A Week of Yin

I’ve spent the last week taking a Yin yoga training with a fellow teachers, Bernie Clark and Diana Batts. I’ve known them for years, we’ve taught at the same studios but I had not taken their training. 

It was fantastic!

I have a confession to make – I’ve never been a fan of yin yoga for my own body. I’m very flexible and over the years have stretched too far to the point that I’ve had quite a few injuries. So there was never an appeal to do long holds to stretch the connective tissue. I can appreciate what it does for those who are structurally more stable but I did not come to yoga with stability, I cam with mobility. 

My work has been to strengthen and even shorten my muscles. Weight training and pilates have been my medicine. While I was seeking those methods, I also fell in love with Restorative yoga. Similar principles in Yin for long holds but instead of seeking “sensation/stretch” you’re being held up by props to put your body and mind into deep rest. It was perfect for my busy body and mind. 

I took a few trainings in Restorative and loved them. 

This year I was looking for another training, I usually do a few a year and Yin came up in conversation and I thought, why not? I’ve read the books, understand the principles but it’s always better to receive these teachings in person. So to Yin training I went!

Bernie and Diana were great. Color coded manual, clear syllabus, concise teaching points and slides. It was a well thought out training. I enjoyed their method of teaching, Bernie’s approach to functional anatomy and we practiced yin every morning. With the knowledge of Restorative I was able to find my “edge” where I felt a bit of stretch but didn’t feel like I was stretching too far. My body and mind felt good.

One student found out I was a teacher and asked why I was here. Didn’t I have enough training? I laughed. I’ll continue to take trainings until I can’t. I LOVE LEARNING. Learning from people, from books, from experiences. This week left me inspired. There’s always something to learn. Something you can apply to your daily life and your teaching. 

Soooo I ask you –

What have you been geeking out on lately? 

Where are you seeking knowledge? 

From those learnings, what have you applied to your daily life?