Yin, Yoga Nidra & Restorative Yoga
In a city like Washington, DC, where the norm is to be over-scheduled, exhausted, and stressed, it can be hard to find space to slow down and turn inward. The more subtle practices of Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Restorative Yoga can serve as antidotes to the stressors of modern life, helping you cultivate mindful awareness, relax, and boost resilience.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga uses gentle and long-held poses to target the body's connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, and fascia). It gently and safely enhances the pliancy of our joints within our natural range of motion, and can help liberate the body's chronic holding patterns. With its slow and meditative pacing, a Yin practice naturally draws the mind inward into a relaxed and reflective state, where awareness can be brought to postural, breath and thought patterns.
Wake Up Yin
Let’s welcome each Sunday morning with a slow-paced and restorative Yin Yoga practice. We will gently open into various poses and hold them for a short period of time — usually 3-5 minutes — with the intention of entering a deep stretch of the body’s connective tissue. While the teacher will invite you to allow the pose to reveal what is available each practice, they will also offer variations and suggest the use of props to help students settle into each posture, without strain or struggle. Yin Yoga is a practice that is suitable for all levels — from first-time yogis to experienced practitioners. The intention for each class is to allow students to open slowly and gently, and welcome the day feeling more connected and spacious.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a centuries-old meditation practice, often referred to as yogic sleep, though going to sleep is not the intent of the practice. Through the use of breath awareness, body scanning, and imagery, you will be invited to simply become aware of your experience and sensations without needing to change, fix, or resolve anything. This is a meditation where there is truly nothing for you to do but notice — supporting you in feeling empowered, awakened, and whole just as you are. Additionally, experiencing this practice can feel like two to three hours of deep rest to your body. Typically you will practice Yoga Nidra lying down, supported with bolsters or pillows, and covered with a blanket. The practice can also be experienced resting on your side or sitting up, if lying down is uncomfortable or feels too vulnerable.
Restorative Yoga
Blankets and bolsters and sandbags, oh my! Restorative yoga is a nourishing, meditative practice where the body is supported by props in each pose. Restorative poses are held for several minutes to encourage continued release and deeper levels of relaxation. The purpose is to soften and release the grip and tension that may be present in our bodies, and to feel fully supported and held in each pose. This practice can deeply calm your nervous system and provide a sense of nourishment and ease.