Do you have any space in your calendar, or is it choc-a-block full? Do you feel guilty when you catch yourself doing nothing? Or do you embrace the Italian way of the dolce far niente? In case you haven’t read Eat, Pray, Love or don’t know any (Southern) Italians, it means “the sweetness of doing nothing.”
It’s not about actually doing nothing, but more about letting go of the need to always be productive. It’s those moments when you have no real agenda, just letting the day unfold naturally. Maybe you linger over a coffee, call a friend for a chat, take a slow walk, lose yourself in a book, or stop and just listen to music. It’s about savouring the simple, unplanned moments and realising these small pockets of nothingness can be full of so much life.
In Eastern philosophy, this kind of energy is Yin energy. It’s the Yin to the Yang of filling the calendar with events, dropping the kids to all those extracurriculars, getting to the gym every day and one hundred and one to-dos.
There’s nothing wrong with these Yang activities… they are great, actually! But like the sun has the moon, we need a bit of Yin to balance all that Yang. And that’s where Yin Yoga comes in.
The Benefits of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a slow, meditative style that focuses on longer-held poses, targeting the deeper connective tissues like fascia, ligaments and joints. This kind of practice offers a different kind of stretch, one that goes beyond muscles to improve joint mobility, release deeply stored tension and create space in both the body and mind. Here’s why so many people are turning to Yin Yoga for balance and wellness:
- Improves Flexibility and Joint Health. Stretches deep connective tissues, enhances range of motion and joint health over time.
- Calms the Nervous System. Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reduces stress and promotes a sense of calm and relaxation.
- Increases Mindfulness and Emotional Resilience. Longer holds and deep breathing increase vagal tone, which has been linked to better emotional regulation and reduced anxiety.
- Releases Deep Tension. Helps release physical and emotional tension stored in the body’s connective tissues.
- Balances Energy. Provides a counterbalance to fast-paced, high-energy activities, promotes overall balance in body and mind.
If all this sounds amazing, it’s time to do some Yin Yoga! We’ve just popped one of our Yin Classes on our YouTube Channel. So you don’t have to sign up to anything, just hit play!
If you love the class, and you want more… then the next step is signing up to a 7 day trial of our MerryBody app! Head on over here and join!
We are seriously in Yin Yoga mode, after months of diving deep into the magic of Yin Yoga, we’re so excited to be putting together our MerryBody Yin Yoga Teacher Training!
If you’re ready to go even deeper, our first cohort of the MerryBody Yin Yoga Online Teacher Training starts this October 2025. It’s designed for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of Yin, learn the art of teaching and experience the amazing benefits of this beautiful practice on a whole new level. You’ll gain a deep understanding of anatomy, the philosophy behind Yin, and practical teaching skills… all from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you want to guide others or simply dive deeper into your own practice, this training is the perfect way to transform your relationship with Yin Yoga. Stay tuned for more details! Or if you really want more, email us or msg us on Instagram or on Facebook over here!
Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla