The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga : the Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga

This second edition of the best selling The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga provides an in-depth look at the philosophy and practice of Yin Yoga with illustrated sections on how to practice Yin Yoga, including detailed descriptions and photographs of over 30 Yin Yoga asanas. This is an updated version of the book that has become the go-to resource for Yin Yoga teachers all over the world and has been required reading in many teacher training programs. All forms of yoga can provide benefits physically, emotionally, and mentally, however Yin Yoga works the deeper levels of the body/heart/mind: the yin tissues of fascia, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones, as well as the energetic channels of the meridians, nerves and blood system. One big difference noticed by students of Yin Yoga is the long-held, passive nature of the posture, which gives time for a deeper journey to unfold, a journey into the meditative aspects of yoga, a bridge to living life mindfully. The second edition includes—a more functional approach to the practice of yoga, emphasizing the concept of targeted areas; the importance of stress in reducing fragility and building antifragility; understanding the nature of creep and the importance of counterposes, with a revised list of effective counterpostures; many new photographs of the postures and their variations for different body types; a more current overview of the physiology of tissues and the energy body reflecting new understanding in the science of fascia and cellular signaling; and many other enhancements. As in the first edition, the book presents comprehensive information on how to do the practice, including how to get into and out of the pose, contraindications and warnings for those who may have trouble with particular aspects of the posture, and other important information. Why we do the practice is discussed by looking at its benefits in three main sections: the physiological, energetic and mental/emotional benefits. Bernie Clark's The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga provides an in-depth look at the philosophy and practice of Yin Yoga with illustrated sections on how to practice Yin Yoga, including detailed descriptions and photographs of over 30 Yin Yoga asanas. This is an updated version of the book that has become the go-to resource for Yin Yoga teachers all over the world and has been required reading in many teacher training programs. All forms of yoga can provide benefits physically, emotionally, and mentally, however Yin Yoga works the deeper levels of the body/heart/mind: the yin tissues of fascia, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones, as well as the energetic channels of the meridians, nerves and blood system. One big difference noticed by students of Yin Yoga is the long-held, passive nature of the posture, which gives time for a deeper journey to unfold, a journey into the meditative aspects of yoga, a bridge to living life mindfully. The second edition includes-a more functional approach to the practice of yoga, emphasizing the concept of targeted areas; the importance of stress in reducing fragility and building antifragility; understanding the nature of creep and the importance of counter poses, with a revised list of effective counter postures; many new photographs of the postures and their variations for different body types; a more current overview of the physiology of tissues and the energy body reflecting new understanding in the science of fascia and cellular signaling; and many other enhancements. As in the first edition, the book presents comprehensive information on how to do the practice, including how to get into and out of the pose, contraindications and warnings for those who may have trouble with particular aspects of the posture, and other important information. Why we do the practice is discussed by looking at its benefits in three main sections: the physiological, energetic and mental/emotional benefits Acknowledgments Foreword Preface to the Second Edition Contents Preface to the First Edition Introduction Chapter 1 - Yin Yoga Defined Yin and Yang Yin Tissues and Yang Tissues Original Yin Daoism Chapter 2 - The Practice of Yin Yoga How to Practice Yin Yoga Functional Yoga The Three Tattvas of Yin Yoga Practice Beginning the Practice Flowing Ending the Practice Chapter 3 - Yin Yoga Asanas The Asanas Anahatasana Ankle Stretch Bananasana Bridge Butterfly Half-Butterfly Cat Pulling Its Tail Caterpillar Child’s Pose Dangling Deer Dragon Frog Happy Baby Reclining Twists Saddle Shoelace Snail Sphinx and Seal Square Squat Straddle Swan and Sleeping Swan Toe Squat Shavasana Yin Yoga Poses for the Upper Body Chapter 4 - Yin Yoga Flows Chapter 5 - Special Situations Hip and Knee Issues Hip Replacement Low Back Disorders Having Babies Chapter 6 - The Physical Benefits Stressing Our Tissues Our Tissues The Limits of Flexibility Fascia The Myofascia–Tendon Complex The Deep Fascia Connective Tissues Joints Collagen, Creep and Counterposes Ground Substances and Hydration Inflammation Other Physiological Benefits of Yin Yoga Summary Chapter 7 - The Energetic Benefits A Yogic View A Daoist View The Meridians A Western View Meridians Revisited Summary of Energetic Benefits Chapter 8 - The Heart and Mind Benefits The Benefits of Mindfulness Paying Attention Dukkha Pathing Watering Flowers Mindfulness Adverse Reactions to Mindfulness—A Warning! Summary of Heart and Mind Benefits Selected Bliography Other Books By Bernie Clark About the Author