Yin vs.

Yang Yoga
LEI 3723L
MINDFULNESS & STRESS MANAGEMENT FACILITATION
TECHNIQUES
Yin vs. Yang Yoga
YIN: Cool, dark, still, earthy, wet
YANG: Hot, dry, fire, movement
Yin Yang
Yin Yoga
Practice where you hold poses for 3-5 minutes (or longer)
Sometimes referred to as yoga for the joints
Targets ligaments and joints (rather than muscles and
internal heat)
Stretches and strengthens connective tissues deeper in
body and opens up energy channels
Can be more associated with meditation
Most yin poses target the pelvis, hips, and lower spine
Poses are done mostly sitting or lying down
Being active in a passive pose
Yin Yoga
Frequently practiced with yoga props to help support the
body during the poses
Yang Yoga
Most common form of yoga practiced in the West
Associated with sequencing, movement and creating heat
Many different styles of yang yoga (Ashtanga, Bikram,
Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa)
Typically move through a series of asanas
Yin vs. Yang Yoga
YIN STILLNESS (targeting bones, ligament, and fascia)
YANG MOVEMENT (targeting organs, tissues and muscles)

*Keep in mind that 1mm past stretching is tearing

Some poses can be classified as more yin or yang

Forward Bends = yin
Backbends = yang
Inversions = yin
Standing = yang