Yoga of the Joints: Yin Yoga for Beginners

This class will look at Child's pose - what body area it targets and how you can modify the pose.

Child's pose can be used as either a counterpose to a backbend or as a Yin pose in itself. This is quite a restorative pose.

This class will look at Deer pose - the areas the pose can target and how you can modify this pose.

Deer pose is great as you have the option to modified the pose into a twist or forward fold. It can also be turned into quite a restorative pose, which is great for calming the nervous system. 

This class will look at Melting Heart Pose - the areas the pose can target and how you can adjust or modify the pose.

This pose is great for opening the front body, with the option of extending and stretching through the arms and armpits.

This class will look at Ankle Stretch and some of the modifications we can take.

This is a great pose for overall foot and ankle hygiene and one I love to pair with toe squat pose.

In this class we'll look at Toe Squat Pose and how we can modify this pose.

This can be quite an intense pose, but one which is great for foot health and hygiene, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

In this class we'll look at Banana Pose (or Bananasana - 'asana' is Sanskrit for pose or posture). We'll also look at how to adjust and modify the pose and where the pose targets.

This pose is a lovely lateral (side) stretch pose and one which can nicely follow a forward bend, back bend or twist. 

In this class we'll look at supported bridge pose and a few ways we can adjust the pose.

This is a gentle inversion and a lovely restorative pose, which calms the nervous system and supports the immune system.

In this class we'll look at Butterfly pose and some of the props we can use, how to use them and how to modify the pose to best suit you and your needs.

This pose is a hip opener, with the option of turning it into a forward fold. We'll also look at how we can use the wall to support us in this pose.

In this class we'll look at half butterfly and how we can modify the pose and use props to support us.

In this pose we have the option of taking different variations that target slightly different areas of the body, which can have different results.

In this class we'll look at a pose called Cat Pulling its Tail and how we can modify this pose to best suit us.

This pose is a twist which can also stretch the IT band and leg muscles. We'll look at a couple of different version of this pose.

In this class we'll look at Caterpillar pose and how we can use props to support us in the pose.

This is a popular forward fold, allowing us to flex through the spine and stretch the backs of the legs. We'll also look at how we can use the wall to support us (with Legs up the Wall pose and another variation), where we avoid flexing through the spine.

In this class we'll look at Dangling pose and how you can combine this pose with Squat pose, as well as how you can modify the pose to best suit you.

Dangling pose is one of the only standing poses in Yin yoga.

In this class we'll look at the Squat pose (sometimes called Yogi Squat or in Sanskrit 'Malasana'). We'll also look at some modifications and adjustments you can make.

This is a fantastic pose for our lower back, hips and ankles. It's also supposed to be very good for the digestive system.

In this class we'll look at 4 different dragon poses, how you can get into the poses and in which order, as well as how you can modify these poses.

You'll likely recognise these dragon poses from other forms of yoga. In Yin we don't tend to use the same pose names as in other forms of yoga. This is because a lot of the times the poses won't look the exact same - and they aren't meant to. We don't want to activate muscles and sometimes we even target different areas of the body, and of course we target the connective tissues rather than the muscles themselves. By using a different name we are less likely to automatically move into the Hatha or Vinyasa version of the pose (breaking that relationship or habit).

In this class we'll look at frog pose, as well as tadpole pose. We'll also look at how we can modify the pose and use props to assist us.

This is a great pose for opening the hips and groin region.

In this class we'll look at Happy Baby pose and how we can use a few props to help us. We'll also look at how to do happy baby with one leg (a great alternative to some of the dragon poses). We'll finish by using a wall to support us in the pose.

In this class we'll look at a few different reclining twists. We'll also learn how we can target different areas of the spine in the twist.

We'll finish by look at Twisted Roots pose and Twisted Twisted Roots poses.

In this class we'll look at Straddle pose and a few ways we can modify this pose using different props to support us.

We'll look at how we can turn Straddle pose into a lateral stretch and/ or twist.

In this class we'll look at the different Swan poses we can take. These poses will target different areas and can be modified differently depending on your needs.

We'll also look at a few alternative poses to take - as the Swans are poses that are either loved or hated.

In this class we'll look at Shoelace pose, how we can modify the pose and how we can use props to support us in the pose.

This pose can be combined with some of the arm poses (check out that class for more on arm stretches).

In this class we'll look at Square pose, how we can modify this pose and a few alternatives we can take.

If you have tight hips, then this pose might not be for you. If you start to feel pain in the knees, then take one of the alternative options.

Like shoelace pose, this pose can be combined with some arm stretches.

In this class we'll look at both Sphinx and Seal pose. These poses are both backbends, and we'll look at how we can move from one post to the other safely, how we can use props to support us and what we should watch out for in our bodies while in these poses.

These poses are great for strengthening the lower back, if done correctly.

In this class we'll look at three different neck stretches that you can either take as a Yin pose in itself or combine with other Yin poses, such as Square pose of Shoelace pose.

In this class we'll look at a few wrist stretches you can take.

Some of these stretches you'll be able to combine with other poses, such as Squat pose or Shoelace pose.

In this class we'll look at 3 different shoulder stretches. Two of these poses you'll be able to combine with other poses such as, Shoelace pose or Square pose. These poses are Archer's Arms and Eagle Arms.

The third pose we'll look at is Thread the Needle, which is a great should stretch and can be used as a Yin pose or counterpose.

In this class we'll look at Shavasana (or Corpse pose) and why this pose is important. We'll also look at a couple of different options you can take.

Every Yin class should end with a Shavasana or similar resting pose. This is the chance for our bodies to readjust before returning to our normal lives.

If you like, you can combine your Shavasana with a meditation or yoga Nidra - check out the meditation section for a downloadable Nidra to try.

In this class we'll look at Ocean's breath, a few of the benefits and how we can start using Ocean's breath in your practice.

There is also a step by step guide in the downloadable materials, which you can refer to.

In this class we'll look at Alternative Nostril Breathing, some of the benefits and how we can do this practice.

There is also a step by step guide in the downloadable materials, which you can refer to (under the Ocean's Breath lecture).

Give this breathing exercise a try after finishing your Shavasana or Yoga Nidra (which you can download in the meditation section).

In this class we'll look at Humming Bee Breath, some of the benefits and how we can do this practice.

There is also a step by step guide in the downloadable section (in the Ocean's Breath lecture).

Learn what the benefits of meditation are and how you can incorporate it into your Yin practice.

You'll also be able to download a guided relaxation (known as a Yoga Nidra) to try. You can listen to this at the end of one of your Yin yoga practices, or as a practice by itself.

The Yoga Nidra is a 17 minute guided relaxation, which includes a body scan, breath awareness and a visualisation.

During this class we'll focus on poses that target points along the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians. You'll also learn a little bit about these meridian lines and what they relate to.

Props:

- Yoga mat

- Yoga blocks or pillows (I'll be using mostly pillows during the class)

- Towel or blanket

Feel free to play some soothing music to accompany this class.

During this class we'll focus on poses that target points along the Kidney and Bladder meridians. You'll also learn a little bit about these meridian lines and what they relate to.

Props:

- Yoga mat

- Yoga blocks or pillows (I'll be using mostly pillows during the class)

- Towel or blanket

Feel free to play some soothing music to accompany this class.

During this class we'll focus on poses that target points along the Spleen and Stomach meridians. You'll also learn a little bit about these meridian lines and what they relate to.

Props:

- Yoga mat

- Yoga blocks or pillows (I'll be using mostly pillows during the class)

- Towel or blanket

- yoga strap, belt or rolled up towel

Feel free to play some soothing music to accompany this class.

Download this Beginner's Yin Yoga class to help get you started on your Yin yoga home practice journey.

This class is approximately 1 hour and is self-led. This is a great opportunity to try out variations of the pose that best suits you (rather than taking the option often given to you by the teacher).

You'll be able to use the knowledge learnt in the previous Yoga Pose lectures to assist you.

And remember, this is your class - it's about you and what you need.

This yoga class is designed to relax the body and mind, calming the nervous system and reducing stress and feeling of anxiousness.

This class is approximately 1 hour and is self-led.

This is a great opportunity to try out variations of the pose that best suits you (rather than taking the option often given to you by the teacher).

You'll be able to use the knowledge learnt in the previous Yoga Pose lectures to assist you.

This yoga class is designed to relief lower back pain, however even if your back feels fine, you'll still be targeting different areas of the body and feel many of the different benefits of the practice.

This class is approximately 1 hour and is self-led. This is a great opportunity to try out variations of the pose that best suits you (rather than taking the option often given to you by the teacher).

You'll be able to use the knowledge learnt in the previous Yoga Pose lectures to assist you.

This is a bonus Yin yoga class to help promote better sleep.

The class is 45 minutes long and designed for beginners. It's quite a restorative style Yin class, with lots of options to use props and blankets.

Though this is quite a restorative class, as always, yoga can be challenging but should never feel painful. If you do feel pain or tingling please come out of the pose. You may like to modify the pose or take an alternative pose - you can use your knowledge from the Yoga Pose lectures to help you (though I do give some different options during the class).

This is a bonus Beginner's Yin yoga for calm. The class is 45 minutes long and we'll focus on calming the nervous system, switching of the 'fight or flight' response.

Though this is a beginner's class, as always, yoga can be challenging but should never feel painful. If you do feel pain or tingling please come out of the pose. You may like to modify the pose or take an alternative pose - you can use your knowledge from the Yoga Pose lectures to help you (though I do give some different options during the class).