Yinspiration for your Spring Practice
#sorrynotsorry, but seriously folks: Yin is IN
It may not be warm, but the sun is out and the general Parisian mood has gone from “je râle donc je suis” to something closer to “j’peux pas, j’ai terrasse.”
This winter felt particularly long and gray and cold. For the first time in years, I went back to layering like a New Yorker: tights, socks, baselayer, shirt on top then sweater, silk scarf or cotton bandana, jean jacket, heavy wool coat, wool scarf, beanie and gloves. I had more layers than an onion because as my friend Lalita once said, “There’s no such thing as being cold. There’s only such a thing as being improperly dressed.” I learned that it’s better to be too hot and have the ability to remove items of clothing than it is to not have enough on and freeze your balls off (as another one of my favorite New Yorkers once said.)
And now the layers are coming off one by one, and it feels truly like shedding the last frigid plates of a winter carapace.
I’m with the Yin crowd
Before jumping headlong into backbends and arm balances, spend some time easing into this new season. How? With time spent in Yin Yoga poses which are held for three to five minutes and promote release in your muscles, joints and connective tissues. By surrendering to sensation rather than focusing on action, Yin Yoga slowly and progressively opens pathways in your body and mind. Yoga for physical health, yoga for mental health.
After the jump: 4 upcoming Yin Yoga workshops and a class card deal that encapsulates the French adage “Après l’effort, le réconfort.”
SPRING FOR YIN: YOGA WORKSHOPS FOR A NEW SEASON
Kick off your weekend with a Friday night Yin workshop that’ll take you on a slow, meditative trip through long-held poses and mindful breathing. You’ll leave with muscles unclenched, connective tissue lengthened, joints lubricated, mind relaxed and open. Friday March 28th, 2025. 19:15-20:45. Reserve here.
Join Sandrine Martin for a Yin Yoga & Myofascial Release session during which you’ll learn to unknot accumulated tension through movements that explore the mysofascial spirals in your body. Workshop is suitable for beginners and experienced yogis alike. Saturday March 29st, 2025. 15h-17h30. Reserve here.
Recalibrate your yoga for Spring with Yin Yoga et Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise. In this two-hour workshop, you’ll focus on poses that cleanse and stimulate your your liver and gall bladder to create the ideal conditions for renewal. Sunday March 30th, 2025. 14h30-16h30. Reserve here.
Here’s another workshop that highlights the synergy between Yin Yoga and myofascial release! The combined practice can alleviate muscular tightness, improve blood and lymph circulation, and promote relaxation in the body and mind. Sunday April 6th, 2025. 15h-17h. Reserve here.
I love Baba Yoga Social Club’s sense of humor (I need a t-shirt with that logo!) and of course their Spring “Pack Babarista” which is a great deal: 3 yoga classes *plus* a latte for 45€. Details here.
And in case you missed it:
The entire Do Yoga in Paris archive is now accessible to everyone. Enjoy!