Insight Yoga
A friend of mine lent me a book called Insight Yoga: An Innovative Synthesis of Traditional Yoga, Meditation, and Eastern Approaches to Well-Being by Sarah Powers. This book is what I’ve been using to explore Yin Yoga, a type of restorative yoga which involves holding poses for an extended period of three to five minutes.
The book includes a number of different sessions created to stimulate different organs, as well as providing various meditation and breathing techniques. Also included are a series of yang routines meant to balance the slower yin practice.
I found the book to be a useful introduction to yin yoga, as well as an interesting read. As for yin yoga itself, I’ve found it extremely effective in helping me relax before bed. Additionally, it helps to stretch out some of the deeply tense muscles in my body.
While yin yoga does not necessarily require and interest in meditation, I’ve found it a helpful precursor to seated meditation, as it helps me to quiet my mind.
Another thing I like about yin yoga is that it is not vigorous. This lack of required energy means that I can do a yoga practice even when my fibromyalgia symptoms are extremely heightened.
I have read that there is a great yoga DVD specifially for people with fibromyalgia called Yoga for Healing by Sarah Bates. The instructor herself has fibromyalgia and I plan to order it myself which I’m really excited about especially as there is 30min seated workout which is ideal for me in my current state on crutches. I have been adapting the video I do have to be done in the seated position but I have to keep skipping some of the poses. I will review it for you when once I receive it (though it might take awhile to get it shipped to the other side of the world).
Sounds great! It would be wonderful to have a review of it.
Will do. The DVD has been ordered and shipped. The anticipation of waiting for it to arrive is so frustrating but I’m so excited to try it out when it finally does get here.