My Journey with Yin Yoga: A Personal Experience
““Great wisdom is the sole eye of primordial consciousness, for just by opening it, you will truly perceive the nature of existence, of ultimate reality, suchness.””
Have you ever found a sense of home while resting in awareness or in the practice of undoing? It was on the journey of an ‘inner expedition’ that I found Yin Yoga. In this blog, I will share my journey with Yin, from an initial need, to the profound impact that it has had on my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Initial Encounter & Motivation
It was through my Buddhist connection with the second Buddha, Padmasambhava, and the Indian yogi and mystic, Dudjom Lingpa, that I first recognised the benefit and beauty of Yin. Yoga has been a welcome gift as I explore Tibetan Vajrayana and Nyingma Dzogchen view.
My journey began during a two-month group retreat in Italy, followed by a two-month solo retreat in Spain. During these retreats, I spent long periods meditating and contemplating sacred texts, which, without a grounded self-care toolkit, eventually led to physical stress and burnout in my heart mind. I began reflecting on asana yoga and it was clear that the fast pace of Ashtanga would not align with the subtle realms I was exploring during my retreat. I then remembered a yoga style I had tried a couple of times called yin yoga, which was to become the perfect companion for my meditation retreat.
Personal Experiences & Challenges
Before long Yin had become an essential support as I integrated my Buddhist practices. It helped me harness the wild horse of my mind and calm my nervous system. Even during periods of heavy, sluggish mental health, Yin felt like a somatic embrace. It guided me in slowing down, releasing old emotional baggage, and undoing unhelpful social programming. I find Yin works harmoniously alongside a yang practice, be it yoga, boxing or whatever takes one's fancy.
My journey with Yin has been profoundly transformative, enriching both my physical and mental state of being, while supporting my Buddhist practices and aspirations. This method has become an indispensable part of my life, a practice I wish to deepen not just for the Kasia of today, but also for the future Kasia—the elder who will increasingly rely on her inner world, seeking connection and patience in an aging form. For anyone looking to do less and be more, I recommend starting on the floor in a Yin position, holding your awareness there, and seeing where the journey takes you.
- Written by Kasia Bishop
Interested in exploring Yin deeper?
Join us at Sow & Root with TJ Maher from YUJMU (Yin Yoga, Training & Immersions) and submerge yourself into a 3-day Yin Yoga Training, exploring the foundarional principles of this “life-changing” practice.
You will immerse yourself in student-centered learing with daily lectures, guided practices, and asana labs, each designed to gain confidence to teach with precision and care.
Whether you’re new to Yin, looking to deepen your practice, or just indulge in the Yin Universe, this journey isn’t simply about learning poses - it’s about cultivating a teaching approach that honours each student’s unique experience.