Yin Yoga: Your Way To Happier, Healthier Hips

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.

Yin Yoga, with its long-held stretches, is like a soothing symphony for your joints. Yin Yoga's slow-paced poses act as a gentle massage for your hip sockets, increasing flexibility and easing stiffness.

Here are five Yin Yoga poses that’ll bring back that hip happiness you might have missed:

Butterfly Pose: Bring your feet together and let your knees drop open. You’ll feel the pressure just dropping away from your hips.
Dragon Pose: Stretch one leg back, sinking into the hip of the extended leg. You'll feel the stretch in the front of the hip.
Saddle Pose: This can be a bit of a challenge but stick with it. Kneel down and lean back onto your elbows, opening up the front of your hips.
Sleeping Swan Pose: Fold one leg in front of you and extend the other behind you. Your hips will thank you as you find that sweet stretch.
Dragonfly (Straddle) Pose: Sit down, spread your legs wide, and fold forward. This is a great pose for hip mobility.
It’s time to go with the yin yoga flow. Embrace the slow, sink into the stretch, and let your hips bask in the glory of well-deserved relaxation.

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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

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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😁