41: Community Conversations: The Hidden Benefits of Yin Yoga with Shannon Stephens

We have mentioned Yin yoga in previous episodes of this podcast within the context of flexibility and fascial health. Today host Rachel talks with yoga teacher and educator Shannon Stephens about the more hidden or secret benefits of Yin yoga that can transform our lives.

In this episode, Shannon shares how the Yin practice creates the quiet space and time lacking in modern life — inviting us to get to know ourselves, recalibrating our senses to more subtle settings, and forcing us to sit and stay with whatever comes up, including boredom.

Listen in as Shannon explores the many ways Yin can teach us how to respond rather than react — both in yoga and in our daily lives.

“There is no right or wrong. Whatever comes up becomes part of the practice.” – Shannon Stephens

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS. AND BE SURE TO LEAVE US A RATING AND REVIEW!

“Each posture is kind of a small meditation in and of itself.” – Shannon Stephens

Show Notes:

• Shannon’s early experience with Yin replenishing depletion [3:30]
• An observer’s seat for changing sensation [5:50]
• Sharpening our inner awareness [8:30]
• Teaching interoception with open-ended questions [12:26]
• The “Goldilocks zone” of sitting in conversation with discomfort [16:09]
• Highlighting the individual nature of a Yin practice [19:12]
• The magic ingredient of time and the power to stay [22:42]
• Holding space for surrender [26:25]
• A gateway to and container for meditation [28:42]
• Tactile experience of impermanence [30:12]
• Feeling the subtle body: TCM meridian lines and elements [32:11]
• Opening to self-care and self-compassion [36:52]
• Yin as a connecting force [39:29]
• Finding sacredness in the mundane and the privilege of boredom [43:19]
• Learning to respond rather than react [47:42]
• Final thoughts and favorite YMO practices from Shannon [51:42]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yin & Meditation Yoga Teacher Training
• The Hidden Benefits of Yin Yoga
• Yoga Medicine Online Guest Teacher
• Yoga Medicine Online: Yin Yoga to Cultivate Compassion
• Yoga Medicine Online: Yin Yoga to Nourish the Water Element
• Connect with Shannon Stephens:

Facebook | Instagram | This Land Yoga

“Let’s see how we can sharpen our ability to be really observant and really connected to those quieter sensations.” – Shannon Stephens