Yin Yoga: Outline of a Quiet Practice

I have been practicing yoga for a number of years. Since I am drawn to the "vinyasa" yoga pratices of Power and Ashtanga, I wasn't sure I'd like this book because Yin yoga poses are held for 4-5 minutes at a time. Being the open-minded person that I am, I decided to give the book and this practice a try. In the past month, I have new-found length in my spinal muscles, and my hips (which are my tighter spaces) are opening as well. I can't believe how much length and openness I have acheived in such a short time. Yin yoga has tremendously helped my asana practice. I can see and feel the difference in my Ashtanga primary series practice. I would highly recommend this book to ANY yoga practioner - from beginners to advanced. The poses are safe and effective and you feel the difference in your body very quickly. Paul also has a DVD called "YIN YOGA". It contains 2 discs. The first explains the theory of Yin Yoga. The second is a practice DVD. It contains several YIN yoga sequences and has special YANG yoga sequences that are very "Tai Chi" - like. This DVD kit is a nice compliment to the book.

I started yoga over 20 years ago for an injury. Yoga was like this, slow, calm and peaceful. I have done starter level yoga for all these years, and have watched yoga become "Power, Hot, Strength" and many other unfun things. New yoga requires the perfect body type and hip alinment. So I am back to YIN Basics, my hip pain is under control again. In two weeks I can get twice as deep into the postures, pain relief now lasts 24 hours. I like being a perpetual beginner, and I am really enjoying YIN yoga. If you do not have a yoga block, I suggest you get one.I highly recommend this and Yamura Body Rolling if you interest is pain control, increased flexability, not ultra yoga.

No words are wasted in this book, its brief and to the point. Paul Grilley covers the meridians/nadis in the body and how they are affected by this simple yet deep practice. In my opinion, yin yoga is much needed in our vinyasa-focused Western vision of hatha yoga. I am an ashtanga teacher and the practice of yin yoga has increased my understanding and awareness of my physical body. It is a welcome compliment to the yang aspect of my personal practice. Almost all the postures in this book are seated since yin yoga focuses on the area from the hips to the knees. What I love about this particular style is that you can do it first thing in the morning when you're cold and stiff or after a heated vinyasa practice.I recommend this book because out of my numerous yoga texts, this is one that I constantly reach for.