Yin/Nidra/Sound Bath

Saturday, April 13th 5 – 7 p.m.

Here is more information on Yin Yoga and on Sound Bath

Why Yin? “Most forms of yoga today are dynamic, active practices designed to work only half of our body, the muscular half, the ‘yang’ tissues. Yin Yoga allows us to work the other half, the deeper ‘yin’ tissues of our ligaments, joints, deep fascial networks and even our bones. All of our tissues are important and need to be exercised so that we can achieve optimal health and vitality.” Bernie Clark.

Everything in existence is a combination of the opposing but complementary facets of yin and yang. Yang is described as active, hot, rapid, dense, gross, and yin is passive, cool, slow, light and subtle.

Our lifestyles here in the west can be described as generally very yang focused – we are encouraged to be active, focused on effort, focused on production, on doing and achieving. However, in order to live balanced, healthy and truly productive lives, we need to be sure to incorporate yin energy into our lives. One good way to do this is to practice yin yoga.

In yin yoga we are able to go deep into our bodies and into minds. We hold poses – often a passive stretch – for a longer time, working beyond muscles so that we experience a therapeutic effect on our deep connective tissue and fascia. Because this is where we store a lot of our ‘stuff’, we find that this practice can offer us deep release – physically, mentally and emotionally. While in the poses, we practice with the mind – yin is sometimes referred to as meditative yoga. We use the poses to get into the body and not the other way around. When we come out of a yin pose, we pause to notice what’s happening in the body. As we practice more and more, we become attuned to the subtleties of the body. Yin is not restorative or gentle yoga. Sometimes, because we’re going deep, the poses can be uncomfortable. But when we embrace this discomfort as an indication of where our work lies, physically and mentally, we find we are able to go even deeper and let even more go. Following a practice of yin with a practice of Yoga Nidra – yogic sleep – allows the body to relax as if it are asleep – even though you are still awake. This allows your body to assimilate all the work and release you’ve done during the session. It also allows your nervous system to recalibrate for a time. And at the end of class you will feel wonderful. Some students say: this feels like I’ve just gotten a massage or this feels like medicine for my body, or I feel like I’m on could 9! Ultimately, these students have come back to themselves and back to balance and these are feelings that everyone needs to feel in their day to day, not just after a trip to be spa!

Sound Bath Description

Sound baths help to move the body and mind from a place of imbalance to one of balance. Using the vibrational resonance and frequency of crystal singing bowls and other instruments, a sound bath facilitates shifts in the body’s brainwave state, enabling participants to reach deep meditative states, and promotes deep levels of physical and mental relaxation. In this relaxed state, the body’s stress response shuts off and the relaxation response engages, resulting in the lowering of the heart rate and blood pressure, and activation of the body’s natural healing process. 

Participants in sound baths often experience:

• Feeling calmer
• Reduced feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression
• A release of tension
• Deep relaxation
• Improved mood
• Better sleep
• Stronger mind-body connection

Participants should wear warm, loose-fitting clothing, avoid heavy meals beforehand, and come well-hydrated for optimal results. As the body’s core temperature can drop during a sound bath, a blanket may also be beneficial.

Please note that sound baths are not recommended for people with pacemakers, artificial heart valves, or those with pumps, devices, or metal in the body.