Restorative vs Yin from a Therapeutic Lens

Yin Yoga Practice vs a Restorative Yoga Practice — we love them both and they each have their rightful place in whole-istic healing…

In a restorative practice, the intention is for us to find security that allows us to release our muscles. We strive to eliminate the pull of gravity by bringing the ground up to our mindfully positioned bodies through the use of wonderfully decadent and supportive props. This generates a sense of safety so that we might let go of chronically held tension for a truly restful, easeful, and open experience. We are down-regulating the nervous system to allow for healing through softening and opening the body.

Yin yoga is a deceptively active practice. Muscles are typically not warmed up beforehand so that heat is generated by way of the deep, fascia-level stretching in a pose that is often held for a few minutes at a time. Yin yoga is essentially toning our connective tissues which allow our muscles to function optimally and our bodies to move safely. Through a wellbeing lens, yin yoga allows us to quite literally sit within our discomfort — a key component of resilience. For some, yin yoga is a powerful somatic tool for developing emotional regulation, integrating trauma, and increasing neuroplasticity.