Yin Yoga, Resting in What Is

FRIDAYS: 4:15p - 5:30p ($14) @ Berkeley Yoga Center

Yin Yoga via Buddhism's Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Emphasizing the techniques of vipassana (insight) meditation and Taoist yoga, this class is an opportunity to go inward.   Yin yoga is the practice of holding various postures for longer periods of time; sometimes as long as 5-10 minutes in length.  Practicing the postures in this way allows one a deeper relationship with the subtle aspects of practice; and this in turn allows the body to relax in a way that creates access to the layer of tissue that comprise the muscular system's underlying foundation - namely, that of connective tissue.  Due to the length of time in each posture, the majority of yin practice consists of a more gentle floor-based and meditative practice (vipassana-like); depth of experience results not from efforting, but rather arises naturally due to the extended time in each posture.  This style of yoga is appropriate for all body types and experience levels.

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NOTE: The way in which I teach yin yoga is guided by a combination of my years studying and practicing numerous forms of yoga, meditation, and philosophy (primarily Buddhism and Hinduism); my own personal life experiences; and the intuition that arises continually when we each practice awakening to pure awareness, or presence.  It is in this same spirit that I encourage your own self-exploration.

With regards to class structure, I would like to mention that the teaching of Sarah Powers has influenced the manner in which I teach yin yoga - her ability to integrate body, heart, and mind has mirrored back to me my own teaching and practice in refreshingly natural and clear ways.  Sarah is co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute.