The Yin Yoga Podcast

Understanding Yourself and Your Practice Through the Prism of The Gunas

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo discussion episode, we'll explore the three intertwined modes that constitute our very existence, the Gunas. This enlightening discu...

The Future of Yoga: A Conversation with Nikki Hadjithoma

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode you will meet Nikki Hajitoma, a renowned Yin Yoga teacher and trainer.  We delve into Nikki's unique approach to yoga, where Wes...

A Celebration of the Body: Yin Yoga, Cellular Respiration, and Gratitude

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Experience the profound connection between the universe within you and the world around you as we journey through an exquisite exploration of yin yoga...

Somatic Practice: Your Daily Routine for Stiff Upper Back and Neck

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever felt like you needed some extra TLC for your upper back, neck, and shoulders? You're not alone. Come along as I guide you through an enrichi...

Yin & Somatic Practice: Calming Pelvic Pain and Tension

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to revolutionize your relationship with your pelvic floor? This enlightening episode is like a road map to pelvic health, guiding you through ge...

Yin & Experiential Anatomy: Meet the Traps

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Become a Patron of the Yin Yoga Podcast! Just $15/month for access to premium, exclusive content and courses. Learn MoreIn this practice, we unravel t...

Becoming an Evidence Informed Yin Yoga Teacher or Student: A Guided Journey Part Four

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready to unlock the power of evidence-informed Yin Yoga in managing chronic pain? This fascinating episode wraps up our four-part series, illu...

Becoming an Evidence Informed Yin Yoga Teacher or Student: A Guided Journey Part Three

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this third episode in our Becoming an Evidence Informed Yin Teacher or Student, I'll be reviewing some actual papers for you that are not dire...

Becoming an Evidence Informed Yin Yoga Teacher or Student: Part Two

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to level up your Yin Yoga teaching or practice? We're back with part two of our enlightening series, and this time, we're demystifying...

Becoming an Evidence Informed Yin Yoga Teacher or Student: A Guided Journey Part One

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode I share invaluable insights that will empower both teachers and practitioners to deepen their understanding of Yin Yoga, as well ...

Yin & Somatics: Activate to Release Tight Hip Flexors

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So many of us suffer with hip flexors that feel stiff, tight, sore or even painful. it's not uncommon for me to encounter clients and students th...

Harmonizing Body and Mind: The Relationship between Yin Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we peel back the layers of Eastern wisdom with our esteemed guest, Josh Summers.  Seasoned Yin teachers and novice practitioners alik...

Yin & Somatics: Benevolent Awareness for the Neck and Throat

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Though the front of the neck and throat are only a  very small part of the physical body, they have an oversized role in self hood. This practice is ...

Exploring Shoulder Anatomy: A Deep Dive into Yin Yoga and Myofascial Release Techniques

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You might think you know the intricacies of your shoulder anatomy, but this practice will take you to a depth of understanding that you've never ...

Befriending the Hip: A Holistic Approach to Hip Tension

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever felt frustrated with persistent hip tension that just won't go away? Ever wondered if there's a simpler, more holistic way to relieve t...

Harnessing the Power of the Five Elements in Your Practice and in Your Life

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Register for my Yin Masterclass: Creating Yin Sequencing Poetry. Join me live on September 11, 2023 at 2 pm CT (USA) or request the recording after 9/...

Yin & Somatics: Lasting Relief for Hip and Groin Tension

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered why tension seems to build up in certain areas of your body, like the front of your pelvis and groins? This episode of the Yin Yoga Pod-...

Yin & Somatics: Thoracic Nerve Flossing

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yoga is a bit preoccupied with muscles, Yin perhaps a bit too preoccupied with joints and connective tissues. But there is another element to healthy ...

Unlocking Your Authentic Voice: The Intersection of Yin Yoga, Nervous System Regulation, and Leadership

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can Yin Yoga and nervous system communication unearth your unique and authentic voice? Join us on a fascinating journey with Elise Besler, a Yin Y...

Yinversion

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some of these poses are unfamiliar! If you need a visual, Click for a pose gallery of this practice. We don’t usually think about inversions in Yin...

Bolster Giveaway: The podcast returns for real on July 26th!

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The podcast is still on break for a couple more weeks. But that doesn't mean that we aren't hard at work on future episodes. As I plan the r...

A Yin Hiatus May 24 - July 26: And a Special Offer

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm on break for the next couple of months but will be returning with fresh new episodes on July 26.You can keep practicing with me this Summer i...

Yin & Somatics: The Toes Have It

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This practice is all about the lower body. But we will work with the feet, ankles, knees, thighs and hips with an unorthodox somatic lens, the toes. Y...

Guided Somatic Meditation for Heartfelt Good Wishes

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A quick guided somatic meditation to help you to learn how to comfort yourself. I have loosely based this meditation on the teachings of Kristen Neff....

Yin & Somatics: Neck Pain Relief

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The human neck is a tricky place. It's a complex experience of musculoskeletal, nervous and vascular tissue. But also bound to thoughts, feelings...

Should Yin Yoga Be Deep or Mild?

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A debate that rages on. Some students swear by the benefit of of deep and intense duration stretch. Some by a milder attitude for the length of the ho...

Yin & Yoga Philosophy: Acceptance

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While you marinate in juicy poses targeting the hips, we will explore a the duality of resistance and acceptance. You will have an opportunity to disc...

Yin Yoga and Meditation with Addie deHilster

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week I am interviewing Addie deHilster. Addie is a mindful movement teacher whose teaching prioritizes mindfulness from the Vipassana tradition. ...

Yin & Pranayama: Collective Amoebic Consciousness

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this sublime practice we will blend somatic movements and static Yin poses with a breathing technique known as cellular breathing. This technique ...

Yin & Pranayama: Expand Your Breathing Options

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This practice is a blend of Yin Yoga and pranayama with a bit of somatic work sprinkled in. We will explore a breathing practice that I learned from m...

Yin & Somatics: Thoracic Expression

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The upper back is an area that can be a big source of tension and even pain. We also have a fair amount of cultural baggage around the appropriate way...

Understanding Yin Yoga and Fascia

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While it's true that you could practice Yin Yoga for a lifetime without knowing a thing about science, I do believe that a little scientific know...

Yin & Pranayama: Natural Energy

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We usually think of Yin as calming, soothing and down regulating. But with a few tweaks, we can cultivate a calm, natural energy as well. Not the jitt...

Relieve Joint Stiffness and Pain in the Morning

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a familiar story but it breaks my heart every time. For people with chronic pain, just getting out of bed in the morning can be a real chall...

Yin & Somatics: Hip Flexor Relief

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The hip flexors are a group of muscles on the front of the hip which include the psoas, the illiacus and the rectus femoris. These muscles flex the hi...

How to Breathe in Yin Yoga

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For something so simple, there sure is a lot of disagreement about how to breathe in Yin Yoga. In this episode I unpack some of the evidence around Yo...

Yin & Somatics for Deep Hip Learning

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The hip is more than a collection of tissues. It's a unique and complicated element of the embodied self. In this practice we combine a somatic l...

Yin & Somatics: Your Nervous System and Your Neck

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a go to, short practice to relieve neck and shoulder tension naturally. The whole practice can be done from a simple chair. You will engage in...

Yin & Somatics: Heartfelt Good Wishes

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This movement practice is supported by a form of meditation known as a Koan. Essentially a line of inquiry that you explore quietly. This type of medi...

Yin & Somatics: Stress Support

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chronic stress is linked to many of the most pernicious chronic diseases that plague modern humans. Managing stress is of critical importance for heal...

Yin & Meditation: As I am meant to be

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the start of the new year. Most of us are looking forward and hoping to make some postive changes for the future. I offer this practice as a framew...

5 Reasons Yin Yoga is So Beneficial for Chronic Pain

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yin Yoga is so much more than stretching. For those with chronic pain, it has so much to offer, way beyond increasing flexibility. As a pain care coac...

Chair Yin for Travel Aches and Pains

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many of my clients experience a pain flare during or after travel. Pain is so complex and multifaceted, so there is never any one reason that it rears...

Yin & Meditation: Your Shoulder without Agenda

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This gentle but powerful practice explores a concept as well as the shoulder through movement and mindfulness. Your practice will be supported by a si...

Yin & Meditation for Acceptance

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When most of us hear the word acceptance, we think of giving up or giving in. Our culture makes a virtue of resisting, fighting, wriggling out of diff...

Yin & Somatics: How to Stretch Your Neck

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I’m sort of amazed, and appalled, about how much misinformation there is about neck pain. One really irksome myth is that if your neck is tight, som...

Yin & Somatics for Gratitude

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gratitude is a practice just like any other. It requires effort, even when it's challenging. But it's worth it.  People who commit to a mor...

Yin & Somatics for Falling Asleep

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No human can survive without the ability to engage with the world. Our nervous systems are beautifully evolved to help us to attend to our survival ne...

Yin & Pranayama: Time to Breathe

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Breathing is the simplest thing in the world. But it's also incredibly powerful. Science is just recently tuning in to the capacity of the breath...

Wall Yin: Releasing Grudges

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All of us tend to hold little grudges against our bodies. Maybe you can't do something as well as you used to, or pain casues you to opt out of t...

Yin & Somatics: Rehabilitating the Body Image

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When people ask me for an elevator pitch about what I do, the quickest, most accurate answer that I can give, is that I rehabilitate body image. Most ...

Yin & Somatics: Cherish Your Knees

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

During my wonderful 3 weeks in Croatia and Greece, I spent most of my time in areas where the sea meets the mountains. Indescribably beautiful, so man...

Yin Yoga: Hamstrings Education

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We have a big problem with misinformation in the Yoga world. This problem seems most rampant around the hamstrings but is by no means exclusive to the...

Yin & Meditation: For when you are too hard on yourself

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

 This 30 minute practice is for you if you tend to get down on yourself, if you are a bit perfectionistic. I've borrowed from a meditation I got...

Getting to Know Your Back: Part 4

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

 For our final practice in this four part series, we will be working with the upper back, or thoracic region of the spine. For your exploration, I&ap...

Getting to Know Your Back: Part 3

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

 This is the third class in our series, Getting to Know Your Back. You are welcome to explore these practices in any order. In this practice, we will...

Getting to Know Your Back: Part 2

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many who have back pain believe that their spine is unstable. There is a distinct feeling of instability and vulnerability in the back that is reinfor...

Getting to Know Your Back: Part 1

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us think of the back as a collection of tissues; North of the hips and behind the core, supported by the spine. We don’t think too much abou...

Yin & Somatics: Trusting the Shoulder

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For this gentle but incredibly powerful practice, I have borrowed a lesson from the Feldenkrais Method. You will engage in gentle progressions to expe...

Yin & Somatics: Hip Soother

30 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If I had a dollar for every time a student asked for a yoga pose for tight, or painful hips.... It's one of the main reasons that people come to ...

Yin & Somatics: Neck Pain Inoculation

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a gentle yet very effective practice for challenging our biases. Neck pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain and like all pain, ...

Yin & Meditation: Heart Closing

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To me, Yin is the answer, the cure, for our stressful times. A practice which invites us to slow down, attend to the self and surrender is not just he...

Yin & Somatics: Sternal Rhythm

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This practice is a special offering just for my listeners with neck pain. I do a lot of episodes about neck pain. Why? Because it's one of the mo...

Yin & Meditation: Expand Your Field of Awareness

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is one of those practices that you just crave. You’ll spend the whole hour on your back enjoying delicious somatic movements and simple Yin pos...

Yin & Somatics for Self Acceptance

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this very supported practice we will be focusing on the movements of the spine: delicious forward folds, sublime twists, exquisite sidebands and so...

Yin & Somatics: Stretching Water

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are each granted an amazing opportunity in life to cherish and protect this priceless vessel that we get to live in. I've noticed that when my...

Yin & Pranayama: Sleep Well

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This Week's 30 minute practice is designed to usher you into a deep and restful sleep. We will combine a breathing practice with simple yoga pose...

Yin & Somatics: Posture Update

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Posture is an incredibly loaded topic in our culture. If you've been involved in yoga for any time you've been receiving messages about post...

Yin for Strength?

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So… unfortunately, none of the movements in Yin actually achieve the conditions that are required to build strength. BUT! Yin can be an amazing comp...

Yin & Somatics: A Hug for Hardworking Hips

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This practice is what you need if you've been struggling with tight, uncomfortable hips. In addition to some familiar Yin poses we will also be p...

Yin & Somatics: Soothe Upper Back and Neck Tension

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To be an adult is to sometimes struggle with upper back and neck tension and even pain. This is my professional opinion. Though this pain/tightness ca...

Yin for Perfectionists

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

 This is an important practice for all of my fellow sisters and brothers in perfectionism. If you are someone who never feels like they can take a br...

Nerve Flossing Practice for Sciatic Trouble

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All of the nerves in our body require a state of sliding and gliding within our tissues. When nerves get stuck, or compressed, they tell us. While the...

Side Bodies and the Self

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a very gentle practice focused on the side bodies. I wanted to work with a part of the body that most of us don’t experience too many proble...

Release for Low Back and Hips

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I get a lot of requests for practices that focus on the low back and hips. These are notoriously sensitive areas and students really want stretches to...

Yin & Somatics: Simple Practice for Low Back Pain

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a Movement for Healing Coach, I work with a lot of people with chronic back pain.  While every client is different, there are some go to practices...

Yin & Somatics: Here for Now

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I think we're all a little tired right now. Things are piling up for sure at this stage in the pandemic. This is a practice that I offered recent...

Wall Yin and The Matrix

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wall Yin is by far my most requested class. It's a sweetly intense restorative type of practice. During your postures I will cue you through a si...

Yin & Somatics for Anxiety

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Evidence informed practice doesn't need to be complicated. This gentle practice makes use of research backed techniques to reduce anxiety during ...

Yin & Somatics: Sublime Sidebends

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the kind of wiggly, stretchy, feel-y practice that I love. We will focus our movement on more comfortable side bending, but I think that you w...

Developing Intuition and Independence in Practice

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Develop skills for your home practice as you learn how to attend to your own needs and intuition. This session is a a minimally guided intuitive Yin p...

Yin & Meditation: Outcome Independence

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A very traditional supported Yin with plenty of stillness in our favorite feel good poses. In this practice we will practice outcome independence. Oft...

Yin & Yoga Philosophy: Stable and Easeful

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you are looking for some yummy supported hip openers, this is the class for you. We will practice facing the long edge of the mat, using props to s...

Yin & Somatics: Teaching the Shoulder

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this practice we will take bits and pieces of a Feldenkrais Method® Lesson focusing on effortless shoulder movement. Yummy Yin poses will be held ...

Yin & Somatics: Free Your Sternum for a Happier Neck

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This practice is a special hug for my fellow Yogis who suffer from neck pain, stiffness and tension headaches. We will incorporate a few Yin poses int...

Yin & Meditation: Movement Reset

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This practice cycles very gentle dynamic stretches with more passive poses. As you breathe in movement and stillness you will meditate on pure sensory...

Yin and Your Nervous Systems

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I love Yin. I hope that is obvious. I've spent years developing my teaching style and skill. I am always studying topics as diverse as cell struc...

Yin & Somatics: Hip to Shoulder

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This practice is not a very traditional Yin. If you love to be exposed to something different in your practice you will love this. If you enjoy learni...

Yin & Somatics: Body Here-ness

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us develop an antagonism with our bodies. In our younger years it's because we fret that we don't have the most desirable features, ...

Yin + Somatics: Save your neck!

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you suffer from neck tension, neck discomfort, or pain this is the practice for you. More than just a little bit of stretching, this practice will ...

Yin + Somatics: Understanding your Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ)

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is a restorative-y Yin with somatics thrown in for good measure. In my work with students and clients, I find that the sacroiliac joint is quite ...

Yin + Somatics: Shoulder Therapy

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For this practice you will need a blanket or thick towel. If you have experienced shoulder pain or discomfort either now, or in the past run, don&apo...

Yin + Somatics: Effortless Neck Movement

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you are suffering from a sore, tight or painful neck, drop everything and hit play. When the neck is in this state, it's not really the time t...

Yin + Somatics: Address Neck Pain from the Pelvis to the Eyes

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Got neck pain? 3 out of 5 people will say yes. In our new zoom culture it's even more prevalent and I have certainly been seeing this with my cli...

Yin: Homage to Your Spine

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your spine is the most exquisite structure. Capable of incredible mobility and unparalleled stability, it's been evolving for millions of years a...

Yin + Somatics: Foot to Face, A Practice for Neck and Jaw

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For me, Somatic Education is an extremely valuable tool for helping my students and clients who suffer from chronic pain. Of particular interest to me...

Yin + Pranayama: A Universe Conspires

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hey. Here's the deal. My comfort zone seems to be swimming upstream. I like to make things so much harder than they need to be and struggle and s...

Yin + Somatics: Survival of the Nurtured

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This blissful practice is perfect for the end of a difficult day. Reconnect with your body, your breath. We'll work with the resources of peace a...

Yin + Pranayama: Wag with Your Whole Body

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I have a voracious appetite for information about neuroscience right now. I'm reading books, research, articles etc... My interest is in applying...

Yin + Somatics: The Whole Self

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For me the intersection of science and Yoga is really exciting. One area of great convergence is in the study of interoception. The internal sense of ...