There was a time when I only moved my body to change it. Let’s be real… it was always about losing weight. No matter what I weighed, I wanted to be thinner. I was stuck in a cycle of dieting, over-exercising and never feeling enough.
I shared about how Pasta, self-acceptance and Yoga were a big part of my healing journey (aka the stop-hating-my-body journey).
Yoga helped me so much, especially the philosophy. Realising that Asana (the physical poses) is just one small part of the practice was a big aha moment. But the focus on Yoga aesthetics, performance and appearance is still loud… especially in the world of social media.
But I think I’ve found the next step in my journey… the next chapter in the stop-hating-my-body story. It’s called Functional Yin Yoga, a term coined by one of the pioneering founders of Yin Yoga, Paul Grilley (Carla has done one of his Teacher Training Courses).
So, what is Functional Yin Yoga?
Functional Yin Yoga is a practice grounded in the understanding that every single body is different… not just in how it looks, but in how it’s built.
For example, the way my hip is shaped, the joints, the femur, the pelvis… all of the components are different to yours, and both of ours are different from that plastic skeleton we all saw in science class.
So when I settle into a pose like Pigeon (or Swan, in Yin Yoga land), I might feel the stretch best when my hips are slightly off-centre. You might feel it more when yours are square to the ground. Carla might feel it, in a reclined position even!
And here’s the thing: all the postures are “right”.
In Functional Yin Yoga, these differences in shape, sensation and alignment are not corrected… they’re honoured. You’re not here to make the pose look a certain way… you’re here to explore how it feels in your body.
Instead of focusing on the aesthetic (how a pose looks), you focus on the function (what the pose is meant to do).
The questions to ask are:
- What is the target area? Where do you want to feel it?
- What are you feeling? Are you feeling too much?
- What does your unique body need in this moment?
This practice isn’t about flexibility or depth. It’s about connection. Connection to yourself, and a deep self-awareness of what your body (and mind) may need.
The message of self-acceptance that’s at the core of everything we do at MerryBody becomes even more obvious through Functional Yin Yoga.
This practice invites a deep acceptance of what is… every sensation, every shape, every breath. There’s no forcing, no pushing, no trying to make your body look a certain way. Just honest, compassionate presence with slow and mindful movement.
And like all Yoga… what happens on the mat doesn’t stay there. You walk it off the mat.
Functional Yin Yoga Benefits
Amazing potential physical benefits of Yin Yoga:
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Gently releases fascia and deep connective tissue
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Improves mobility, joint health and even bone density
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Supports nervous system regulation
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Helps release tension and so much more.
Mental and emotional benefits:
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Encourages self-awareness and inner stillness
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Cultivates patience and resilience
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Creates space to process and invites you to let go
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Soothes the stress response and calms the mind
- Reduces stress and anxiety.
Spiritual benefits:
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Creates connection, takes you beyond the surface level of life
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Invites surrender, presence and deep acceptance
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Aligns body, mind and breath.
There’s so much I could say about this, but I just wanted to get something down, especially as we’ve been diving so deeply into it while creating our Yin Yoga Teacher Training. I feel so excited to share more with you.
This training won’t just support you in becoming a confident Yin Yoga teacher; it’s also a way to finally make peace with your body. To deepen the acceptance of yourself, your body, just as you are.
Yes, it’s about anatomy, fascia, meridians and the energetic body (and if you join us, you’ll learn all of that). But it’s also about discovering a deep sense of comfort and connection within your own body.
If you’ve ever felt like your body wasn’t good enough…
If you’ve pushed, punished or ignored your body in the past…
This training could be for you.
Join the waitlist or learn more about the MerryBody Yin Yoga Teacher Training.
Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla