As a yogi, I have experienced the healing powers of restorative “YIN Yoga” practice both teaching and taking classes. These variations of yoga asanas (poses) are held for periods of six to ten minutes (sometimes longer) progressively aiding the body to achieve flexibility, spiritual clarity and overall wellness. YIN means more passive or slower moving.
Over the decades of providing massage therapy to my clientele, I had noticed common afflictions in parts of the body that tend to hold tension and pain. These ”hot spots” are usually found in the areas of the hips, lower back, shoulders and neck, and are often caused by poor posture and repetitive work tasks. New studies are showing injuries from texting and other handheld devices that cause cervical trauma due to improper stacking and pressure points on the discs and vertebrae. Accumulation of these disorders may cause fatigue, body imbalance and discomfort.
“Yoga and YIN yoga are not a passing fad or trend, but a lifestyle that can be implemented at your spa.”
YIN Style yoga postures can be incorporated into spa treatments such as massage, facials or be provided as a separate service. With the addition of a YIN practice service, you can provide your client the opportunity to achieve their own MOKSHA , Sanskrit for “body liberation”.
Achieving this moment of euphoria with clients is obtainable by using inexpensive props such as blankets, blocks, bolsters, yoga mats and straps. Even your staff can replenish their postural vitality between sessions by having these tools available to them.
In addition to a YIN Yoga treatment you can take it up a notch by adding pranayama breathing techniques. ‘Prana’ meaning life force and ‘ayama” meaning control.
Breath is a powerful tool when trying to guide someone to relax. Re-learning how to breathe properly especially while receiving spa treatments becomes a vital gift to your client. As a therapist and service provider we have the ability to set the tone and pace of every session by helping our clients maintain their drishti – (focus) on their spa experience.
Be innovative and create new services such as: “YIN Yogassage” or an “Essential Prana Facial” that will be beneficial to any spa guest.
Feel free to contact me if you require assistance to set up these new practices at your spa or for additional information on these treatments.
Namaste (meaning ‘I bow to the divine in you’) ASHe