Massage, Yoga Classes and Counselling
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin Yoga is a slow-paced, meditative practice where poses are held for long periods—typically 3 to 5 minutes or more. Unlike dynamic classes that work the muscles, Yin targets the connective tissues, such as the fascia, ligaments, and joints.
By applying gentle, steady pressure to these deeper layers, we encourage them to safely lengthen and hydrate, which leads to better mobility and a more resilient body as we age.
Yin Yoga: The Art of Stillness and Surrender
If Hatha and Vinyasa are the "heat" of yoga, Yin Yoga is the "cool." While most modern yoga styles focus on muscular strength and active movement (the Yang), Yin Yoga invites us to slow down, settle into stillness, and target the deeper, quieter parts of our body.
The Three Pillars of Yin
To practice Yin effectively, we follow three simple yet profound principles:
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Find Your Edge: Move into the pose until you feel a "goldilocks" level of sensation—not too much (pain), not too little (nothing).
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Resolve to be Still: Once you find your edge, settle in. Stillness allows the muscles to relax so the stretch can reach the deeper connective tissues.
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Hold for a period of Time: We stay in the shape to allow the body to slowly adapt and release.
The Benefits: Beyond the Physical
Yin Yoga is as much a mental practice as it is a physical one. Because you are held in a pose for several minutes, it forces you to sit with your thoughts and breath.
1. Increases Flexibility and Joint Health
By stretching the fascia (the "shrink-wrap" around our muscles), Yin helps release deep-seated stiffness that active exercise often misses.
2. Calms the Nervous System
The long holds and deep breathing activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the "Rest and Digest" mode), significantly reducing stress and anxiety.
3. Improves Energy Flow (Qi)
Drawing from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yin Yoga aims to stimulate the meridians (energy channels) in the body, helping to remove blockages and improve the flow of Qi (life force).
4. Cultivates Mindfulness
It acts as a gateway to meditation. Learning to stay present through the mild discomfort of a long hold builds incredible mental resilience and emotional balance.
What can I expect in a typical Yin Class with Suzie?
You will be guided through the class using a variety of props, such as a bolster, blanket, block and eye pillow.
Suzie will demonstrate each pose and talk you through, offering variations to suit your individual level. In some poses, you may require more support with props and in others you may require less. Finding your level of comfort is very important so that you can slowly release your fascia, without causing any harm to the body.
Pranayama (breathwork), sound and meditation are weaved into the class to help you deepen your meditative experience.
You will arrive in each pose and stay there for a period of time, usually between 1 and 5 minutes. In between poses, you will take a moment to absorb the changes occurring in your body before moving to the next pose.
By the end of the class, you will most likely feel completely relaxed, calm and grounded with a greater range of movement in your physical body.
Join us for a single session, 5 class pass or 10 class pass and experience deep calm.