yin yoga

The workshop last weekend was on partner yoga and yin yoga. I liked both of these far more than I thought I would. Partner yoga involved much hilarity, to be sure. I noted in one pose (cat/cow with someone draped over your back) I felt like I was playing horsie, and the girl I was partnered with (a demure southern girl) unexpectedly slapped my ass and said "giddyup!" which caused our entire corner of the room to laugh uncontrollably for about five minutes. While we were all still in the pose. ;-)

But the highlight of the weekend for me was yin yoga. It looks deceptively easy- you get into standard yoga poses, you use as many props as you need to truly relax in the pose, and then you surrender to the pose. And hold it. For up to five minutes a side. Oof. As much an exercise in meditation, really, as a yoga practice. But the stretch goes deep- active poses, for the most part, target the surface muscles. Yin yoga targets the deep connective tissue, the deep mind. And it's powerful- if you work with your edge while in the pose, you will definitely feel it the next day. *Finally* I've found something that will open up those deep hip flexors that are tight for me. I'm really enthused.