Rocket Yoga ? Yin Yoga ? Vinyasa/Ashtanga/.. ? … Many styles of yoga but which should I try ?

Even when people have a clear distinction between Pilates and Yoga (simplistically; one has a physical focus, the other tends to have a spiritual focus as well as body and mind) . There are now so many styles of yoga that the choice can perhaps be bewildering.

So what is ‘The Rocket’ ?  

There are those of us who love ‘the rocket’ 😍🙏💕… but we are all unique and should celebrate that .. so we accept it’s not for everyone ..

Where does ‘Rocket Yoga’ come from ?

Intro… Larry Schultz

The ‘Bad Boy of Ashtanga’

Larry was affectionately known as the ‘Bad Boy of Ashtanga’ because after spending time with Pattabhi Jois learning classical Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Larry became frustrated with not being allowed to move onto the Second Series and practice other poses besides the Primary Series.  He broke away from the ordered system but took many of the elements with him in his practice that became one of the main roots of ‘Power Yoga.’  Larry’s rebellious spirit showed up fully in the way he lived his life.  One of his more important gifts to all his students was his sincere authenticity.  At a time when many yoga teachers were becoming ‘holier and ‘more pure’ than the next’ Larry was who he was and earned the deepest respect, from many, for that.  He knew what worked for him and wanted to share it.  Larry spent time in the mid 1990s touring with the Grateful Dead as the band’s personal yoga teacher.  Band member Bob Weir named the practice the “Rocket’ as his belief, shared, was that it ‘got you there faster’ (in terms of flexibility, stamina, strength, centred-ness …)

Who might / might not like Rocket Yoga?

So if you think you’d like quite a strong, fun, physical, playful and dynamic practice –        A flowing, moving mindful meditation, then Rocket Yoga might be for you.

What is Yin Yoga ?

Yoga has been around for thousands of years but wasn’t introduced to the West until the late 19th / Early 20th Century.  In the 1980s,  yoga became popular as a system of physical exercise across the Western world.  In earlier traditions, however, it is more than physical exercise; it has a meditative and spiritual core.

Perhaps is was inevitable then that the more spiritual and meditative aspects would be embraced and incorporated back into the practice – providing a balance to the ‘Yang’ like lifestyles of ‘rushing’ , ‘achieving’, ‘striving’ ; predominant in Western Culture.

So enter ‘Yin’ … a welcome ‘balance’ / retreat ..

Paulie Zink. yogi and martial artist is often credited with introducing Yin to the West in the 1970’s.   It’s evolved significantly since then being popularised by Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers, who infused more Traditional Chinese Medicine and anatomical science into the practice.

Yin is now recognised as a slower-paced, more meditative version of the popular physical and spiritual discipline of yoga.  Poses are held for a long period of time (typically three to five minutes or longer) to target the deeper connective tissues (fascia) rather than focusing on the muscles.  As a result, the asanas are more passive holds, with little muscular engagement offering release in the tissues and all this brings…

The issues are in the tissues…

Some of the benefits of Yin:

• Targets connective tissues including fascia, bones and joints
• Increases circulation
• Reduces stress
• Balances internal organs and improves flow of prana (energy)
• Balances our yang (dynamic, energetic) or physical yoga practice
• Relieves tension
• Improves flexibility
• Encourages mindfulness and meditation

Who might / might not like Yin Yoga ?

Uum .. It’s probable those that ‘need’ it most are those that would ‘resist’ it most …. (I base this on my own experience)

.. . If you are anxious, impulsive, erratic, restless and struggle to be ‘still’ and find it difficult to meditate…

….You might not recognise (or ‘like’) it yet .. but Yin Yoga could be just the thing for you:

A remedy to our fast-paced lifestyles, Yin encourages people to slow down and immerse in the kind of stillness that can lead to the expansion of consciousness.  Influenced by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which utilise the concept that the body contains meridians or invisible energy highways, that carry Qi (energy). The physical postures of Yin work with these meridians to improve health and wellbeing.

Athletes that spend a lot of time building strength in their training also benefit from a Yin practice, bringing balance to their training and bodies.

Western science is beginning to discover the impact of the practice on both a physical and psychological level.  Yin creates the space to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (our rest and digest) and the longer holds work to unwind the body’s deeper layers of fascia (as opposed to the muscles).   Working with these layers, creates the conditions to release deeply held tension in the body and mind.