Unlock That Stiff Back Through Yin Yoga

August 8, 2023

Ouch! There go those twinges down your spine again. But what can you do to stop them recurring? The answer of course is yin yoga – your way to a happier, healthier back that's ready to groove through your golden years.

Yin Yoga targets the deep connective tissues, the ligaments, the tendons and the fascia, helping release those tight spots in your back that can cramp your style – literally.

By holding poses for longer periods you're giving your spine the stretch it's been craving. Yin yoga doesn’t just put the flexibility back in your back, it helps iron out those aches from all the years of sitting, lifting or generally overloading your lumbar regions.

Add the tranquility Yin Yoga offers and you can give yourself that

mental vacation at the same time.

So try some yin yoga for your back and wave goodbye to stiffness. Then say hello to a spine that's ready to salsa into the sunset.

Check out the 15-minute fix section to boost your back, as well as the sequence for relieving stiff backs and sciatica in my book, Yin Yoga 50+.

Newer Post >

Is yin yoga your way to a younger you?

By Paul • October 26, 2024

How old are you really? Most people will tell you how many years they’ve been alive. But what if your biological functions – your respiratory system, muscular strength, endurance, etc., showed that you were actually younger (or older) than your chronological age?

Yin yoga and Chinese medicine – the way to good holistic health

By Website Editor • August 22, 2023

In a world where fast-paced routines often rule, there's a synergy between Chinese medicine and the slow-paced healing of yin yoga. The result is pure holistic wellness.

Yin Yoga: Your Way To Happier, Healthier Hips

By Website Editor • August 15, 2023

Hips don’t lie, and as we get older they’ll certainly tell us the truth about our bodies. But hey, they’ve been carrying us through decades of dancing and running, lifting and lazing around – in the wrong position

Frequently Asked Questions

What yin yoga is, why it’s good for you and where it comes from.

What is yin yoga?

Yin yoga is a more passive form of yoga that’s good for our minds as well as our bodies. When we practice yin yoga we use longer held stretches or poses of three minutes or more that allow us to get deeper into our bodies. We target our connective tissues – ligaments, joints, bones, and the fascia rather than stressing our muscles. The result is improved flexibility, better circulation, and less tension.
Why is yin yoga especially good for people over 50?

Yin yoga brings benefits for people of any age, but it is particularly good for people over 50 as it promotes greater range of motion while lowering our blood pressure and regulating our heartbeats, giving us a greater feeling of well-being.
I have arthritis, can I practice yin yoga?

As we get older, our joints and connective tissues tend to fuse together. This can be from repetitive jobs, from sports, or even from sitting for long periods. Often this causes pain and limits your mobility. The gentle stretching of yin yoga strengthens your connective tissues, reducing pain and inflammation. It’s particularly good for conditions like arthritis.

How does yin yoga increase my range of motion?

By holding poses for a longer time in yin yoga you can promote a deep release of your connective tissues, encouraging them to stretch. This helps increase your range of motion, meaning things like cutting your toenails or sitting on your heels become possible once again – maybe after many years of neglect.
Can yin yoga relieve stress?

Yes. Yin yoga stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, the rest-and-digest system. It reduces your heart rate, relaxes your muscles, and lowers your blood pressure.
How did yin yoga originate

Yin yoga started in the 80s by people experimenting with long-held stretches to see the effects on their flexibility.

The founders of yin yoga say its inspiration comes from ancient Chinese Taoist practices of stretching and meditation. That explains why yin yoga targets the physical aspects of stretching while including elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

I’ve been having real problems with my hips for a while. Since practicing yin yoga I’ve noticed that I don’t feel the pain that I did before and I move much more freely.

Anna | Malmö

This Book revolutionaised my life, made me think fitter as well as feel healthier

Brill Reader | The Guardian

This was an easy read and with such informative and easy to follow illusytrations. Fiutting it into my daily routine was simple.. never looked back!

Person Name | Hello Magazine

Join Our Yin Social

Tag #yinyoga50 in your posts for a chance to be featured on our Yin-stagram

Yin yoga 50+ Now available in German. And soon Chinese!

One side a bit more sore than the other? Pop along to yin yoga tomorrow @yogagården 12.00-13.00. All about becoming more symmetrical

Mind in a mess? Why not pop round to yogagården tomorrow for a quick yin yoga session on mentally decluttering. 12-13.00.

Good bye Zell am See for this time. Photos don’t do justice to your splendour.

Sprechen sie Deutsch? Probably the world's best yin yoga book for older people. Now available in German😊. And if you're in Malmö on Wednesday, why not pop along to my yoga class @ YogaGården between 12.00 and 13.00? Theme: Hipster yin.

Time for some autumn yin (if you live in Malmö of course)? I'll be doing sessions @yogagården from next Wednesday 25 Sept. First out is yoga to put the spring back into our backs #yinyoga50

In for yin this autumn? Thinking of doing 5-6 sessions @yogagården starting 25 September - ish: Will include stuff for backs, hipster yin, age-defying yin and more. DM me if you fancy coming.

Back to basics. Especially if your lumbar vertebrae are twinged. https://www.yinyoga50.com/try-the-moves/sphinx-seal

Oh deer. A great hip rotating pose that gives you a gentle rotating twist. The theory goes that it stimulates your fascia, helping you become more flexible.

If more birdies is your thing then try Open Wing.

Sore back? Been on your feet all day? Leg up the wall is great for improving circulation, relaxing if you’re stressed and gently stretching your lower back and hamstrings. Only difficult if you don’t have a wall🤣

If you like to hike but your legs are beginning to protest, try my 15-minute yin yoga fix. It’s in the summer issue of Om Magazine

Picnic yin. About sitting on the floor with your G&T in your hand and not having to fall backwards on your elbows as your back and hamstrings are too tight. I'll do a last session at YogaGården but think it could be fully booked. Reserves welcome. Speaking of book😁