YIN YOGA
Release tension and let yourself go in this meditative and restorative form of yoga…
~ target deep connective tissues ~
~ counter the busy-ness of life ~
~ give yourself permission to rest ~
11:00am every Tuesday
•••
Amrita Yoga Studio, Dingley Village
•••
11:00am every Tuesday ••• Amrita Yoga Studio, Dingley Village •••
This class is for you if:
You need time for yourself outside of your hectic schedule
You don’t want a physically demanding yoga class
You DO want to learn more about what makes you… YOU
Yoga has been recommended to you by a medical professional
You are recovering from illness, injury, surgery, or are post-partum
You are managing a chronic condition and/or disability
You’re keen to learn about and explore different forms of yoga
You want to ponder deeper questions about who you are
How is Yin Yoga Different?
edge
stillness
time
Most yoga classes are yang in nature, focused upon movement: of the breath, of the body, of the energy that can be felt as you work muscles, build up heat and stamina, and challenge balance and strength. Yin is the opposite to Yang. It is the yogic practice of stillness and surrender, of letting go of pent-up tension, releasing ruminating thoughts, and offering encouragement for you to explore your deepest self.
Asana (Poses)
In a Yin Yoga practice there are far fewer poses than the usual Yang-style yoga class. That’s because each pose is carefully curated to provide a learning experience for the student. It could be meant to target a particular part of the body for exploration, to learn how to appropriately prop and support oneself in a pose, or to allow for internal sensations and thoughts to arise, among other themes.
Asana in a Yin class follows the Three Core Principles of the student finding the “edge” of tension or sensation in a pose, settling at this edge and becoming still, and holding the pose at this point for an extended period of time. Most Yin asana are held for 3-5 minutes, some more restorative poses (such as Savasana) may be held for 10-20 minutes.
These long holds mean the student gradually releases muscular control, allowing the forces of gravity and their own body weight to place intentional tension upon the deeper connective tissues of the body such as tendon, ligament, joints, bone and fascia.
A skilled teacher will instruct their students on how to safely transition out of a long-held Yin pose and often suggest a neutral alignment for the body (known as a “rebound” pose) so students can witness and reflect upon the after-effects of the previous asana.
Meditation
Being still in a Yin asana for an extended period of time can be a meditative challenge, especially if you are used to being “on the go”. There are many things that can arise when we allow ourselves to be with ourselves. Sensations, thoughts, beliefs, emotions, stories, comparisons…
Often, students have the desire to tame these elements, to push them down or shove them aside in an attempt to “empty the mind like a good yogi”. And yet, these are all part of the practice. The phrase “Know Thyself”, as is often attributed to Socrates, is a key message in meditative practices. Whatever makes itself known is something for you to turn towards with curiosity.
And yet, sometimes we aren’t ready to. That is when attention to the breath can help to anchor you in the present moment, to create somatic (of the body) awareness and find safety and calm.
Many Yin Yoga classes finish with a longer time in Savasana, lying in rest on the floor. This can be a time for the teacher to take the students on a journey of guided meditation, offer a poem or mantra to explore, or provide the experience of Yoga Nidra (yogic “sleep”) for integrating the practice and enabling deep relaxation.
CORE PRINCIPLES OF YIN YOGA:
Find your “edge”
Become still
Hold for time
settle
observe
release
The Details:
WHAT:
A group yoga class that allows time for deep tissue stretching, reflection, and rest
COST:
$26 drop-in price
or buy a Class Pass
WHEN:
11:00am to 12:00pm
every Tuesday morning
LOCATION:
Amrita Yoga Studio
30 Centre Dandenong Road
Dingley Village
What to Expect:
Small class sizes
Means there’s plenty of room for your comfort and personal space, while allowing Tania to mindfully and safely monitor every student
Time to explore
Notice what changes over time for each long-held pose, from physical sensations to the quality of your thoughts
Support with props, walls, & demos
Watch and follow along as Tania demonstrates different ways to prop your body for support in each pose
Permission to let go
When you feel safe, you can surrender. Allow yourself to release (tension, story, breath, tears). It’s all welcome
Discover more about yourself in every session
Acknowledge who you are in the moment and feel intimately connected in body, breath, and mind
Other Yoga Options
Curious about other forms of yoga? Tania is trained and experienced in each of these modalities to offer alternate options to suit your needs, or your mood!
PRIVATE 1:1 or 1:2 SESSIONS
If a private bespoke practice is what you’re seeking, please reach out to Tania at here to arrange a time to chat.
CHAIR YOGA
Take mat yoga to the chair for greater accessibility and support. Remain seated throughout, or use the chair for alignment and balance. Mobilise joints and create movement in your body from a stable and secure seat.
CLASSES COMING AFTER EASTER
GENTLE YOGA
A class where lots of support is provided so students can move and breathe with awareness and care. Foundational poses, concepts, and breathwork form the basis of each themed class, with new poses or variations offered to explore each week. Great for beginners, those returning to yoga after time away, and people managing medical conditions.
HATHA YOGA
The “yoga of force” is a form of yoga that uses somatic practices to create expansion through the body and the breath, increasing fortitude, focus and flexibility over time. This is a great option if you wish to progress beyond Gentle Yoga, want to build stamina and strength, and enjoy challenge.
Meet Your Teacher
Tania is an easy-going middle-aged mum of three witty, vivacious and whimsical youths. She revels in their development and growth, and credits them with her ongoing desire to learn and discover more about her own self, and what “makes others tick”.
Drawn to yoga for a gentle physical practice, Tania was surprised to realise that yoga was a pathway to knowing, an opportunity to feel real. Yoga was a teacher that constantly challenged her… and still does to this day.
With over 13 years of practice, 1600+ hours of teaching experience and many, many more hours spent in research and further education, Tania interweaves traditional yoga practices with modern somatic therapies, backed by her knowledge of psychology, physiology and nutrition, and her ongoing passion to help and support others as they, too, explore self development along this bumpy, winding, and unknown path we call life.
Tania loves the bush and the sea. She enjoys a raucous board or card game, listens to podcasts while doing “domestic stuff”, and drives the long way around to familiar places just for the novelty. Tania plays classical and modern piano, loves a good fantasy novel series and takes great joy in witnessing the antics of her two kitties. A second generation Aussie of European descent, garlic and paprika runs through her veins.
What Students Say
Tania’s classes have been an absolute life saver for me! I had only just done a few online classes prior to meeting her and she has made me completely addicted to yoga, particularly to the Yin classes which are extremely relaxing and gentle.
- ER
I recommend Tania Alexander Yoga.
I have been a student of Tania’s since August 2022. Her classes are adapted for new students and those more experienced. It’s a rather perfect gift for one's self🌻
- DM
Tania is an amazing yoga teacher.I felt supported and confident. The classes are small and always different and the time truly flies! Honestly, I can't thank Tania enough. You will definitely feel restored and energised afterwards.
- MV