A Tale of Two Yogas - Yin Yoga vs Tantric Yin Yoga
If you've ever experienced the transformative power of traditional Yin Yoga, get ready to embark on an even deeper journey with Tantric Yin Yoga. While both practices share similarities in their approach, Tantric Yin stays true to the Sanskrit lineage of yoga and offers a unique weaving of ancient Sanskrit teachings to enrich your yoga experience. In this article, we'll explore the difference between Tantric Yin and traditional Yin Yoga and delve into what you can expect from a Tantric Yin class.
Yoga has existed for hundreds of years and is rooted in the ancient Vedic teachings and guided by the wisdom of Tantras and Sutras. In the 1990’s, some teachers saw an opportunity to blend the practice of yoga asanas with traditional Chinese medicine and the practice we now know as Yin Yoga was born. Yin Yoga is based on Daoist theory and the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. It is a practice that focuses on passive, long-held poses to target the deep connective tissues of the body. Whilst the physical practice and intention is very similar to Yin Yoga, Tantric Yin Yoga remains true to the rich Sanskrit beginnings of yoga. Tantra is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘to weave’ and it offers tools to infuse our ordinary life with spiritual insights. Yoga asanas are just one aspect of tantra teachings, it also incorporates meditation, pranayama (breathwork), chanting, and mudras (symbolic hand gestures) to create a holistic and transformative experience.
Both Daoist and Tantric philosophies embrace the concept of dualism, symbolised as Yin and Yang in Daoism and Shiva and Shakti in Tantra. These dualistic forces represent the masculine and feminine qualities present in everything. Yang/Shiva embodies power, energy, activity, heat, and light, while Yin/Shakti represents receptivity, softness, coolness, quietness, and stillness. In our fast-paced, yang-dominated lives, a practice like Tantric Yin allows us to balance these opposing energies and cultivate the lunar qualities we often overlook.
Stepping into a Tantric Yin class, you'll encounter the art of stillness, patience, and observation, just like in traditional Yin. The longer-held poses give your nervous system and mind a chance to rebalance and relax, helping you find deeper levels of peace and inner harmony.
However, the main difference between a Yin and Tantric Yin practice lies in the subtle integration of rhythmic pulsations before settling into stillness. Tantra teaches that Prana, our life force energy, moves in waves or pulsations. In Tantric Yin, we apply this wisdom to support energy flow, allowing our bodies to settle more effortlessly into the deep stretches. These small rhythmic pulsations become an essential part of the practice, guiding you into a profound experience of self-awareness and spiritual connection.
During a Tantric Yin class, you can expect a slow-paced, grounded practice that invites you to savour each moment. The longer-held stretches grant you the time and space to explore the sensations in your body and observe the inner dialogue that arises. It's an opportunity to surrender, receive, and truly tune into what's happening within.
If you're ready to dive into the depths of your being and witness the magic that unfolds when you balance the powerful Yang/Shiva and Yin/Shakti forces within you, come and join us for one of our spectacular Tantric Yin classes. Cultivate the lunar qualities that will enrich your life on and off the mat.