Product Description

How to balance Yoga practice. As Yoga matures, this is a new approach to balance physical and mental health, for serious students and beginners. All yoga forms emphasising either muscle (Yang) or connective (Yin) tissue. Today, all popular Yoga forms are Yang-muscular. Yin Yoga is unknown, but vital, as a balanced Yoga practice has many benefits, including better preparation for meditation. Yin Yoga focuses upon connective tissue, which does not stretch or respond to brief stresses as muscle will, so Yin postures are held a long time, with the muscles relaxed. Acupuncture meridians are also in connective tissues and Yin Yoga is specifically designed to stimulate them. Divided into two sections, the second part of the book deals with chakras, breathing exercises and meditation, and is fully illustrated with clear, concise descriptions of Yoga postures.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #144375 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .39" h x .39" w x .39" l, .66 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 136 pages

About the Author
Paul Grilley

Customer Reviews

Yin Yoga A quiet practice
This slim volume (118 pages) by Paul Grilley has much of interest for yoga practitioners. It has only 6 chapters and a bibliography, which has not just the titles of references but also, usefully, a brief description of what's to be found in each recommended text. The first chapter describes the meridian theory, which hypothesises that the meridians, along which flows the vital energy known as chi (or prana in yogic psychic physiology) have been identified as the matrix of connective tissue that surrounds every structure in the body. The author explains that Yin yoga is the practice of yoga postures that involve staying in each posture for several minutes, in order to allow slow stretching of the vital (yin) connective tissue structures, mainly the ligaments and tendons. Muscles should be relaxed during this holding. More active (yang) postures include those that are performed more dynamically, as in Power Yoga, or are more intrinsically yang such as back bends. The book goes on to give detailed descriptions of 23 postures, and gives four suggested routines. The final three chapters cover sitting, chakras, and the breath, mind and meditation. A tall order indeed in less than 30 pages. Overall the book gives much food for thought. In my view it is not really suitable for beginners, the suggested routines being very interesting but quite challenging, with little in the way of warm up. And more experienced practitioners may well find themselves (as I did) writing in the more usual names for the postures. For example, halasana the plough is called snail pose; and savasana the relaxation pose is called pentacle. For these reasons although I continue to use the book I have only given it 4 stars. Paul Grilley's DVD on Anatomy for Yoga is linked with this book and is fascinating, definitely 5 stars. Readers may also find "Acu-Yoga" by Michael Reed Gach of interest, as it explores the links between yoga and acupressure in more depth.

An inspired read for anyone who's interested in yoga
Paul Grilley's book contains all you need to know to try out this wonderful style of yoga at home. It's a great mix of practical instruction and theory - yoga teachers interested in Yin Yoga will find it a useful teaching aid while students who've been practicing for some time will find the approach outlined in this book a great way to shake up their practice and try something new.
The writing style is non-fussy throughout with helpful diagrams to explain the anatomy and theory where necessary. There are photos to accompany each posture and the variations are included too so you can take a look and make sure you've got it right. What's really useful is the bibliography where the author credits all the reading and reasearch that inspired him to write the book - great if, like me, you want to know more! Perhaps my favourite thing about this book is the author's tone - it's confident and encouraging throughout, like any good yoga teacher should be!
As a teacher, I would have found a section on contraindications included but aside from that, I can honestly say this is one of the most useful, informative and inspiring yoga books I have found.

possibly the worst yoga book I have ever bought
and I have a fairly extensive collection... Dull uninspiring pictures, all fairly insipid looking. The whole principle of the book I find questionable. What's wrong with just 'restorative' yoga or 'easy' yoga - which is what is basically yin yoga all about. I can get more information on a good restorative yoga sequence by looking up old 'yoga journal' magazines. Dont waste your money on this book if you want to buy something worth keeping get, Moving into Stillness by Erich Schiffman