Yin Yoga Vs Restorative Yoga

When you look down the class schedule of any yoga studio you will more than likely come across a Yin or Restorative class, but what would you say if you came across a studio schedule with both classes - aren’t they the same thing?

In terms of both styles they have similarities, both are very different from pretty much all other styles of Yoga which involve standing postures, and more dynamic movement, whereas these two styles involve in the main only seated poses and the poses are held for much longer periods of time than you would find in any other style.

Both practices can include props, although with a traditional Yin practice this is less so. Both can be calming and cooling. However they do both have very different lineages and theories, but most importantly different intentions for the student practicing.

The biggest difference you will find between a Yin and Restorative practice, is that in a Yin class, it’s about finding that equilibrium in a posture, where it doesn’t feel too intense but neither does it feel too gentle. In a Restorative class you’re seeking more softness in the posture using props to support.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is a style of Taoist Yoga which originates from China.

Yin is based on concepts of Chinese medicine and when performing postures, it’s about shifting energy. In Yin the poses are used to stimulate particular meridians, or subtle channels, as understood in traditional Chinese medicine. Similar to stimulating the Nadi channels in Hatha Yoga.

Yin Yoga works ligaments, joints, bones and into the deep connective tissue through an active kind of pressure. It increases circulation, flexibility and mobility. It’s about finding a level of intensity within the posture that works for you.

With Yin postures you may be asked to hold a posture anywhere from two to five minutes.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga is based on the teachings of B.K.S Iyengar born in Mysore, India.

In a Restorative Yoga class you should generally be offered blocks, straps, bolsters - all the props you can think of to ensure you are as comfortable within the posture as you can be.

It’s a perfect practice for someone who is perhaps just starting out with yoga, someone who needs to create time to rest, or someone recovering from an injury or illness.

It should be about working to consciously calm and bring back some balance to your parasympathetic nervous system.

The poses are gentle and having props means the student is encouraged to really soften and lengthen into the support of them, and just relax the body completely, holding zero tension - restoring and renewing the body.

You will be holding postures anywhere from two to twenty minutes - therefore in a Restorative Class you may only practice maybe three to four postures.

Yin and Restorative Yoga Practice

Both practices take a lot of practice - more than you might initially think. Keeping still is easy right? Oh so wrong my friend!

The stillness you will find through a Yin or Restorative practice can encourage your mind to work on overdrive and you start to notice tiny things. During both classes you will find that coming to a place of stillness in the body as well as the mind can actually be a much stronger practice than you perhaos first thought.

In a more dynamic and physically demanding class your mind is focussed on moving into each posture alongside each breath, that mental stillness can therefore sometimes actually be achieved sooner, and sometimes without even realising.

When you come into a posture you’re going to sit in for up to five minutes let's say, with no movement, the mind has far more space to wonder about in. It takes a lot of time and practice to be able to turn off unnecessary thoughts and focus on what will serve you during your practice - which is ultimately your breath.

Yin Yoga Postures

A lot of the postures are the same, however some may have different names. For example you may do Pigeon Pose in both classes, but in a Yin Yoga class this would be called Swan Pose. The reason postures were given different names was so students were reminded that although the pose is the same, they should be practicing with a different intention and intensity.

In a more dynamic class you would be looking to engage muscles, whereas in a less dynamic class like Restorative or Yin Yoga, you’re looking to soften the muscles and really relax into the posture.

Want to know more?

If this blog has peaked your interest, take a look over the courses section of our website for our 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, 300hr Yoga Teacher Training or 500hr Yoga Teacher Training to learn about the many different styles of teaching, or if you’re already a 200hr qualified teacher perhaps one of our CPD courses could be of interest, we have one specifically for Yin Teacher Training.