While in a pose, try to find stillness and release fully into it. You want to reach a level of “comfortable discomfort” that helps you stretch your fasciae and ligaments. Make sure to come out of the pose slowly and gently.
Breath is obviously a crucial part of yin yoga as it helps you to manage the more difficult uncomfortable poses.
In a class, you can expect to perform a series of long-held, passive floor poses, essentially focusing on the lower parts of your body, areas rich in connective tissues.
Less known that other yoga styles, it would be a shame to give it a miss given the many benefits the practice brings.
Join one of our daily yin yoga classes.
What is restorative yoga?
Ok, we know where there might be a resemblance, you also hold poses for a long time in restorative yoga.
But actually, in restorative yoga, you use props to remove any strain or discomfort and encourage a passive release of mind and body tension. That way, you relax into the pose and achieve physical, mental and emotional relaxation.
Restorative yoga classes are very slow paced and a good choice when you want to balance an active yoga practice. You will use many props like bolsters, blankets and straps so that you can be comfortable in the pose.
The benefits here are less physical and more mental/emotional. With a restorative yoga class, you will:
Still your mind
Deeply relax your body
Balance your immune and nervous system
Boost your immunity
Join one of our restorative “Relax and renew” yoga classes.
In short, with yin yoga you are actively stretching your connective tissues while restorative yoga makes you passively release mind-body tension. Both are great if you’re looking to balance your more active/yang yoga practice or simply to take a break from a more physical practice. At Yoga Moves we like to incorporate a few meditative classes in our weekly/monthly practice to really give our body and mind the best.
So, which one are you going to try?