60-Min Full-Body Yin

What this Yin class is

A full hour of Yin to stretch you from head to toe. We open with a settling breathing exercise, then move slowly through the whole body — waking up the feet in Toe Squat and Ankle Stretch, opening the hips and hamstrings in Dragonfly, drawing the shoulders and outer hips together in Cow-Face, easing the thighs in Saddle, and wringing out the spine in a Reclined Twist before we rest. It’s the fifth class in the Create Peaceful Moments series — an invitation to come to your mat once a week and give yourself a whole hour of calm. Come as you are — every pose has a gentler option and a deeper one.

Who this class is for

Anyone who wants a proper, unhurried full-body stretch and an hour to slow right down. It’s lovely at the end of a busy week, or any time you want to trade a bit of tension for some peace. New to Yin? Read the pose notes below first, then follow along at your own pace — the hold times are only suggestions.

What you need

Your mat, and a warm, quiet space where you can be still for an hour. You’ll want a strap, belt or anything similar for the Cow-Face arms, and a cushion or blanket nearby is lovely for extra support. Press pause whenever you need to.

How Yin Yoga works — three simple cues

• Find your edge. Come to about 60–80% of your capacity — a real stretch, but never forcing or straining.
• Hold for time. Yin poses are held a while — usually a couple of minutes — and the length is where the change happens. Come out sooner if you need to.
• Be still. Settle body and mind, and let the shape do the work while you rest your attention on your breath.