It’s not surprising that these 2 styles are thought to be the same thing. They might look similar on the outside, but they feel very different and have different aims and effects.
Here’s 5 key differences that distinguish these 2 styles which is why I teach them separately in my classes and workshops in Bethnal Green and Hoxton.
Yin Yoga
Creates sensation such as a mild stretch in an intended area of the body, The aim is to slow down, be still and feel a a noticeable sensation in your body.
Yin Yoga’s superpower is that by staying in these mild poses for around 2-5 minutes there is an effect on the fascia (the wrappings of muscles, tissues and organs found throughout the body).
If practiced with a ‘less is more’ approach, (working at 50-60% of your full range), the ‘relaxation response’ (parasympathetic or rest-digestend of the nervous system) is activated. If you push too far into a stretch, it’s difficult to maintain for any length of time and your nervous system will go into sympathetic mode and will stiffen up.s
Props like bolsters, blanket and blocks are used for support in finding the version of the poses that suits the way your body is built. Yin yoga is ‘functional’ in it’s approach, meaning its not about what the pose looks like, (ie touching your toes when you bend forward) it’s about feeling the stretch in the targeted or intended area, in this case, the hamstrings and back. There is a version of every pose for the stiffest people .
Staying in these mild stretches for 2-5 mins relaxes the tissues and is a chilled out experience that can improves flexibility, helps with relaxation prior to sleeping and is an effective gateway to meditation.
Restorative Yoga
There is no intended stretch, it’s about deep rest and going deep into the parasympathetic (rest-digest) nervous system.
The aim is to create ease and comfort in the body so you can easily drop into deep relaxation. Every joint in your body is in a position of ease, with very little muscular activity.
The positions are so comfortable, you’ll stay for much longer than Yin Yoga poses, from around 8 to 20 minutes. The level of comfort is so high, you’ll find it impossible not to relax.
Restorative uses a ton of props to support your entire body in maximum comfort and you’re always covered by a blanket to keep warm. The body cools down when you go into deep parasympathetic mode.
It can replenish your energy after a bad night’s sleep, but the practice itself is different to sleep where your brainwaves can be fast during dreaming phases: In Restorative Yoga, the body is still and the brain is quiet, sometimes there’s a feeling of drifting in the liminal zone between sleep and waking.
If you’d like to try one of my upcoming yin Yoga classes Bethnal Green and Hoxton, I’ll be offering regular Yin Yoga classes from Spring 27 and Restorative Yoga Workshops are offered seasonally. Take look at my yoga schedule.