Let go and let be. Yin is a great way to let go of all muscular effort and allow gravity to slowly open the body up in the morning. Increasing and improving your overall flexibility.
As you work through these 5 poses, let it go. Body and mind. And simply be. As you hold each pose for 2 or 3 minutes.
Remember the 3 principles of yin: find your edge, be still, and hold the pose. Need more details watch the full video with my guided instructions below.
1. Butterfly Forward Fold – Begin sitting with the soles of the feet together and opening the knees out to the sides. Think of reaching the pelvis forwards. Move the feet farther out if needed to access the tilt. Let the spine naturally round as you fold down. Turn the palms up. Let the head be heavy.
2. Deer Pose – Bring the right shin in front and the right shin back behind. The legs will make two 90 degree angles. Focus on the left knee being in line with the hip, and shin parallel with the long edge of the mat. Push the left hip down. Bring the hands back behind you towards the right side. After a couple minutes, take your time transitioning to the other side.
3. Straddle Fold – Turn to the long edge of the mat, extending the legs out. As far as feels comfortable and still allows you to tilt the pelvis forward. Fold into the center. Let the spine round and drop the head. Soften between the shoulder blades. Turn the palms up, and relax head.
4. Sphinx – Come to lay on the belly, with the legs extended back and toes pointed. Bring the forearms on to the mat, roughly shoulder width apart. Walking the elbows in to deepen the backbend or move them farther away to lessen. Reach heart forward and gaze ahead. Closing eyes if you like or soften gaze.
5. Child’s Pose – Bring the big toes together and the knees as wide as feels good today. That could mean keeping them together if you prefer. Press the hips back towards the heels. Extend the arms forward and lower the forehead down to the mat. Melt the chest down and relax the shoulders. Breathe slowly and intentionally.
As I mentioned at the start, please do watch the 20 minute morning yin yoga class I shared where I walk you through step by step.
Kassandra
