What is yin yoga, and what are its unique benefits?

Yin yoga is a slow-paced, meditative style where poses are held for extended periods, typically 3-5 minutes or longer. Unlike 'yang' styles that target muscles, yin yoga works on the deeper connective tissues: ligaments, fascia, joints, and bones. These tissues require gentle, sustained pressure to release and lengthen. Yin is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and aims to improve energy flow through the body's meridians. It's an excellent complement to more active practices and promotes deep relaxation and flexibility.

Key Takeaways

• 1Poses held for 3-5 minutes or longer
• 2Targets deep connective tissues, not muscles
• 3Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles
• 4Promotes relaxation and stress relief
• 5Great complement to active yoga styles