A few weeks ago a teacher friend of mine sent a DM,“help, Yin is getting boring. How can I make it more exciting?!”
Yin Yoga isn’t about sparkle, it’s about stillness.
Yin was never meant to entertain. It does not consist of power peak poses or unique transitions. Everything about Yin Yoga is the exact opposite of our busy, rush, instant gratification lifestyle.
Yin is: dark, quiet, slow, still, introspective, quiet, forward folding, cool, winter, female, passive.
Your Yin class offers a break from our fight or flight day-to-day grind. To make Yin flashy … when would we ever find the balance?
Our classes offer that balance! We don’t want to make Yin just like everything else. Yin is the break we all need. It is the reset button we crave.
I have been teaching Yin for 4 years. I’ve taught the same thing over and over again. Repetition is not bad. It’s necessary. However, I have discovered a few different ways to offer Yin so I don’t loose my mind.
Upgrade Your Yin Yoga Class
If Yin is dragging, the feeling of adding some razzle dazzle can become overwhelming. Don’t forget, you’re not an entertainer. You’re a yoga teacher.
Let students sit in silence rather than trying to entertain them. You can upgrade your Yin class without giving into yang poses or some non-yin options.
1. Incorporate meridians and chat about emotions our organs hold onto.
2. Adding acupressure points for your meridian theme is fun.
3. Instead of starting in a seat or on your back, drop it down to Crocodile Pose or Child’s Pose.
4. Incorporate straps into the practice for deeper options.
5. Add twists to Firelog, Shoeslace, & Dragonfly poses.
6. Lead a Dragon “sequence”: Baby Dragon, Winged Dragon, Fire Breathing Dragon, and Dragon Split.
7. Up your hold time. If your class has been holding poses for 3 minutes go to 4 minutes.
8. Start with breath work, pause for more in the middle of class, and finish with breath work. I prefer Viloma & Kumbhaka Breath Retention. Or start class with Golden Seed breath work.
9. Smaller classes can turn around and become Wall Yin – one of my favorite classes to teach!
10. Add a Body Scan meditation before your first pose or a Gratitude Meditation at the end of class.
11. Stop avoiding poses you personally do not enjoy. It’s not your class. Demo then hop out. Full saddle is a bummer for my knees, I have to remind myself to add it.
12. Embrace silence. If you’re filling the space with words, try offering a silent Yin class.
If you’re feeling drained, you might consider another Yin training. 25hrs is enough to teach a Yin class, but not enough to sustain a Yin class for years upon years. Dip your toes into another training.
I never thought I’d take 125 hours, but each one has been wonderfully different. They have added such lovely content to my Yin class. My favorite trainings have been: Advanced Yin Journey Through the Meridians with OnlineYogaSchool and Devi Daly 50hr Yin Training.
You might want to take some time and ask yourself – are your students bored with Yin, or is it just you? Do you need to switch it up and teach a new format? Do you have too much Yin in your own life and you’re starting to feel melancholy or lethargic? Too much Yin Yoga is not balanced.
Yin Yoga Isn’t Supposed to be Exciting
You might need to find something else that fits you in this season of life. And that’s okay! I’ve gone from teaching 4 Yin classes every week to teaching just one. Loving Yin one year to wanting to teach another Slow Flow. As teachers, we tell our students to listen to their bodies … are you doing that for yourself? Or are you stretched beyond your edge? Evaluate your schedule, your heart, and your desire to keep teaching Yin.
I challenge you to incorporate one of the ideas above, not all 12! We don’t want to loose your teacher voice. There is a reason your students keep coming back to your classes.
From my mat to yours,
Stef