Presence Through Movement: Yin Yoga

This video is broken into 3 sections: Introduction, Complete Yin Practice, and Daily Yin Practice. I will describe each one and give an overview of the program at the end.The introduction is available as a separate menu selection so you can listen once in a while rather than with every practice. The first section includes segments from the practices and general Yin Yoga theory explained with voice over by Kim Eng. It is titled "A Portal into Presence."The second part of the introduction section is with Eckhart Tolle titled "A Transformation of Consciousness". I have never heard him talk and thought he was a little goofy at first, but I really suggest listening carefully to this segment, Eckhart has a lot of insight into the Yin practice. He explains that when you hold the postures you may have physical and mental discomfort. How will you deal with the discomfort, hold with willpower and judgments? (This is not the best approach, you will be fighting yourself.) Instead, use power of awareness in the moment and allow it to be what it is. Find the space around the discomfort, find the stillness (both physically and mentally), without effort, without willpower. Be free of thinking. Allow what is to be and naturally your mind will slow down too. This is the power of Yin Yoga!!! You can use these lessons on the video in daily life by "allowing" and being non-reactive when dealing with life discomforts. Learn to embrace alert presence! Eckhart's perspective really clicked for me in a way no one else has explained.The Complete Yin Practice is just over an hour (60 minutes) in length and includes a Seated Meditation to start the practice to help you become aware of the present moment. This is an excellent practice when you have the uninterrupted time to fully focus on the learning and practice. The following Yin postures are held for approximately 2-3 minutes each:Long-Legged ButterflyShoe Lace (left and right sides)Dragon (left and right sides)Sleeping Swan (left and right sides)Tadpole to Frog :0)Happy BabyWindshield WiperSpinal TwistShavasanaThe Daily Yin Practice is much shorter (a little over 30 minutes) and a practice that you can use during the week when you're short on time. It includes the following postures from the long practice and includes the introduction Seated Meditation. They are a repeat video instruction from the long practice.Long-Legged ButterflyDragon SequenceSleeping SwanSavasanaOverview of the program:There is lovely flute music with birdies singing (my favorite) in the background and Kim Eng's voice is soft and she doesn't talk too much. The instruction is very clear, along with video zooms to show body positioning, although she does same-side instruction rather than mirror image which is not my preference. These practices can be used by people new to Yin Yoga and someone like me who has been practicing yoga for years. One thing that Kim does different in Yin is she shakes and rocks the body between postures. Many of the instructors I've followed either move to the next pose quickly or lie still for a minute or so. I like Kim's technique. In addition, the video is well designed with selections for each individual pose. The short section has an option for turning the instruction on or off. Once you become familiar with the sequence you may want to turn the instruction off.I love the beautiful relaxing savasana at the end of each practice.This practice has really helped my sciatic pain and I've come to realize that my hip flexors are very tight. The Dragon pose (lunge) has been the most difficult for me (and probably the most helpful). I love the last sections of Happy Baby, Windshield Wiper and Spinal Twist.Please see my other review on Amazon for yoga, tai chi, meditation, and fitness.These are some of my other favorite Yin Practices:Deep Stretch / Yin Yoga by Mimi Solair she does not hold poses as long. I love this practice for mornings when I'm short on time:  Deep Stretch/ Yin Yoga with Mimi Solaire All time favorites:Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers:  Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers Yin Yoga: The Foundations of a Quiet Practice by Paul Grilley:  Yin Yoga: The Foundations of a Quiet Practice

The first time I completed this DVD I found it very difficult. Some of the poses seemed to go on and on and on. I wanted to give it a second try before giving up on it, though. I learned that being able to hold a pose for 30-40 seconds isn't the same as holding it for 2-3 minutes. The second time I followed many of her modifications. There are two practices.Complete Yin Yoga:o Seated meditation - I have a difficult time sitting cross legged for an extended period, so the second time did it in Shivasana with a pillow under my knees. It was very relaxing.o Long Legged Butterfly- similar to bound angle pose, except the legs are out long and the back is rounded. I was wondering how my lower back would feel about this and had no problems with it. The second time around, I placed blocks under my knees for support. This pose was very relaxing.o Shoelace - similar to gomukasana. The second time around I did it has half shoelace with the bottom leg out straight. This was, again, very relaxing.o Dragon sequence (low lunge variations) - This is a more challenging pose. The second time was much better, although I overstretched in the groin a little bit. I did not hold this pose as long as Kim did.o Sleeping Swan sequence - similar to pigeon pose. I skipped this pose the second time around. I can do pigeon pose, but the over 3 minute hold time was too long for me!o Tadpole to Frog - I stuck with tadpole the second time. Another very relaxing pose.o Happy Baby - very nice, includes rocking from side to side.o Windshield Wiper - with legs moving from side to side.o Supine Spinal Twist - the second time around I placed a pillow under my knees. Another perfect example of a pose that I can hold just fine at 30-40 seconds but the pillow was very helpful for the extended hold time.The shorter Daily Yin Yoga includes seated meditation, long legged butterfly, the dragon sequence, and sleeping swan sequence. I doubt I would use it since it includes the two poses I have the most trouble with. However, each of the poses is chaptered in the Complete practice so using the longer flow it is very easy to just chapter skip to the next pose to personalize.This was my first yin yoga DVD. I don't see myself running out to purchase more of this style, but I think this DVD was very good. I think it will be nice to use when I'm looking for something a little special. The scenery was pleasant, Kim's voice is wonderful. She does a great job at including modifications for those less flexible. I think that the practice would become more enjoyable over time as you learn to modify the poses naturally and just enjoy.

I bought this DVD based on the glowing reviews. My problems with the dvd were rather unique so I will be very specific in my critique.Yin yoga is a slow moving yoga. Poses are held for some time. This is the opposite of a flow class. If you don't like the music, you may get bored holding these poses. That was one of my problems. The flute music, with birds in the background is meant to be quite and soothing. It just didn't sit right with me. IT was a little too ambient. I would have preferred silence so I could meditate or different music. Kim and Eckhart encourage us to sit through our discomfort. I think that was a really good thing to include on the video. So my feelings were normal, and who knows, maybe this is exactly the practice I need to keep my mind under control. Except it's a little like: eat your veggies - I'm having some trouble making myself do it. I go back and forth and that's why I give the dvd 4 stars, not three, not five.Kim does a good job of the no frills approach to real yoga. She explains breathing. She explains posture. She is photographed so you can see the pose. She is calm and speaks in a soothing voice. The poses are relatively simple. It is convenient to have a choice for a long or short practice.My only other issue with the dvd is my specific hip injury makes pigeon pose impossible for me. I try to modify it - to no avail. Since this is a peak pose, it takes up quite a bit of time on the video. If you have a hip injury which makes pigeon difficult for you I would not recommend this video. If you are RECOVERING from a hip injury and you want to use pigeon to build strength, then this might be a really good resource for you, as she does all manner of prep poses before entering pigeon.

calming, balancing, peaceful.

Thanks

Easy to follow DVD. Exactly what I was looking for.

Very deep streching poses. Great for evening exersises. I love this DVD! Thank you Kim Eng!

I really have been enjoying this Yin Yoga DVD. I was relatively new to physical yoga, but I find this style (Yin) is very easy to get into. The stretches are often slightly customizable in that you can follow her lead to take them deeper if you can, or remain with a less intense stretch if that's all you feel able to. There's two routines on the DVD, a complete program (over an hour) and a daily program (about 30 minutes). For the first six times doing this practice I used the shorter daily routine as I was new to stretching and wanted to ease into it. Now I have gotten into doing the full length routine and love it. All the stretches are doable for me, yet still somewhat challenging so I feel it is a very progressive practice for me. Kim's instructions and guidance throughout are clear and very appropriate, and the overall feel of the program is very meditative. Personally, I much prefer this gentler style of yoga over a more cardio-intensive style as it is much calmer and more meditative. After the session is over I feel quite great :)