Yin Yoga & Anatomy Workshop at Yoga Sky Berlin
(in German)

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” (Confucius)

Yin yoga is one of the calmest and most relaxing forms of yoga in the world, consisting of a series of passive poses of the body.

By means of long-held stretches (3–5 minutes) without muscle tension, we focus on the deep connective, fascial and ligamental tissues – stimulating, strengthening and stretching the tissues.

We mobilise the joints, and stimulate and calm the nervous system, thereby reducing stress and encouraging regeneration.

During the practice we temporarily slow down the flow of Chi energy, enabling the revitalising energy to accumulate and then flow more freely on conclusion of the practice.

Indeed for days after a yin yoga practice, we’ll feel blissfully relaxed and recharged.

Depending on the length of the workshop, either all or only certain themes of Yin Yoga and Anatomy theory – as listed below – will be discussed.
Depending on the length of the workshop, either all or only a selection of Yin Yoga and Anatomy listed below will be practised.

Both workshops are suitable for yoga teachers and also yoga students wishing to learn more about yin yoga and yoga anatomy.

Workshop I - Yin Yoga

Theory:

• What is yin yoga?
• What is yang yoga?
• What are the advantages of each kind of yoga?
• How do they complement each other?
• What is tension and what is compression?
• What is the function of our connective tissue/fascia in this practice?
• Stress and back pain, and yin yoga as a “therapeutic touch”

Practice:

• Yin yoga class /classes (Paul Grilley style)
  Focus: hip opener or back class

Course instructor: Markus Henning Giess

Workshop II - Yoga Anatomy

Theory:

• Skeletal variation
• Function/aesthetics
• Compression and tension
• Analysis of a yoga pose

Practice:

Skeletal variation tests and practical consequences for yang yoga asanas and assists – such as lotus, shoulder stand, pigeon, down dog, warrior, etc.

We’ll analyse the following asanas in detail:

• Lotus position        - external rotation of the hip joint
• Reclining hero       -  internal rotation of the hip joint
• Shoulderstand       - neck, shoulder, collarbone and shoulder blade
• Headstand             - collarbone and shoulder blade

We'll discuss the following issues:

• What restrictions does my individual bone structure impose on me?
• How different is it from other people’s bone structure?
• Will I or my students ever manage to get into the lotus position or achieve a “perfect” pigeon, etc?
• Where are the areas of compression and tension within my individual bone structure? How do I deal with it?
• How can I stretch and stimulate the tissues, when compression is constricting me?
• What is the physical function of a yoga pose?
   

Course Instructor: Markus Henning Giess