Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga are both greatly beneficial practices that are accessible to a wide range of people. At Zen Soul Balance, we offer regular yin yoga San Diego sessions to help our clients connect the energy of the mind, soul, and body through a series of postures and meditative silence. While both Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga provide a rich array of benefits, it’s useful to know their differences. In fact, this awareness can help clients better receive the benefits of each practice.
Yin Yoga vs. Restorative Yoga – The Differences
The Intention
Yin Yoga is intended to actively stretch the practitioner’s fascia and connective tissues in the back, legs, neck, spine, feet, and arms. Restorative yoga focuses on tension reduction in the body and mind. However, both formats induce greater connectivity with the breath and a sense of peacefulness.
Level of Stretch
Restorative yoga encourages a passive stretch with the use of blocks, props, and blankets to alleviate any resting tension. Many of the postures are intended to bring awareness deeper within the body, helping us to let go of stress and discomfort. Yin yoga uses active stretching techniques to engage the muscles, tissue, and fascia.
Use of Props
Restorative yoga uses props solely as a supportive aid. The props help the practitioner rest their head, neck, shoulds, or hips to encourage a deeper relaxation and disengagement. Restorative yoga may also use weighted blankets or sandbags to bring a sense of calm and security. During yin yoga, props may also be used, but they are often utilized to deepen or focus the stretch.
About Yin Yoga
At Zen Soul Balance, we guide clients through traditional Yin Yoga sequences designed to stretch the connective tissues throughout the body. During each posture, we remind students to focus on the power of their breath, which can increase the depth of the stretch while encouraging a meditative state. Each pose is held for one to five minutes, allowing the body to relax and into the full depth of the position. On a deeper level, Yin Yoga helps us find support in surrender, power in stillness, and re-connects us to our breath.
The Benefits of Yin Yoga
- Stretches the connective tissues (fascia)
- Activates the parasympathetic nervous system
- Increases strength and balance
- Supports increased flexibility
- Increases joint mobility
- Encourages more attention to good posture
- Releases tension in the joints and muscles
- Promotes focus, calm, and relaxation
- Allows the practitioner to focus on breath
- Decreases heart rate and stress
About Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga is a favorite among many students for various reasons. Serious athletes love this practice for its ability to release tension and increase focus. Busy professionals benefit from Restorative Yoga’s tendency to reduce stress, improve sleep, and spark contentment. Senior practitioners enjoy Restorative Yoga as a way to support breathwork, release tension, and improve balance.
The Benefits of Restorative Yoga:
- Aids meditation
- Supports the release of tension in the mind, muscles, and joints
- Encourages relaxation and readiness for sleep
- Allows for a better quality of breath
- Helps to create a sense of well-being and security
- Enables healing, both physical and psychological
If you’re interested in learning more about yoga and how it can benefit you, check out our upcoming events or get in touch to learn more about our Restorative and Yin Yoga offerings.