Yin Yoga for Runners, Plus 5 Juicy Yin Poses

Inspired by traditional practices of monks in India and China, modern Yin yoga arrived in the late 70’s. The monks held Yin-style poses for long periods of time to physically condition themselves for sitting meditation. Nowadays, Yin yoga is great for the prolonged sitting of the American desk worker.

Yin yoga works on the connective tissues (tendons, fascia, and ligaments) of the body, making it a great yin to the yang of running.

In contrast to vinyasa yoga where you flow from pose to pose with your breath, in Yin yoga you settle into a pose for 3-6 minutes. The class is slow-paced, sometimes with only a handful of poses. The poses are floor-based with gravity aiding you, focusing on the hips, inner thighs, lower spine, and pelvis. No Warrior One or other standing poses, here.

Yin yoga encourages you to cultivate an inner quietness to match the practice. It gives you an opportunity to create an hour-long pause in your busy life, embracing stillness.

Pixabay/brenkee

Learning Yin Yoga

I’ll be honest. It took me awhile to get used to Yin yoga. My first instructor was very traditional and would model the poses and stillness in the front of the room. I often convinced myself that she had fallen asleep and wondered how long it would take for the class to catch on.

Other instructors provided more guidance during class, and that helped me to understand Yin yoga a bit more. Holding poses for the long is a challenge, but I’m learning to let go and be still for just those few minutes in my day.

I love how Yin yoga opens my hips and relaxes my hamstrings. Yin yoga means dedicated time that I am working on connective fascia and requesting that it release. Even going once a week, I can feel a difference in my running life.

My interview with Yogi Lynne McSweeney on the benefits of Yin Yoga.

Benefits of Yin Yoga for Runners

Fascia release – the connective tissue surrounding our muscles
Improved flexibility – over time, you will be able to relax deeper into the poses
Improved joint mobility – create more mobility in your joints as you work on the tight tissue surrounding them
Calmness – practicing calmness in your body and your mind

Check out these interviews with runners trying yoga for the first time.

5 Juicy Yin Poses

These photos are for illustrative purposes only, not to show you correct alignment or “good” yoga. I’m a runner, not a yogi.

All of these poses have different levels of depth. Your yoga instructor can help you adjust to find the right depth for that day. As you practice, you will learn that each day is different, for new yogis and pro yogis alike.

1. Reclining bound angle pose (hip opener)

Reclining Bound Angle Pose

This hip opener stretches knee, groin, and thigh. Click here for more information on this pose.

2. Square pose

Also known as Fire Log pose

A trickier hip opener, when leaning forward also decompresses lower back. Click here for more information on this pose.

3. Lizard or Dragon

On block

On forearms

Hip and groin opener, stretches hip flexor and quad. Many variations available. Click here for more information on this pose.

4. Sleeping Swan or Half Pigeon

Pigeon pose

Variation of pigeon pose

My favorite yin pose. This pose is great for the IT band. Rotates front hip, stretches quad and hip flexor. If sitting upright, back bend is available. Click here for more information on this pose.

5. Hero

Hero pose, upright on block

Without block, reclined

Strengthens arches of foot. Stretches knee, thigh, and ankle. Click here for more information on this pose.

Yin Yoga Class Video

Try out a Yin Yoga class from the comfort of your home. This one was created and offered by Health Alchemy Yoga.

Equipment Used in Video:

Note these are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

I really enjoy this bolster and I have the blue foam yoga blocks because they are cheaper, but prefer the cork ones for their heaviness. I don’t own a strap and can’t give you advice there! I always manage to tangle myself all up in it. You can use a towel or resistance band as an equipment modification.

Learning Yin Yoga

Benefits of Yin Yoga for Runners

5 Juicy Yin Poses