Yin vs. restorative: what is the difference?
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Two slow classes, two different jobs
From the doorway they look identical: dim room, people on the floor, nobody moving. Then you take both and discover they are almost opposites. The confusion is understandable and worth clearing up, because picking the wrong one is a good way to conclude that slow classes are not for you.
How to choose
If you only remember one thing from this piece, make it the list below.
- Stiff hips, tight hamstrings, a body that feels stuck: yin.
- Exhausted, wired, sleeping badly: restorative.
- Recovering from injury or illness: restorative first.
- Training hard elsewhere and needing range: yin.
- Genuinely unsure: restorative, and ask afterwards.
- Curious but short of time: yin, which asks less set-up of you.
- Coming back after months away: restorative, then yin a fortnight later.
Neither choice is permanent. Most people end up with both in the week, for entirely different reasons.
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Yin: mild stress, held long
Yin uses shapes that place gentle, sustained tension on connective tissue, held for three to five minutes. There is sensation. Sometimes quite a lot of it. Props support the shape but do not remove the load, because the load is the point: fascia and joint capsule adapt to long, moderate stress in a way muscle does not.
Yin asks your tissue to change. Restorative asks your nervous system to stand down. Both are useful; they are not interchangeable.
Restorative: no stress at all
Restorative removes load entirely. Every shape is built with bolsters and blankets so completely that nothing has to work, and holds run from five to fifteen minutes. If you feel a stretch in a restorative class, the set-up needs another blanket. The aim is not tissue change but a shift in the nervous system.
Practical notes
Both classes cool you down, so both need layers and socks. Yin is fine to take after a strong practice; restorative is better on its own, or at the end of a long day. Neither should hurt, and in both cases coming out slowly matters more than getting in deeply.
If you have written off slow classes after one bad experience, it is worth checking which one you took. Plenty of people who dislike yin love restorative, and a fair number the other way round.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked
Questions
Still have a question?
Send us a message and we'll come back to you within one business day.
Do I need experience to start?
No. Every class is taught with options rather than expectations, and our Fundamentals and Gentle sessions assume no prior practice at all. Tell your teacher it's your first time and they will look after you.
What should I bring to my first class?
Comfortable clothes and a water bottle. Mats, blocks, straps and bolsters are all provided, and there are showers and lockers in the changing rooms.
Can I come without a membership?
Yes. Drop-in classes and pay-as-you-go class packs sit alongside our memberships, so you can practise as often or as rarely as suits you.
How early should I arrive?
Fifteen minutes before your first class, and around five for every class after that. It gives you time to check in, settle and set up your mat without rushing.
Can I pause or cancel my membership?
Pause or cancel anytime with 30 days notice. There are no joining fees and no lock-in contracts, and any unused class credits stay on your account.
Do you teach pregnant or injured students?
We do. Several of our teachers are qualified in pre and postnatal practice and in therapeutic yoga. Let us know before class so your teacher can adapt the session for you.
