Yin Yoga

2038-01-19T03:14:07Z

I used to practice yoga regulalry about five years ago, but I stopped for time and money issues. At that time I was practicing with Kathleen Kelly-Hoffmann at the Bay Area Yoga Center in Green Bay, and I promised myself I would go back eventually. Unfortunately, I never did. And it has become painfully obvious to me. I feel I was in the best shape of my life and was much more calm emotionally than I am now. A lot has happened since then, and there is no one cause for my physcial condition now, but the absence of yoga is noticeable.

So, I've decided to try to return to yoga. I'm going to try to start and maintain a home practice rather than go back to Kathleen's center. (The fact is, I'm a little embarassed to go back, now.) To start I found a nice routine by Sarah Powers in the June 2007 issue of Yoga Journal. The practice is based on Yin Yoga, a simple, slow set of asanas (postures) designed to deepen motion in the joints and strengthen muscles.

Butterfly

Saddle

Sphinx & Seal

Child's Pose

Half Dragonfly & Dragonfly

Full Forward Bend (Caterpiller)

Savasana (Corpse Pose)

After a few times through, I may try to add in a few Dragons as they seem particularly useful for my rapier practice.

I did my first series today, and I can tell I'm way out of practice. I used to be able to do Saddle pose; now I can barely get a quarter of the way there. The series also suggests holding each pose for 3-5 minutes; I think I managed 30 seconds-1 minute each. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but it already feels good. I'm going to try to practice this three times a week.

Wish me luck.

Reality Crashes My Brain

Yin Yoga