Restorative yoga poses: yinyasa

Restorative yoga poses conjure the image of a resplendent Maharajahs reclining in padmasana on a gigantic cushion surrounded by fan bearers and harpists.

Zoom ahead to 2009.

Thanks to Paul Grilley, we have the terrifically wonderful addition of yin yoga to our repertoire. My favorite extension of this awesome experience is Yinyasa.

It is the marriage of yinyasa and yin. A lot of motion to get the blood flowing, joints warmed and oxygen delivered to the deepest recesses. Then we utilize the heat to transform the fascia and ligaments, allowing them to bask in the heat and to release the stored energy.

A frog as pictured below is a common pose used during classes as it opens the hips dramatically.

She is an artist, a skilled practitioner who lives her art and conveys her passion and energy into each class.

She begins with a very soothing environment, a candle is lit, the room is warm and dark.

We settle in, with our mats facing the wall, about 2 feet away. We begin in supta baddha konasana, the reclining cobblers posture with a block either between or under the feet. About five minutes here and the hips begin to loosen and relax.

We slowly flow through a few more gentle postures, eventually ending up in a full slow vinyasa flow.

We remained in the flow for about 20 to 30 minutes. We entered into the yin posture portion of class and slipped into a nice hamstring stretch.

Her adjustments are amazing, the music is soothing and the posture selection nicely varied.

After a few more yin postures, it was time for shavasana. I felt very relaxed and my hips were so open. I actually still feel the intensity of the class (12 hours later).

Here is the interview with Corinne.

When and where was your first yin/ yinyasa experience?

With a FANTASTIC yoga teacher named Debbie, at the (Jonny Kest) Center for Yoga, Michigan, about 2,5 years ago.

What is your favorite style of yoga?

I like both Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga very much. Both for different reasons. Yinyasa might be the one I like the most though - as it represents, at least for me, the perfect combination of "hard and soft", "fast and slow" & "fun and work". This the style that takes me very deep inside.

Besides yoga teacher training, what in your background experiences contribute to your obvious love of yoga?

I started yoga about 11 years ago, in Germany. My teacher there was really involved in the ancient "medical" aspects of the discipline (Ayurveda). How to move the prana (life force, energy) within the body to heal etc... This is what really took me into Yoga in general: Learn how to control mind and body through breathing exercises and bodily movements, to eventually connect deep within and ignite healing processes. It is fascinating - I think. You can do it all by yourself, without having someone even touching you. Also, some relationships in my previous (back in Europe) and actual (American) life just make this love everyday a little bit bigger.

In you opinion, what characteristics make up a great yoga student?

"Continuity of practice", for sure !! Never give up, stay with it. Come back to it everyday. And also, see Yoga in your daily life. If you are able to find a way to apply all what you've learned on your mat (from your teacher AND from yourself), then you are for sure a great yoga student :)

Who or what is a major source of motivation/inspiration for you?

I have some great teachers around me who are a tremendous source of inspiration, of course.But the students themselves might be THE greatest source. When you realize how much they gain from their practice, this is the best motivation ever - a big relaxed smile at the end of a class is really motivating for a teacher!

What do you hope people take away from their class experiences?

Health, peace, love towards others AND themselves & hope.

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