A Unique Approach to Yin Yoga Training

At Akram Yoga, we offer a distinctive approach to Yin Yoga teacher training that you won’t find anywhere else. While Yin Yoga is often seen as a gentle, restorative practice, it’s not just about passively holding poses and hoping for the best outcomes.

Science and anecdotal experience shows that simply getting into a pose and staying there isn’t enough to truly reap the benefits. Our bodies are complex systems, and to achieve real healing, we need to go beyond the surface.

In many traditional approaches, Yin Yoga is practiced with the idea that just by holding the poses, you’ll naturally experience deep relaxation and healing. However, modern science and our understanding of the body suggest otherwise. Our muscles, fascia, and even our nervous system require more than just a passive stretch—they need the right conditions to release, relax, and heal.

This is where our training takes a transformative turn. Course leader Zahir Akram believes that understanding the basics of human physiology and the respiratory system is essential to unlocking the true potential of Yin Yoga. As B.K.S. Iyengar famously noted, "The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in." Think of it like tuning an instrument before playing; if the strings are too tight or too loose, the music will never resonate as it should. Similarly, without understanding how our bodies and breath work together, Yin Yoga can easily become a passive practice—more like lying around than true restoration.

However, when we bring awareness to our physiological systems and the power of breath, Yin Yoga becomes something much deeper. It’s not just about finding a comfy spot to stretch—it’s about creating an internal environment where real healing can happen.

Imagine your body is a garden. The poses in Yin Yoga are like the seeds you plant, but just planting seeds isn’t enough. They need the right conditions to grow—sunlight, water, and, most importantly, the breath. Breathing deeply and consciously is like giving those seeds the perfect amount of water and sunlight, allowing them to flourish. When you breathe deeply, you’re delivering oxygen to every cell, fueling the process of cellular healing. After all, as the saying goes, "The presence of oxygen is the absence of disease." This is where the magic happens—your cells start to repair and regenerate, bringing about true, lasting change in your body.

Deep, or slow and controlled breathing also helps take out the 'weeds'—the stress and toxins that can choke the life out of those seeds. When you breathe mindfully, you’re not just filling your lungs; you’re creating a space where your body can relax, restore, and rejuvenate. As the saying goes, "Where attention goes, energy flows." By focusing on your breath, you direct energy toward healing every part of your being.

In our training, you’ll not only learn the poses but also delve into the simple, yet profound science that makes these poses truly effective. By mastering the basics of breathing and understanding how your body works, you’ll gain the tools to guide your students beyond mere relaxation. You’ll lead them toward genuine transformation, helping them plant the seeds of healing and nurture them into full bloom.

This is the essence of Yin Yoga at Akram Yoga—a practice that’s deeply connected to the rhythm of your breath and the wisdom of your body, creating an internal space where healing and transformation can thrive.

Zahir Akram - Eternal Seeker

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Embrace the opportunity to deepen your love for yoga.

Interested in deepening your practice or teaching skills?

Our online training courses are now available, offering comprehensive content on anatomy, biomechanics, and yoga philosophy. These courses are designed to support students and yoga teachers in their continued development.

We also offer in-house Yoga Teacher Training here at our studio in Addlestone, Surrey, UK.

For more information on our online courses, mentoring or to book in-house training, email Zahir.

Zahir@AkramYoga.co.uk