Since launching the cabin in May 2025, I’ve only been offering Slow Flow yoga classes, so I’m excited to let you know that from Thursday 19th February, I’ll be introducing Yin Yoga to the weekly schedule.
A tough act to follow 😬
Some of you had the pleasure of experiencing Yin taught by my sister, Deb, while she was visiting from Laos. She is a very experienced Yin teacher, and I know many of you absolutely loved her classes. Unfortunately for me, this has set the bar extremely high. Like… uncomfortably high! So please be gentle with me as I step into the role of brand-new Yin teacher. I promise I’ll do my best and if you squint your eyes (we look like twins for anyone who didn’t meet her), you can always just pretend it’s Deb. 😀
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin is a slow, meditative style of yoga that works deeply into the connective tissues of the body, such as fascia, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Postures are floor-based and typically held for several minutes, allowing time for the tissues to respond gradually rather than through force or effort.
Yin is not simply holding familiar yoga poses for longer. The shapes are often different, the muscles are largely relaxed, and the emphasis is on stillness, sensation, and ease. The practice is usually supported by props, encouraging the body to soften and settle rather than actively engage. Alongside the physical work, Yin invites quiet attention and awareness, offering space to slow down and turn inward.
The benefits of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga can be deeply supportive for both body and mind. One of its most powerful benefits is the way it helps down-regulate the nervous system, encouraging a shift into the parasympathetic state — often referred to as “rest and digest”.
A regular Yin practice may help to:
- Reduce stress and feelings of overwhelm
- Improve sleep and overall relaxation
- Support joint health and mobility
- Increase body awareness and mindfulness
- Create a greater sense of calm and balance
Yin is particularly beneficial if you’re feeling tense, mentally busy, or in need of rest. It offers a counterbalance to more active forms of movement and to the pace of everyday life.
How is Yin different from Slow Flow?
Although both Slow Flow and Yin are gentle practices, they have very different intentions. Slow Flow involves continuous, mindful movement, linking breath with motion to build warmth, strength, and fluidity in the body. Yin Yoga, by contrast, is all floor-based and largely still. Poses are held for longer periods with minimal muscular engagement, allowing the body to open gradually and the mind to settle. There is no emphasis on movement or sequencing — instead, the practice encourages patience, presence, and rest.
Both styles complement each other beautifully, and Yin can be a wonderful addition if you’re looking to slow down even further and support deeper rest and recovery.
I’m really looking forward to bringing this practice to the cabin, and hope you are excited to give it a go!
Michelle x
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