yuj (sanskrit): to yoke or to join, root of modern word "yoga"

Vin Yin Yoga, also referred to as Yin Yang Yoga is a practice that combines Vinyasa and Yin Yoga. We begin with a fiery (Yang energy) flow for the first half and conclude with a cooling (Yin energy) sequence. The Vinyasa portion warms the body and rids your body of excess Prana, with typical holds for each asana being 1- 3 breaths. After this, you’re ready to relax and lengthen during the Yin Yoga sequence, which involves grounded and supported postures held between 1 and 3 minutes. Yin Yoga especially reaches into the fascia and connective tissues and, with the aid of breathwork, allows the practitioner to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (which is the part of the body that supports immune function and combats stress and fatigue). During pandemic in particular, I am feeling called to share this combination of practices because it allows us to move in the more familiar Yang flow that enables us to elevate the heart rate and break a sweat. But it also provides the opportunity for us to slow down at the end of our practice, to sit with the range of our human emotions, and to cultivate gratitude for our miraculous bodies. Though the idea of slowing down may be challenging (or may even present mental resistance at first), Yin teaches us to be gentle, patient, and nonreactive as we observe ourselves in a safe and supportive space.