Yin Yoga Podcast

Do you ever feel like Your Yin Yoga classes are getting boring? The first thing to get clear on as a teacher is, are you bored or are your students bored? Most of them (your students) aren't bored It's in your head, dear teacher, you are bored. They are probably not. 90% of the time, your students are not bored. They are content to do the same thing over and over and over again because it's more nourishing to their nervous system to have something familiar and predictable. It's the same reason that people who suffer from anxiety, for example, will watch the same movie over and over, right? It's like a little feel-good fix. You know what's coming. It's your favorite movie. It’s like this in their class. From my experience, 90% of the time, the teacher is bored with the sequence, not the students. That being said, in this episode, I will share some tips and Ideas to keep your Yin Yoga classes inspiring BOTH for you the teacher, and your students. But remember Dear Yoga Teacher Yin Yoga is not Entertainment. Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library: Full Show Notes https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/yin-yoga-podcast/ Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra  Find me on Instagram  @nykdanuyoga @YinYogaPodcast

The discussion dives into the challenge of feeling disconnected in Yin Yoga poses. It emphasizes that the practice isn't solely about chasing physical sensations or stretches, which can lead to addiction and injury. The hosts explore the importance of individual body awareness and mindfulness in yoga. They highlight nervous system regulation and the essence of yin practice beyond poses, inviting listeners to tune into themselves even when sensations seem absent. Reflection on personal experiences enriches the journey of yoga.

S. 2 | EP. 20What I have witnessed many times when I attend other people's yin-yang classes is that the class starts with some kind of grounding and centring.Then quickly move into sun salutations. Then there's a dead stop in the practice into child's pose, which is their transition into yin. And then they throw in some Yin poses. That's not very skillful. And here's why our nervous system is going to have a lot of trouble adjusting to move, move, move, move, move, hot, sweaty, hot, sweaty, hot, sweaty, peak pose, bam, yin pose. It's too jarring to go right from one to the other. I would argue that a yin-yang class is more circular in nature. It's more of a circular experience and the transitions are slower and they have more ease in them. There's a little bit more kind of moving from one to the other instead of this start-stop. And although that might be an okay Yang to Yin class, I know dear yoga teacher listening that you don't just want to teach okay classes. I know that you want to teach exceptional classes. Part of my mission with this podcast is to give you some tools tips and techniques to help you guide exceptional classes. Okay, so we'll talk about all of this and more in this episodeAlso mentioned in this episode: What is Yin YangAre you teaching your Yin Yoga with your Yang attitudeHonoring the ReboundYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra 

The discussion tackles a bold claim that Yin Yoga isn't suitable for beginners, sparking a lively exploration of individual motivations and mental states. Insights are shared on how teachers can effectively accommodate newcomers to Yin practices. The community's engagement is also celebrated, highlighting the importance of listener feedback and experiences. The warmth of connection in the Yin Yoga community is palpable, leaving listeners both informed and inspired.

S. 2 | EP. 18Hands Off - Should We Offer Hands-On Assists Yin Yoga Classes?Today's episode, which I think is going to be a juicy one and probably a little bit controversial, perhaps  (I am known for having unpopular opinions), we will be exploring the question of offering hands-on assists in Yin yoga classes from my perspective.If you are new to the podcast, or if you're new to Yin, you may also want to check out the episode What is Yin Yoga, to set the stage as to what Yin Yoga is and how It's different.Active, more dynamic, more moving form of practice is focused on proprioception. So like, where is my body in space? So when you are, for example, standing at the front of your mat, and you have to step back to do a high lunge, knowing where your foot should land behind you without looking is proprioception.These movement forms of Yoga are excellent at cultivating the skill of proprioception. Proprioception vs. Interoception:Proprioception's focus is on external body awareness compared to interoception's emphasis on internal awareness.Yin yoga's unique emphasis on interoception contrasts with more dynamic yoga styles.It's important not to bring out Baggage from more active styles of Yoga into Our Yin Yoga Practice. Yin Yoga isn't "just like regular Yoga with longer holds".Most yoga teachers are not educated enough in anatomy and kinesiology to know whether or not that is safe for that particular student, right? So just because something is safe for one student doesn't mean it's a safe adjustment for the very next student. Okay. So each student has their own individual body, their own individual bone structures, their own body proportions, et cetera, et cetera.That's not to mention issues and injuries and, dominant hands and feet and all the things. So as student from student to student, they're so different. So going in with the same sort of rote, everybody gets this adjustment is not skillful.Episode Highlights:Challenging the appropriateness of hands-on assists in Yin yoga classesIndividual student needs and safety concerns.Honouring and respecting Yin Yoga's focus on internal experience and introspection.Advocating for a teaching approach that prioritizes verbal and visual guidanceI want to encourage Yoga teachers to prioritize student safety, autonomy, and inclusivity in their teaching approach.Teaching a trauma-informed practice where students are encouraged to explore and have agency over their bodiesScope of practice as a Yoga Teacherand much moreYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Full Show Notes https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/yin-yoga-podcast/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra 

S 2| EP. 17CW: Trauma, Sexual AssaultThis is Part Three in a three-part mini-series on Trauma, the nervous system, and Yin Yoga.In part one Alyssa Stephenson and I discussed the nervous system and Trauma.trauma-sensitive yogaIn part two Nicole Marcia and I discussed the definition of Trauma Sensitive Yoga and how we can make Yin Yoga Trauma-informed.In this final part, we come full circle in so many ways.My guest today Janis Isaman started practicing with me in one one-on-one Yin Yoga sessions. She then went on to take her Yin Yoga training with Paul Grilley And now teaches Yin Yoga. So that's one Full Circle.But there is also a full circle in her journey with her trauma. From working with me and unearthing (what she now knows is trauma). To dive deep into her Trauma while studying with Paul to then training to become a Trauma Centre Certified Yoga Teacher.Circles Within Circles in this episode.My biggest Takeaway from this episode is that trauma work is so individual. While Yin Yoga might be too much for one person (depending on where they are in their journey) for another it might be an essential tool and key to helping them release and build resilience in their trauma journey. You can find Janis Website: https://www.mybodycouture.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybodycoutureYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdp9LHx2nlza_to_6wT7TgYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Full Show Notes https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/yin-yoga-podcast/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra 

S 2| EP. 16CW: Trauma, sexual assault, addictionIs Yin Yoga Trauma Sensitive?This is a nuanced and complex conversation. I hope that this conversation will give some clarity on what trauma-sensitive Yoga is, and what it's not.And the difference between trauma-sensitive Yoga and trauma-informed Yoga is.This episode will help teachers learn how to make their Yin classes more trauma-informed and have a better understanding of how trauma shows up in Yoga classes.When I started my Yoga therapy training (and met today's guest) I initially had a little crisis of faith when I started realizing that according to the Trauma Center definition, Yin Yoga wasn't trauma-sensitive 😳.I was feeling torn between my LOVE of Yin Yoga and my new path as a Yoga Therapist. Eventually, I managed to find a way to make my Yin Yoga classes Trauma-Informed and my guest Nicole Marcia was largely responsible for me being able to make that transition.If you are a Yoga teacher you are teaching people with trauma whether you know it or not. I hope this episode will help you navigate how to make your classes more trauma-informed and If you are looking for more training on this topic I highly recommend workshops and courses with Nicole Marcia.Nicole Marcia, MA, MC, C-IAYT (she/her) is an Ashkenazi Jew of mixed European descent. In 2009, she was awarded a master’s degree specializing in yoga therapy from Lesley University in Boston, MA. For 9 years, she served as the Director of Therapeutic Yoga Programming for the Provincial Health Services Authority at their Burnaby Centre for Mental Health & Addictions and Riverview Psychiatric Hospital. From 2007-2018, she worked as a yoga therapist at Onsite, the treatment arm of North America’s first safe injection site in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. She also served as the Director of Teacher Training and Mentorship with Yoga Outreach from 2007 - 2023.In addition to training yoga and healthcare professionals internationally,  Nicole has facilitated therapeutic classes for women fleeing situations of human trafficking and worked extensively with teens living with mental health challenges. She is a member of the Breathe Network which connects survivors of sexual violence with healing arts practitioners and has received her BCPFFA Silver Seal of Endorsement for completing Levels 1 & 2 of the BC Professional Fire Fighters Associations Occupational Awareness for Treating First Responder Trauma.Nicole recently completed her Masters in Counselling through City University of Seattle and is seeing clients in her private practice where she combines Yoga therapy and talk therapy.Nicole's WebsiteYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Full Show Notes https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/yin-yoga-podcast/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra 

S 2| EP. 15CW: Trauma, addiction, domestic abuseWhen I started planning this podcast and the topics I wanted to cover, I knew we had to have an episode on trauma but as it turns out we will have three.This episode with Alyssa Stefanson will be the first in a three-part series on trauma starting first by laying the foundation of what trauma is and an understanding of our nervous system.As soon as I started planning this episode I knew that Alyssa would be the perfect guest to lay this foundation. I have heard her interviewed on a few podcasts and not only does she have a wealth of information and training under her belt, but she's able to explain things in really clear terms to beginners to this information.Alyssa also has one of the most inspiring personal stories of transformation I have ever heard. If you have ever wondered if people can truly change, she is proof that you can.Alyssa is my first none Yoga teacher guest (but is a regular Yin practitioner) and she has a unique set of credentials and lived experience that makes her ideally suited to lay this foundation for us.About Alyssa:Alyssa is a holistic health coach and somatic practitioner, dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey towards physical and emotional healing.With a deep understanding of nervous, system-based mind, and body connection, Alyssa helps tap into the wisdom held within their bodies to release tension trauma, and stuck energy through various somatic techniques, including breathwork, somatic parts work, movement, and body awareness.Alyssa empowers her clients to reconnect with their inner resources, fostering a sense of wholeness and resilience.Alyssa is a certified holistic health coach, certified somatic breathwork practitioner, certified somatic parts, work practitioner, certified in somatic attachment therapy.So that's a little bit about Alyssa you might want to get out pen and paper for this episode on Trauma 101, The Nervous System, and Yin Yoga.Find Alyssa https://www.instagram.com/thealyssastefanson/Yoga Teachers: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/ at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes On Zoom https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/online-yoga/To subscribe to my https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/video-library/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley : https://pranamaya.com/courses/anatomy-for-yoga/?ref=20 Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra 

S 2| EP. 14I wanted to talk about today's topic, because not only do I see it come up in my classes with my students, I see it come up with teachers that I've taught in my teacher training. But also, in the yogaverse in general on Facebook groups, etc. But I also think it's sort of rampant in our world in general. So today's topic is: Are You Practicing/Teaching Yin Yoga with your Yang attitude? Now, if Yin and Yang are new concepts to you. I did a whole episode on that which I'll link so that you can listen to this in more depth. (link below)But I want to just go over a little bit about Yin Yang as far as how it relates to Yoga and just kind of to our world.And how we, as teachers can notice when we are teaching our Yin Yoga with a Yang attitude, and then also notice it in our students. And what do we even do about that? Discussing all of these things in theory isn't super helpful. If we don't have a solution or a plan of what we can do to change that.Also mentioned In this Episode: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Full Show Notes https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/yin-yoga-podcast/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra 

S 2| EP. 13What we are talking about in this episode is what in Yin Yoga is known as the Rebound.Due to Yin Yoga’s ability to affect the fascia of the body, coming out of a Yin shape can be quite a different feeling than a more active movement.based practice. Therefore, the urge to moan and groan, to move slowly and mindfully, is normal and, in fact, a good sign.Some teachers tend to skip over the rest between Yin Shapes when they teach Yin. Or they coach movement in between poses or another pose in between yin shapes.Which—in my opinion—is a mistake for a few reasons.The rests in a Yin practice are where Yin yoga’s quiet superpowers become the most apparent (effects on the fascia). When we move too quickly from one pose to the next, we can miss the feeling of the resonance of the Yin shapes.Also, culturally in our daily lives, we are always rushing from one thing to the next, so taking the time to notice and honour the space between no longer and not yet, and the effect that slowing down has on the nervous system, is amuch-needed gift.As Yoga teachers, allowing time and Space for the rebound is an important part of holding Brave Space for our students.Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Full Show Notes https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/yin-yoga-podcast/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra