Yin Yoga Podcast

Season 7 Ep. 12

Today I'm talking about one of my favourite paired organs in Chinese Medicine, the liver and gallbladder.
They're connected to spring, and the wood element, and understanding them can transform your Yin Yoga practice and your life.

The liver sees the path. The gallbladder walks it.
Key Functions:
Ensures smooth flow of chi (emotional, digestive, menstrual)
Controls the sinews (fascia)
Associated emotion: anger, frustration, passion
Imbalance signs: Irritability, tight muscles, headaches, PMS, feeling stuck
Key Functions:
Governs decision-making and courage
Executes the liver's vision
Courage = clarity + action
Imbalance signs: Indecision, timidity, difficulty taking action
Liver = the dreamer, the architect
Gallbladder = the general who makes it so
Liver without gallbladder = frustrated dreamer
Gallbladder without liver = action with no soul
Together = vision + courage + forward momentum
"Without anger and frustration, there would be no evolution, revolution, or change."
"Vision plus courage—that's what we need."
Winter is for going inward. Spring is for planting seeds and taking action. SPRING is when I create my vision board and start new habits—not January!

🎙️ Podcast break! Back April 17th

💡 Send me your Yin Yoga questions: Instagram 
@nykdanuyoga
@YinYogaPodcast

or comment on YouTube/Spotify/ My Blog
Also mentioned in this Episode: Root to Rise: Yin Yoga Spring and the Wood element 

Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
See all episodes at a glance
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra

Season 7 | ep. 11
In this episode, I dive into why the world desperately needs more Yin energy right now – and I'm not just talking about Yin Yoga (although definitely that too). I'm talking about the overarching philosophy of Yin and why embracing these qualities is an act of resistance against hustle culture.
I explore seven key reasons why we need more Yin, sweet Yin:• Yin as resistance to hustle culture• How Yin helps us avoid burnout through rest and regulation• Why listening (to ourselves and others) is a Yin superpower• Creating depth instead of constant stimulation• Embracing compassion and softness in a competitive world• Honouring natural cycles instead of endless growth• Supporting nervous system regulation
I also share some personal stories, including a vulnerable moment about a health scare that really put things in perspective for me, plus journal prompts you can use to bring more Yin qualities into your daily life.
If you're feeling burnt out, overstimulated, or just exhausted by the constant pressure to do more, this episode is for you.
Also mentioned in this episode: h⁠ttps://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/⁠
⁠Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.⁠
⁠See all episodes at a glance⁠
Yoga Teachers:⁠ Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training⁠ at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my ⁠Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom⁠
To subscribe to my ⁠On-Demand Video Library⁠:
⁠Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley⁠
⁠Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra ⁠
Find me on Instagram 
⁠@nykdanuyoga⁠
⁠@YinYogaPodcast⁠

Season 7 | ep. 11
In this episode, I dive into why the world desperately needs more Yin energy right now – and I'm not just talking about Yin Yoga (although definitely that too). I'm talking about the overarching philosophy of Yin and why embracing these qualities is an act of resistance against hustle culture.
I explore seven key reasons why we need more Yin, sweet Yin:• Yin as resistance to hustle culture• How Yin helps us avoid burnout through rest and regulation• Why listening (to ourselves and others) is a Yin superpower• Creating depth instead of constant stimulation• Embracing compassion and softness in a competitive world• Honouring natural cycles instead of endless growth• Supporting nervous system regulation
I also share some personal stories, including a vulnerable moment about a health scare that really put things in perspective for me, plus journal prompts you can use to bring more Yin qualities into your daily life.
If you're feeling burnt out, overstimulated, or just exhausted by the constant pressure to do more, this episode is for you.
Also mentioned in this episode: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
See all episodes at a glance
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra 
Find me on Instagram 
@nykdanuyoga
@YinYogaPodcast

Season 7 EP. 10
Should you mix Yin and Restorative Yoga in one class? Spoiler alert: I'm not a fan, and in this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why.I get asked this question all the time, so let's clear up the confusion once and for all. Yin and restorative yoga have completely different intentions. In restorative, you're using tons of props to feel zero stretch so your nervous system can deeply rest. In Yin, you're actually looking for sensation in the body while holding poses for 2.5 to 5 minutes.The problem? Most teachers (and students) are confused about the difference. And when you mix them in one class, it gets even muddier.In this episode, I cover:• The real difference between Yin and Restorative Yoga• Why mixing them confuses students• What to call your class if it's not 'actually Restorative.'• How I'd combine them if someone forced me to (spoiler: Yin first, then Restorative)• Why your 200-hour training is just the beginningIf you've been teaching "Restorative" with one bolster and a blanket, this episode is for you. Let's talk about honouring these beautiful practices and giving them the space they deserve.Got thoughts? Drop them in the comments. I'd love to hear your take on this. 👇🏻Also mentioned in this episode:Yin vs Restorative: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-vs-restorative-yoga-whats-the-difference/What is Yin Yang: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/Props for Practice: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/Restorative Training: https://www.judithhansonlasater.comWant to support my work? Leave me a tip.
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/78PEVR5WF3ZSASee all episodes at a glance https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NOyRZM7cKC-h9kOMT-rIIeuatJgOf1CKT63LjAHk2LU/edit?usp=sharingYoga Teachers Get on the Waitlist: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/ at the bottom and top of the PageTo join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/online-yoga/To subscribe to my https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/video-library/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley : https://pranamaya.com/courses/anatomy-for-yoga/?ref=20 Find me on Instagram Nyk Danu Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/nykdanuyoga/Yin Yoga Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/yinyogapodcast/

Season 7 | Ep. 9
Yin Yoga & Osteoporosis: Essential Safety Guidelines for Teachers & PractitionersJoin me in a conversation with Niamh Daly, Yoga teacher trainer and author of "Yoga for Menopause and Beyond," for an in-depth discussion on safely practicing and teaching Yin Yoga for those with osteoporosis and osteopenia.Key Topics:• Understanding osteoporosis vs. osteopenia and why both require the same precautions• Why 54% of women over 50 have osteopenia (and may not know it)• Specific pose modifications: avoiding spinal flexion, supporting forward folds, and safe alternatives• The truth about whether yin yoga can increase bone density• Teaching accessibly: starting with the gentlest variations first• Supporting students emotionally through their diagnosis journeyEssential Takeaway: Teach osteoporosis-friendly variations as your default approach, especially when working with women over 40—the highest demographic in yoga classes.Learn more about Niamh's work at https://yinstinctyoga.com

Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
See all episodes at a glance
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra 
Find me on Instagram 
@nykdanuyoga
@YinYogaPodcast