Understanding the Benefits of Yin Yoga and Breathwork

The role of breathwork and yin yoga in autonomic flexibility

Autonomic flexibility is the ability of our nervous system to restore homeostasis once our fight or flight response has been activated. Improving our autonomic flexibility improves our ability to adapt to changes in the environment.

We sometimes get stuck in our fight or flight state, obscuring our reality with mixed signals of danger, even when we are safe. In breathwork, we intentionally use activating and grounding breathing patterns, improving our ability to rebalance during times of stress.

In yin yoga, we hold poses for 3-5 minutes. targeting deep connective tissue. Each stretch brings our awareness further into the body. We connect with what arises and approach it incrementally with curiosity, compassion, and non-judgement.

Other benefits of this practice

Through consistent practice, we are better able to regulate our emotions by tuning in to the wisdom of our bodies. From this place, we are able respond to the world rather than to react. We work to create an internal state of safety in the body rather than trying to control our external environment.

Other benefits associated with consistent practice include:

• reduced stress and anxiety
• increased ability to focus
• enhanced sense of well-being 
• reduced inflammation
• boosted immune function
• increased stress resilience
• improved joint mobility and fascial release