Yin Yoga to regulate your nervous system

The world around us is a constant distraction and can trigger us on many levels. Knowing some tools and practices to regulate our nervous system can be very helpful.

Although the nervous system is able to regulate on its own, if our lifestyle and mental state are not supporting this regulation we might reside more in a constant state of hyperarousal. And I see this in a lot of my students.

Yin Yoga is an excellent practice for guiding your students towards soothing the nervous system and inviting the body into its rest and digest state.

How Yin Yoga supports nervous system regulation

Through its long-held, passive poses, Yin Yoga first of all creates some space - not just in the body’s tissues but also in your day. I see this in my students when they get to their Yin practice, it is often the first time in that day that they have some moments to themselves, some moments of quiet and stillness. This in itself takes away some of the noise and distraction of their life (or at least moves it into the background).

The Yin practice works on the body’s connective tissues (fascia), which communicates with the nervous system. The type of poses chosen and the longer duration stimulates our connective tissues: We find mechanoreceptors in the fascia- nerve endings of various types that act as sensors in the body. They relay proprioceptive information about stretching, movement, joint placement, compression etc. as information to the nervous system - in particular when the framework of Yin (longer holds, less intensity, less effort) is given. This signals our nervous system to induce an overall, global relaxation = we have the relaxation response is kicking in!

Stillness In Yin Yoga

This stillness in a Yin pose allows our body to soften, stretch deeply, and depending on the pose, we can also stimulate our energy state - while providing space for the nervous system to reset.

But stillness is also in itself so valuable- how often do you get to be still in your daily life? Whenever there is a free moment, we distract ourselves - often by checking our phones - we are rarely checking in with ourselves and I don’t think anyone out there is patiently observing their breath or any sensation in their body whilst waiting for the next train. In Yin Yoga there is less distraction and those moments of stillness give the students this opportunity to simply be with themselves - and nothing else.

Practice Yin Yoga at the End the Day: release any built up stress

Treat yourself to the calming benefits of Yin Yoga. I have put together a short but soothing wind-down practice for you:

Remember: This practice isn’t just about stretching; it is a conversation between the body, mind and nervous system.

As we allow this to unfold for our students, they can enter this safe space to release tension and restore balance.

Yin-spired greetings!

Simone x