Rejuvenate Your Upper Body: A Gentle Hatha & Yin Yoga Class to Relieve Tension

Gentle Hatha & Yin Yoga demonstrated by Carole Carter in the Living Lotus Online studio.

Gentle Hatha & Yin

Join Carole for this replenishing and rejuvenating Hatha and Yin Yoga class. This class will assist in reducing upper back stiffness and relieving tension in the neck and shoulders. It’s also a great practice to help improve posture and work on correcting any rounding of the upper back and shoulders.

This 30-minute gentle Hatha and Yin Yoga video, led by Carole from Living Lotus Online, presents a practice designed to target and relieve tension in the upper back, shoulders, and neck.

Ideally you’ll have two yoga blocks and a strap on hand, although they are not essential for participation. Throughout the session, Carole emphasizes the importance of listening to your body and offers modifications to poses for various abilities. Making a mindful connection with what your body is telling you throughout the class is essential in order to cultivate a practice that suits your body’s unique needs.

Hatha Flow:

The first half of the class focuses on Hatha Yoga postures. Carole guides viewers through a series of gentle movements designed to warm up the body and increase flexibility. These include:

  • Arm circles: Loosening the shoulders and upper back.
  • Seated twists: Targeting the spine and core.
  • Cat-cow: Warming up the spine and improving mobility.
  • Plank variations: Strengthening the core and upper body.
  • Downward-facing dog: Lengthening the spine and hamstrings.
  • Lunges: Stretching the hips and glutes.
  • Backbends: Opening the chest and shoulders.

Yin Yoga:

The second half of the class transitions into slower Yin Yoga poses, which are held for longer durations to target deeper connective tissues. Carole offers variations for each pose to ensure accessibility and comfort:

  • Puppy dog pose: Lengthening the spine and shoulders. Modifications include substituting child’s pose for lower back support.
  • Sphinx pose: Opening the chest and shoulders.
  • Supported fish pose: Using blocks to gently extend the neck and chest.

Mind-Body Connection:

Throughout the class, Carole reminds viewers to focus on their breath and encourages mindful awareness of their bodies. She emphasizes the importance of proper form and avoiding any discomfort during the poses. This mindful approach to practice will ensure you build sustainable strength and flexibility, to create the mobility and stability to support your daily activities.

The session concludes with a few moments of quiet reflection, allowing participants to appreciate the benefits of their practice and the time dedicated to self-care.

This video is suitable for individuals of all fitness levels seeking a gentle yet effective Yoga practice to relieve tension in the upper body and promote relaxation.

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