How to make the most of your online Yin class

Practising yoga online really took off back in 2020 for obvious reasons, but it has maintained its popularity and continues to be the medium of choice for many of us, despite social restrictions having eased and studios being open for business once again.  There’s no doubt that practising yoga online (both live stream and pre-recorded) has many benefits that continue to make it a very popular choice: it’s convenient, time efficient (no commuting necessary, other than from one room to another…or our bed to computer perhaps) and we can create a comfortable environment surrounded by our favourite things to enhance our overall experience (candles, soft music and props of our choice).  Yin yoga is particularly well suited to practising at home, partly because we can really optimise the comfort factor but also because it is not necessary to look at the laptop screen in order to follow the class as the poses are held for longer durations and once the initial instructions and demonstrations have been offered it is all about deepening your personal journey into stillness.  Read on for a few tips to maximise your home practice.

Although one might expect a studio environment to be a haven of tranquility during a Yin class, we can tailor the experience specifically to our own preferences when practising at home by being mindful of the following:

Lighting

Not all yoga classes take place in specifically tailored studios with dimmer lights and we’ve all been to classes held in drafty halls where the lighting could not be adjusted.  Harsh, bright lights  glaring down on us does not equate to a relaxing experience and equally we probably don’t want to be subject to pitch darkness.  Creating our own relaxing environment at home using low lighting, fairy lights or candlelight can be a lovely way of easing into peacefulness.

Scent

Scenting our space with a fragrance of choice, be this a candle or essential oil blend in a diffuser, can profoundly enhance our yoga sessions.  Inhaling odour molecules affects part of the brain that is also linked to the autonomic nervous system so certain scents can be used to activate the parasympathetic branch of the ANS, responsible for feelings of safety and ease. This in turn promotes healing and relaxation.  Studies have shown that essentail oils can reduce stress levels and scents such as lavender, chamomile, neroli, sandalwood and frankincense can be particularly soothing. As the limbic system (the part of the brain where scent signals are sent) controls memory and emotion, we will all have different positive scent associations so choose whatever aromas are pertinent to inducing feelings of calm for you when scenting your space.

Music

Playing some soft music in the background is a really nice way of creating a restorative atmosphere and we all have our own preferences when it comes to music for relaxation.  Some of us may gravitate towards soft, classical music, whilst others may find peace in chanting, nature sounds, electronic ambient music or even singing bowls.  This is all about deepening your personal practice so choose whatever helps you find stillness in body and mind.

Props

We don’t have to be fully kitted out with specific yoga props to enhance our home practice but can instead use everyday items from around the home.  Firm cushions and pillows work well in place of a bolster or meditation cushion, rolled up towels can perform the same function as a blanket, and belts or scarves can be used in place of a yoga strap.  Chunky books can serve as yoga bricks and you don’t even need to have a mat as long as the surface underneath you is not slippery.

Distraction

Whilst some of us may find practising in a room full of other students enhances the experience from a connection view point, others may find it a distraction.  It’s all too easy to cast a side long view at the shapes our neighbour is creating on the mat, which can often lead to unhelpful comparisons and self-judgement.  Providing you can carve out a quiet space at home where you won’t be disturbed by fluffy friends or small people wandering in (and peekabooing you in savasana) practising at home can make the experience more personal.

Cosy clothing

In contrast to more yang styles of movement, Yin yoga is a cooling practice centred around stillness so being warm and comfortable makes a big difference. Practising at home means that you can avoid shivering in savasana with scarves, cosy jumpers and soft blankets close to hand if needed.

Above all when practising yoga at home, create an atmosphere that is enjoyable for you as this is what will keep you returning to your practice on a consistent basis.