Yin Yoga Podcast

Season 7 Ep. 12Today 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, passionImbalance signs: Irritability, tight muscles, headaches, PMS, feeling stuckKey Functions:Governs decision-making and courageExecutes the liver's visionCourage = clarity + actionImbalance signs: Indecision, timidity, difficulty taking actionLiver = the dreamer, the architectGallbladder = the general who makes it soLiver without gallbladder = frustrated dreamerGallbladder without liver = action with no soulTogether = 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@YinYogaPodcastor comment on YouTube/Spotify/ My BlogAlso 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 glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang 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 regulationI 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 glance⁠Yoga Teachers:⁠ Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training⁠ at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my ⁠Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom⁠To subscribe to my ⁠On-Demand Video Library⁠:⁠Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley⁠⁠Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra ⁠Find me on Instagram ⁠@nykdanuyoga⁠⁠@YinYogaPodcast⁠

Season 7 EP. 10Should 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. 9Yin 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.comWant to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast

Season 7 | EP. 8So I got asked to break down saddle pose, and honestly, I was excited but also like... this is gonna be tough to explain just through audio. That's why I partnered with Tummee to create a visual companion PDF with tons of variations you can actually see.In this episode, I walk through everything from basic hero pose modifications to full saddle alternatives. We're talking blocks, bolsters, blankets, straps, even upside-down chairs. Plus, I cover what to do when saddle just isn't happening for someone, no matter how many props you throw at them.Whether you're teaching saddle for the quad stretch, the backbend, or both, I've got you covered with options for everybody. This isn't beginner stuff, this is the master class version with real solutions for real students.Grab the free visual guide here: https://www.tummee.com/yoga-sequence/TeyWL And let me know in the comments what pose you want me to break down next.Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast

Season 7 | Ep. 7I still can't quite believe we made it to 100 episodes. Honestly, I wasn't sure we'd get here; my biggest fear was always running out of topics. But here we are, and I'm so grateful.For this milestone episode, I borrowed an idea from my friend Addie and asked some past guests to share why they practice Yin Yoga. The responses were beautiful and reminded me of why I fell in love with this practice in the first place.My teacher, Paul Grilley said it perfectly: Yin is the ideal way to prepare the body and train the mind to sit still comfortably.Addie talked about how Yin bridged her yoga practice with her Buddhist meditation practice.Karina called it "a rebellion against the world telling me I have to move fast and keep producing."And Bernie? He said Yin gave him the other half of his practice, the stillness and mindfulness he was missing.And there are other nuggets for past guests, too!I want to hear from you, let me know why you practice Yin Yoga, leave me a comment on my blog, on spotify or if you are listening on Apple send me a dm on Instagram.Find the links to my guests and their episodes here:  https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/a-yin-yoga-podcast-episode-100/Regular Podcast Links for SpotifyWant to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast

Season 7 | Ep.6 Year of the Fire Horse 🐴🔥 | Chinese New Year with Dougal MeachemI'm chatting with Dougal Meachem about Chinese New Year and what the Year of the Fire Horse means for us. Turns out, it's maximum yang energy – think Red Bull meets bungee jumping.We explore the mythology behind the zodiac animals, explain why the lunar calendar actually makes sense, and discuss how these ancient cycles relate to yin yoga practice. Plus, why making resolutions in January is backwards (spring is when you should plant those seeds).What we talk about:How the zodiac animals got their orderFire Horse energy vs Year of the SnakeWorking WITH the seasons instead of against themWhy rest in winter, create in springDhugal's previous interview: Dancing with the Tao https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-and-taoism/Find Dhugal at https://www.dhugalmeachem.comReady for Fire Horse energy? Let me know in the comments 🔥Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast

Season 7 | Ep. 5How Yin Yoga Teaches Us to Be Kinder HumansWhat if I told you the biggest benefit of Yin Yoga isn't flexibility or pain relief—it's becoming a kinder human?In this episode, I share 10 ways a regular Yin Yoga practice transforms how we show up in the world:✨ Meeting yourself without judgment✨ Staying present through discomfort✨ Softening the habit of force✨ Respecting everyone's unique edges✨ Learning to witness instead of react✨ Normalizing vulnerability✨ Developing patience with timing✨ Separating sensation from story✨ Releasing attachment to performance✨ Cultivating steadiness in stillnessIf your Yoga practice isn't affecting your life off the mat, you're not really practicing Yoga. Yin does this better than anything else because of the time, the quiet, and the stillness.The world could use a lot more kind humans. 🙏Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast

Season 7 | Ep. 4In this episode, I'm diving into one of my favourite topics: why teaching yoga functionally is such a game-changer compared to the old-school alignment rules we've all inherited.I'll share my own journey from being an alignment-obsessed Iyengar teacher to having my mind blown by Paul Grilley's work on skeletal variation. Turns out, we're not all built the same on the inside, shocker, right?I break down real examples from my teaching (like that time dragonfly pose did the complete opposite of what my teacher said it would) and explain why cues like "bring your toes to point at the ceiling" or "never let your knee go past your ankle" don't actually work for everyone.You'll learn:- Why your students aren't "doing it wrong"—their bones are just different- How to stop over-cueing and start teaching what the poses actually do- Practical ways to make your classes more accessible and way less injury-prone- Why I now teach mountain pose completely differently than I used to- Whether you teach Yin or any other style, this is about serving your students better by ditching the "one right way" mentality. Want 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 (affiliate link)Find me on Instagram Nyk Danu Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/nykdanuyoga/Yin Yoga Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/yinyogapodcast/

Season 7 | Ep. 3When Less Is More: Do We Really Need to Go Deeper?Do your students really need to go "deeper" in their Yin poses? In this episode, I challenge the common teaching habit of encouraging students to go deeper partway through a pose—and explain why this well-meaning cue might actually undermine the true purpose of yin yoga.We'll explore:✨ Why "going deeper" isn't the goal of yoga (or yin yoga)✨ How this language reinforces goal-driven, achievement-based thinking✨ What to say instead to encourage present-moment awareness✨ Why functional yoga is about sensation, not destination✨ Alternative cues that honour where students are right nowWhether you're a yin teacher looking to refine your language or a practitioner curious about the philosophy behind the practice, this episode will help you rethink what it means to "go deeper."🎧 Mentioned in this episode • What to Do When You Don't Feel a Yin Pose• Dear Yoga Teacher, Please Shut Up📚 Spring 2026 Therapeutic Yin Teacher Training is now open for registration! https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/💜 Support the podcast: Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, share with a friend, or visit the PayPal link 👇🏻Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast