Teaching My First Yin Class – Lesson Plan Included

Some time ago I did a blog post on Yin Yoga, Why Yin is “In” – Yoga to Keep Us Elastic Instead of Plastic.  Since, many have expressed interest in knowing more,  below is information on the first Yin class I taught including a breakdown of the lesson.  Take some times to slow down and give this lesson a try.  Just remember to hold the poses a minimum of 3 minutes up to 7 minutes. If you are not familiar with Yin or are new to the yoga practice please check with your physician before beginning any new exercise program and utilize the proper resource for proper pose alignment and modifications.

Once completing my Yin Yoga training, I was eager to teach my first Yin Yoga class.  The training was a whirlwind of information so I took some time to do my reading and research in preparation.  After learning so much about Yin Yoga, I explained the practice of Yin Yoga and how we could all benefit from it to anyone that would listen.  People were fascinated.  My plan was to engage some students for my class.  I was pleasantly surprised how many people were interested in learning and experiencing more. From the first time I tried it, I loved Yin Yoga but I worried that many would have reservations about something that requires you to slow down and be still for long periods of time. As a result, I planned for my first class to be short, lasting only an hour with each poses held for not longer than 3 minutes. The class was taught on my patio, labeled my “Yoga Den” by an attendee.

Several enthusiastic friends joined me for the practice. A couple attendees have started their own regular yoga practice since I began teaching.  Another was new to Yoga but eager to try it. Only one had any experience with Yin. The class started out with me just giving a brief overview of the practice, pointing out that Yin Yoga works the connective tissue rather than the muscles. The goal is to disengage your muscles and hold long, steady, passive poses. I went on to explain the need to balance your Yin and Yang practices, Yin being the dark, cool, feminine side and Yang being the light, hot, and masculine side. The class plan, with a few personal modifications’ derived from Bernie Clark’s, “The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga”, An Easy Beginner’s Flow. Before the class began I prepared myself, reading through each poses description to be sure I recalled any alternate poses and / or contraindications. I had blocks, blanket, and pillows (in lieu of bolsters) available for anyone who would benefit from props. The sequence is shown below.

Pranayama (Breath work) – Sami Vritti Pranayama – Inhale for 4 count  *Pause for 1 count * Exhale for 4 count * Pause for 1 count. Increase as comfortable. Do this for roughly 5 minutes prior to you begining the practice.

• Butterfly –
  • Counter Poses – Windshield Wiper Twists
• Thread the Needle –
  • Counter Poses – Windshield Wiper Twists
• Straddles – Right Leg, Middle and Left Leg –
  • Counter Poses – Place hands behind you and fold back into a slight seated back bend
• Child’s Pose
• Sphinx –
  • Counter Pose Child’s Pose
• Half Shoelaces – Right leg, Left Leg
  • Counter Pose – Windshield Wiper Twists
• Supported Bridge
  • Counter Pose – Happy Baby
• Reclined Twists – Right side/ Left side –
  • Counter Pose – Knees to Chest
• Savasana
• Finishing Meditation

I offered props and modifications where applicable.  Students happily used when they felt necessary. An example was in half shoelace, the modification to have one leg out straight worked well for one student. For another student, having a blanket under him while seated helped with several poses. There was a brief discussion after the class about everyone’s experience. My newbie liked it and was surprised at how she was always able to bring her body into new positions with little effort, assuring me she only went to where she felt most comfortable. One student who also practices, “Hot Yin” said the class was very much like what he practiced only without the heat.  Another student called the next day to say she felt the practice was easy and relaxing but was surprised to feel its affects the next day, discovering these were areas she was not currently working. Everyone was excited to keep learning and bring a little more balance through the practice of Yin Yoga.

What do you think about Yin?  What are you favorite poses?  If you had a Yang Yoga practice, would adding a Yin practice help with balance?  We would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.