YIN YOGA

The benefits of a Yin Yoga practice include

Relaxation and restoration of connective tissue in the body

Myofascial release

Reduction of muscle spasms

Improved joint movement

Decreased tension in body

Stress reduction

Mental clarity

Improved breathing

Reduction in chronic recurring injuries

Spinal flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral movement

Stimulates production of hyaluronic acid and collagen

Brings the body back into its harmonious balance of strength, flexibility and ability to protect itself from injury and illness

CONNECTIVE TISSUE

The body has four different types of tissue; nervous, muscular, epithelial, and connective. In Yin Yoga we focus on connective tissue such as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.

Connective tissue is very much alive and responds to stimuli and reacts to keep the body healthy. Collagen, which is found in tendons, ligaments, and fascia, strengthens the bones and cartilage. When these tissues are regularly stimulated, water, cells, nutrients, and other components can move and circulate freely throughout the body. Then, toxins and waste products can migrate out of the matrix of connective tissue into the blood or lymphatic system to be removed by the body. As we age, however, our tissues become stiffer, less elastic, and less open to the flow of the other components of our matrix.

Yin Yoga stresses the matrix of connective tissue in our bodies to keep it hydrated, open, and strong, supple, abundant, youthful, and radiant.

Imagine the inner tube of a bicycle wheel is deflated. It feels weak and lifeless. You can bend it in any direction. Now imagine the same inner tube filled with water. Try to flex it now and feel the rigidity that has suddenly appeared. It now has resistance and strength. Similarly, our connective tissues are filled with a variety of extra-cellular substances such as collagen fibers, and elastin that provide strength and support to the tissues. May be liquid (blood), gelatinous (areolar tissue), may be rubbery (cartilage), may be calcified (bone). Cartilage eases joint movements while blood transports nutrients, gases, wastes, and hormones throughout the body.

FASCIA

Fascia is a sheet of connective tissue that attaches, stabilizes, encloses, and isolates the muscles and other internal organs. The white fibrous web that holds an orange together is a way to understand how the fascia works in our bodies.

Fascia helps

Maintain structural integrity

Provides support and protects to internal organ

Acts as a shock absorber

Provides pathway for cells to communicate with each other

Is the body’s first line of defense against pathogens and infection

Creates an environment for tissue repair after an injury

Myo means muscle and fascia means band or connective tissue. Myofascial yoga or myofascial release refers to the release of connective bands and spaces all around and within the muscle. It can directly change and improve the health of the fascia, break down scar tissue, relax muscles, relax fascia, and restore healthy posture.

Fascial tension is often the reason for undiagnosable chronic pain which can lead to a gradual increase in physical problems. When fascia is tight for a long period of time it, begins to put an unnecessary pressure on surrounding nerves and blood vessels which:

Creates symptoms of pain and poor circulation

Leads to tightness around pain sensitive nerves and hardening of tissue, making consumption of vital nutrients more difficult in that area

Makes the body work much harder to deliver necessary nutrients throughout the entire body

When fascia is damaged, shocked, worn out, or depleted, it often leads to

Headaches

Muscle spasms

Chronic back and neck pain

Recurring injuries

Sciatica

Breathing difficulties

Numbness

Pins and needles

Poor posture

Reduced flexibility

What causes tight fascia

Inflammation

Trauma

Physical injuries

Poor posture

Lack of stretching

Prolonged sitting or standing

Emotional distress

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid keeps collagen hydrated and elastic. It allows tissue to bear weight, withstand great tension, and endure wear and tear.

As we get older the production of hyaluronic acid decreases and as a result our tissues begin to deflate in their plumpness, making our tissues dry out, and our skin wrinkly. Practicing Yin Yoga helps delay these inevitable trends.

Deep stretching of the connective tissues helps stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid to re-enliven the body. Various postures help to work against the forces of contraction & reversing degeneration of the joints. Connective tissue provides meridian system routes for energy to flow around the body and meridian system. How well this functions depends on the presence of sufficient hyaluronic acid because of its ability to hold liquid in the tissues.