If you are anything like me, you probably tell yourself you need to stretch more, go to yoga and ‘schedule’ time to relax… but over the course of the week, you only manage a few minutes of form rolling, a quick hip stretch and 10 minutes where you sit in silence.

Here is what I love about holidays, nothing. Yes, that’s right. The absolutely permission to do ‘nothing’. Heading to any South-east Asian country, a great yoga shala is never too hard to find in tourist hotspots. Like fellow travellers, finding time to sit on a yoga mat is in abundance. Heading to afternoon Yin in a beach side town of Sri Lanka, was a sharp reminder. I need to do this more often!

Yoga in the MFD timetable is long overdue. Starting next Sunday, MFD will be hosting a 4pm class at Immortal Fitness Studio, Thornbury. Lead by experienced and qualified yoga instructors, this session will be the ultimate way to turn inward and nurture the calm, quiet center within.

This session will be heavily focused on a Yin style of practice, which is about stillness, patience, and self care.

If you are a high energy, on the go personality type, you might find this style of yoga slow, maybe even uneventful! But here are my top 3 reasons why you need a bit on Yin in your life.

1. The ability to restore range of motion

You are made of muscle and connective tissue. Unfortunately injury, habitual posture, aging, lifting weights, repetitive movements and other factors can cause restrictions. Holding poses that gently lengthen the muscles and facia will help the body to open up and release tension. In daily life this will help you move about pain free, unlock energy and decrease your chance of injury or strain.

2. You have to slow down

During Yin classes you are literally forced to stop and slow down which can be an incredibly powerful method to practice presence and mindfulness in the body and mind. This allows us to move into a mediative state, where the mind becomes clearer and more focused. Problem solving will be come easier and you will be more productive in daily life.

3.  It helps to restore your balance of energy

‘Yin’ comes from  yin/yang symbol, which expresses the need perfect balance. If you lift weights, run, operate a business, are a mum, have a hectic job or just have an active lifestyle, you spend a lot of time in a ‘yang’ state which can leave little time to foster the quiet reflection. Yin practice helps to restore this equilibrium and make you feel more whole, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

If you are interested in finding out more contact Ange or alternatively, you can register and purchase a class pass here.