What do you think?
Rate this book
Guía completa de Yin yoga
Bernie Clark's The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga provides an in-depth look at the philosophy and practice of Yin Yoga with illustrated sections on how to practice Yin Yoga, including descriptions with photographs of 30 Yin Yoga asanas.
All forms of yoga can provide benefits physically, emotionally, and mentally, however Yin Yoga works the deeper levels of the body/heart/mind: the connective tissues of the ligaments, fascia, joints and bones and the energetic channels of the meridians, nerves and blood system. One big difference noticed by students of Yin Yoga is the long-held, passive nature of the posture, which gives time for a deeper journey to unfold, a journey into the meditative aspects of yoga, a bridge to living life mindfully.
Clark presents comprehensive information on how to do the practice, including a deep look inside over two dozen Yin Yoga postures showing the benefit of the pose, how to get into and out of the pose, contraindications and warnings for those who may have trouble with particular aspects of the posture, and other important information. The benefits are explored in three main sections: the physiological benefits, the energetic benefits and the mental/emotional benefits.
All forms of yoga can provide benefits physically, emotionally, and mentally, however Yin Yoga works the deeper levels of the body/heart/mind: the connective tissues of the ligaments, fascia, joints and bones and the energetic channels of the meridians, nerves and blood system. One big difference noticed by students of Yin Yoga is the long-held, passive nature of the posture, which gives time for a deeper journey to unfold, a journey into the meditative aspects of yoga, a bridge to living life mindfully.
Clark presents comprehensive information on how to do the practice, including a deep look inside over two dozen Yin Yoga postures showing the benefit of the pose, how to get into and out of the pose, contraindications and warnings for those who may have trouble with particular aspects of the posture, and other important information. The benefits are explored in three main sections: the physiological benefits, the energetic benefits and the mental/emotional benefits.
398 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2011
769 people are currently reading
2349 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
February 20, 2017
Reread update:
I had the opportunity to study with the author for a one-week intensive, and we used this book (and many other resources) as texts for the course. I learned more than I can verbalize here, but I highly recommend this book for the fundamentals and philosophy behind the yin practice, and his new book Your Body, Your Yoga: Learn Alignment Cues That Are Skillful, Safe, and Best Suited To You for depth and follow-up.
2015 original review:
Everything I was hoping for and more. Good intro for the first half with illustrations of the postures, and the second half got into the details of the anatomy and physiology, as well as all the philosophy and tradition behind Taoist yoga.
Fabulous resource.
I had the opportunity to study with the author for a one-week intensive, and we used this book (and many other resources) as texts for the course. I learned more than I can verbalize here, but I highly recommend this book for the fundamentals and philosophy behind the yin practice, and his new book Your Body, Your Yoga: Learn Alignment Cues That Are Skillful, Safe, and Best Suited To You for depth and follow-up.
2015 original review:
Everything I was hoping for and more. Good intro for the first half with illustrations of the postures, and the second half got into the details of the anatomy and physiology, as well as all the philosophy and tradition behind Taoist yoga.
Fabulous resource.
July 11, 2021
An excellent guide to yin yoga as taught by Bernie Clark who learned yin yoga from his teachers Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers.
Bernie made the decision to focus more on a functional approach to yin yoga, thereby getting rid of some of the philosophy and history of yoga that he describes in Yinsights.
To be honest, this is a great resource for yin yoga teachers. Helpful information on about 20 or so yin poses.
In my original review, I was a bit frustrated to read in the Preface to the Second Edition that he got rid of some of the philosophy and history but I think this just means I have to get Yinsights.
Bernie made the decision to focus more on a functional approach to yin yoga, thereby getting rid of some of the philosophy and history of yoga that he describes in Yinsights.
To be honest, this is a great resource for yin yoga teachers. Helpful information on about 20 or so yin poses.
In my original review, I was a bit frustrated to read in the Preface to the Second Edition that he got rid of some of the philosophy and history but I think this just means I have to get Yinsights.
March 16, 2013
Compared to Sarah Powers' Insight Yoga, Bernie Clark's Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga is less about the yin/yang of it and entirely about the yin of it. It covers much of the same info that Insight Yoga does and goes far deeper into the science and related anatomy. (Clark is a scientist.) It not only explains what do do, it tells why. There is also a short history on the practice of Yin Yoga - how it all started - in its current form, that is - it has always been with us.`It will take a while to carefully read all the material.
Read
February 10, 2021This book is clearly written for someone who has been to at least a few classes and hopefully has some grasp of science and biology. I read it for the latter reasons and thought it to be well done, albeit slightly disorganized and slightly repetitive. The meridian explanations could have been skipped as well because the placement explanations are not helpful in the least. However I loved the book, the initial explanation of poses is great, and the flows are well laid out so I would recommend this to someone who has done these poses in a class but who wants to know more rather than for the a absolute beginner.
July 18, 2024
Didn't put this on my Goodreads initially cause I hadn't expected to read it cover to cover but it was very digestible and I definitely see myself rereading certain chapters. It has a great breakdown of postures but also a good overview of the practice as a whole and offers perspectives from different schools of thought.
September 22, 2016
This book gives details on how Yin Yoga is developed and its intended usage and applications. The writing is competent but could have benefited to be reduced into a slimmer book.
February 6, 2015
I especially appreciated the chapters on special situations and using Yin Yoga therapeutically. Overall, a well-written and complete guide to Yin Yoga.
August 17, 2020
This book is okay, a useful reference - but not one that struck me as OUTSTANDING. I wouldn't have bought it except that it was assigned for a class at the same time that I was assigned Power's "Insight Yoga." Between the two I found this one more useful. Power's book organizes chapters by meridian - giving each chapter a sequence for that meridian, Clark organizes generally pose by pose. Although to be fair at the end of his book Clark explains how to sequence and at the end of Powers' book she tells you sequencing is largely a personal preference thing, (intimating that you don't HAVE to do her sequences verbatim.)
Why I find his approach more useable:
1) If you've got a good handle of the basics of sequencing (which he provides) you can conquer the world. If all you have is a handful of sample sequences it is harder to figure out what makes them work and why things are in that order
2) In Powers' book she starts each chapter with ***paraphrasing here*** with this meridian being the MOST important. How call ALL of them be so important ? And if they are, taking her at her word, this makes it really hard to decide what I are supposed to do every day if I don't have time to do every single sequence. His book strives to make a more basic and less esoteric point: that holding poses for longer than normally happens in classes billed as "flow" is good for you. If you buy that, and I am not saying you have to, Clark then provides all the tools you need to practice yin by yourself or to lead a yin class for others.
3) Clark advises you don't need that many poses, i.e. "20 is plenty" and focuses on mainly on them, although he does mention a few other things. By contrast, Powers overloaded her book with the importance of every thing: pranayama, meditation, diet, spirituality, asana, meridians etc. I think even if you like that sort of whole scale yogic approach to life there are better ways to cover all those bases than Powers' book, because in covering everything she does a superficial job of each item.
4) Lastly, and most importantly I find Clark to be the sole voice in modern yoga to admit that many of the specific health benefits touted by instructor after instructor are anecdotal. Personally I really cringed when my yoga teacher would claim a certain pose "cured" breast Cancer or another prevented miscarriage. In my classes when I teach I never make such claims because despite having been taught that sort of "science" it seems irresponsible to repeat. Not one of my yoga teachers could cite sources so I was loathe to pass on their questionable "information."
One of the other reviewers of this book complained that there were no modifications. I disagree with that assertion. The author has several models for each pose. The models vary in size and shape and they DO show various versions of each pose. There are many options. If you've never done any yoga anywhere and were afraid to try this is a good book for you. Also if you have tried yoga and found you did not care for the pop music or the skin tight clothing - this book will give you all the information you need to create a meditative yoga class of your own.
This is a useful book not just for the home practitioner but also for teachers. If you're a teacher and you're still using this method of sequencing that amounts to whatever use the information in the book to build sequences that are logical and make people feel better.
Okay, so now you may be wondering why if I make all these points I didn't rate the book a ten. It's because I try to save my perfect scores for books that are really fine, stupendous, above and beyond. This book is good - but so are lots of yoga books and I do read lots of yoga books. The more I read the more they seem pretty much the same. This one doesn't really tread any new ground, so I find it inappropriate to put it anywhere above average. Please don't troll me because you love this book. You are entitled to your opinion and a better use of your time would be to write a highly positive review rather than calling me names or accusing me of not having read the book. Join me in keeping the trolls off of the Goodreads site. Thank you
Why I find his approach more useable:
1) If you've got a good handle of the basics of sequencing (which he provides) you can conquer the world. If all you have is a handful of sample sequences it is harder to figure out what makes them work and why things are in that order
2) In Powers' book she starts each chapter with ***paraphrasing here*** with this meridian being the MOST important. How call ALL of them be so important ? And if they are, taking her at her word, this makes it really hard to decide what I are supposed to do every day if I don't have time to do every single sequence. His book strives to make a more basic and less esoteric point: that holding poses for longer than normally happens in classes billed as "flow" is good for you. If you buy that, and I am not saying you have to, Clark then provides all the tools you need to practice yin by yourself or to lead a yin class for others.
3) Clark advises you don't need that many poses, i.e. "20 is plenty" and focuses on mainly on them, although he does mention a few other things. By contrast, Powers overloaded her book with the importance of every thing: pranayama, meditation, diet, spirituality, asana, meridians etc. I think even if you like that sort of whole scale yogic approach to life there are better ways to cover all those bases than Powers' book, because in covering everything she does a superficial job of each item.
4) Lastly, and most importantly I find Clark to be the sole voice in modern yoga to admit that many of the specific health benefits touted by instructor after instructor are anecdotal. Personally I really cringed when my yoga teacher would claim a certain pose "cured" breast Cancer or another prevented miscarriage. In my classes when I teach I never make such claims because despite having been taught that sort of "science" it seems irresponsible to repeat. Not one of my yoga teachers could cite sources so I was loathe to pass on their questionable "information."
One of the other reviewers of this book complained that there were no modifications. I disagree with that assertion. The author has several models for each pose. The models vary in size and shape and they DO show various versions of each pose. There are many options. If you've never done any yoga anywhere and were afraid to try this is a good book for you. Also if you have tried yoga and found you did not care for the pop music or the skin tight clothing - this book will give you all the information you need to create a meditative yoga class of your own.
This is a useful book not just for the home practitioner but also for teachers. If you're a teacher and you're still using this method of sequencing that amounts to whatever use the information in the book to build sequences that are logical and make people feel better.
Okay, so now you may be wondering why if I make all these points I didn't rate the book a ten. It's because I try to save my perfect scores for books that are really fine, stupendous, above and beyond. This book is good - but so are lots of yoga books and I do read lots of yoga books. The more I read the more they seem pretty much the same. This one doesn't really tread any new ground, so I find it inappropriate to put it anywhere above average. Please don't troll me because you love this book. You are entitled to your opinion and a better use of your time would be to write a highly positive review rather than calling me names or accusing me of not having read the book. Join me in keeping the trolls off of the Goodreads site. Thank you
October 2, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, it does a nice job of explaining the history, the practice, the philosophy and the benefits of Yin Yoga.
On the other hand, the claims about alternative medicine are rather dubious, and there was some bias in selecting those. It is not quite obvious either how each asana is related to the meridians that are described. I knew already the author by his incredibly detailed books of the series "Your Body, Your Yoga" which are much more sourced.
On the whole, I think the most interesting part (for me) was the description of asanas, which appear in fact also on the site of Yin Yoga ( https://yinyoga.com/yinsights/asanas/ ).
Finally, is the guide complete? No, I would rather say it is complete for beginners.
On the whole, it was nice, and surely helpful and I am better for having read it.
On the one hand, it does a nice job of explaining the history, the practice, the philosophy and the benefits of Yin Yoga.
On the other hand, the claims about alternative medicine are rather dubious, and there was some bias in selecting those. It is not quite obvious either how each asana is related to the meridians that are described. I knew already the author by his incredibly detailed books of the series "Your Body, Your Yoga" which are much more sourced.
On the whole, I think the most interesting part (for me) was the description of asanas, which appear in fact also on the site of Yin Yoga ( https://yinyoga.com/yinsights/asanas/ ).
Finally, is the guide complete? No, I would rather say it is complete for beginners.
On the whole, it was nice, and surely helpful and I am better for having read it.
May 30, 2020
Odejmuję gwiazdkę za polskie tłumaczenie, które pozostawia wiele do życzenia. Momentami jeden wielki fejspalm 🤦♀️ (np. gdy tłumaczka pisze o rozciąganiu mięśni skośnych... żołądka).
Najbardziej przydatna część książki to ta, w której opisane są pozycje, ale dokładnie te same opisy znajdują się na stronie autora.
Najbardziej przydatna część książki to ta, w której opisane są pozycje, ale dokładnie te same opisy znajdują się na stronie autora.
December 22, 2012
The text is too repetitive. No modified poses included for those who have yet to achieve perfection in their yoga practice.
September 15, 2024
Superveel interessante informatie, heel uitgebreid. Veel verschillende opties van houdingen zodat je zelfstandig een heel eind kan komen met dit boek.
April 22, 2021
I feel grateful about this book. You can find anything about Yin yoga and actually all kind of yoga practices in it.
Look again at the yin/yang symbol here: notice once more that black, yin dot within the white, yang swirl. This is the still point. Consider a powerful, destructive hurricane: at the center is the eye—the point of absolute stillness. Think of a top spinning at high speed: at the fastest spin, the top is completely motionless. Now think of all the drama and activities happening in your life right now: where is your still point? Where do you go to find the eye of your storm?
We can practice finding the still-point at the center of our drama when we hold a Yin Yoga pose long enough that we become challenged. The urge to move is growing stronger and our mind is chattering but we continue to breathe with awareness until finally, the eye appears. The winds are still flowing furiously all around us, but we have become calm.
When we practice, finding calmness in the midst of a fierce storm during our yoga practice we learn how to find that same centered still-point at other times in our lives, when drama threatens to overwhelm us. When we are calm, our vision expands and we can decide more skillfully the course of action we wish to follow. When we are stressed, when the sympathetic nervous system is active, when our mind is frantic with thoughts, when our breath is quick, shallow, or uneven, our vision narrows: we are impelled to take the first and quickest solution in front of us. We have no ability to seek a wiser path; we simply react instead of reflect. When we practice mindfulness, at first within our yoga practice so that we learn how to also practice during the rest of our life, we learn to pause and see what is actually going on, and thus we are open to taking wiser actions.
Look again at the yin/yang symbol here: notice once more that black, yin dot within the white, yang swirl. This is the still point. Consider a powerful, destructive hurricane: at the center is the eye—the point of absolute stillness. Think of a top spinning at high speed: at the fastest spin, the top is completely motionless. Now think of all the drama and activities happening in your life right now: where is your still point? Where do you go to find the eye of your storm?
We can practice finding the still-point at the center of our drama when we hold a Yin Yoga pose long enough that we become challenged. The urge to move is growing stronger and our mind is chattering but we continue to breathe with awareness until finally, the eye appears. The winds are still flowing furiously all around us, but we have become calm.
When we practice, finding calmness in the midst of a fierce storm during our yoga practice we learn how to find that same centered still-point at other times in our lives, when drama threatens to overwhelm us. When we are calm, our vision expands and we can decide more skillfully the course of action we wish to follow. When we are stressed, when the sympathetic nervous system is active, when our mind is frantic with thoughts, when our breath is quick, shallow, or uneven, our vision narrows: we are impelled to take the first and quickest solution in front of us. We have no ability to seek a wiser path; we simply react instead of reflect. When we practice mindfulness, at first within our yoga practice so that we learn how to also practice during the rest of our life, we learn to pause and see what is actually going on, and thus we are open to taking wiser actions.
April 24, 2020
Yoganın fiziksel, psikolojik, enerjik boyutlarını geniş bir çerçevede ele alan, kapsamlı bir kitap. Çevirisi çok iyi, akıcı olduğu için okuması son derece kolay. Elinizde bu kaynak varsa evde kolaylıkla kendi kendinize yin yoga pratiği yapabilirsiniz. Hem pozların detaylı anlatımları hem de temalı örnek seriler (örneğin omurga, dalak ya da mide meridyeni odaklı) mevcut. Bugün YANG yoga pratiğini neden YİN yoga ile dengelememiz gerektiğini binlerce yıllık yoga tarihi içinde inceliyor. Okurken kimi zaman bilgi tazeledim, kimi zaman ilham aldım, kimi zamansa yeni bir perspektif kazandım. Sadece kitabı okumak bile zihnimde meditatif bir etki yarattı diyebilirim ve YİN yoga ilgi alanınız olmasa bile YOGA ile ilgileniyorsanız bu kitabı okumanızı önerebilirim. Ama yayıncıya 2 küçük eleştirim olacak: İlki, resim altı bilgilerinin eksik oluşu. Pratik kullanımda son derece kolaylık sağlayabilecek bu detayı neden atlamışlar anlamadım. İkinci eleştirim ise İNDEKS kısmına yönelik. İndekste sıralanan kelimeler ve temalar İngilizce başlıklara göre bırakılmış; o nedenle de aradığınızı bulmak neredeyse imkansız, çünkü alfabetik sırayı takip etmiyor. Pingala Yayınevi'nin kitabın yeni baskılarında okuyucularını gözetecek bu düzenlemeleri yapmasını dilerim.
May 6, 2020
Love Bernie and his teaching style. And he is even more comical in person.
Yes, No, Maybe🙂
Yes, No, Maybe🙂
March 20, 2023
Even if you’re not a yin yoga teacher, highly recommend this book. I learned so much about the anatomy, energetics, and physiology of our bodies and yoga. I will revisit this book often to plan my classes and refresh my knowledge.
February 19, 2019
A great book gathering the foundations of yin yoga. You get a short summary of the history, then a chapter on how/why-basics before listing the asanas and offering a few suggested flows.
If you want rigorous information about TCM, meridians and the energy aspects this is not your book. But if you want a practical introduction with tangible tips I would totally recommend this book.
I don't agree on the "fabulous effects on yin tissue" that can "only" be achieved by yin yoga but to each it's own.
If you want rigorous information about TCM, meridians and the energy aspects this is not your book. But if you want a practical introduction with tangible tips I would totally recommend this book.
I don't agree on the "fabulous effects on yin tissue" that can "only" be achieved by yin yoga but to each it's own.
August 30, 2020
If you are really into yoga, this book is amazing. The idea of yin yoga is to get into deep poses and stay there for 3 - 5 minutes. For everyone, this idea sounds awful at first. For a lot of people, the concept of yoga is difficult and hard to get into. And then, yin yoga. Going into a pose and just...you know...sitting still.
But this book is great. It really introduces the concepts and the practice. It helps with tips and things to remember to make the practice easier. I have been participating in yin yoga for a while and this book still helped me learn a lot of new things.
So if you are interested in yin, this is a great book for you.
But this book is great. It really introduces the concepts and the practice. It helps with tips and things to remember to make the practice easier. I have been participating in yin yoga for a while and this book still helped me learn a lot of new things.
So if you are interested in yin, this is a great book for you.
October 19, 2014
Thorough and informative. Very interesting and well organized.
May 12, 2016
What a fantastic read. I may not quite fully understand the organ meridian theory, but my understanding of yoga is much deeper.
March 16, 2024
Book of the Day – The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga
Today’s Book of the Day is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO YIN YOGA, written by Bernie Clark in 2011 and published by Wild Strawberries Productions.
Bernie Clark is an expert in meditation, spirituality, and yoga, with a past in science, high-tech, and space industry.
I have chosen this book because I practice, teach, and use Yin Yoga, even in business and professional environments.
Yin Yoga is a recently born, slow-paced style of yoga that uses some principles of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Taoist concepts of yin and yang. The sessions are based on asanas held for a longer time than in other Yoga styles so to stimulate the meridians and nadis (the energy channels of the subtle body).
Yin Yoga is designed to specifically work on the connective tissues of the body—the tendons, fasciae, and ligaments—to improve circulation in the joints and flexibility. It is also a meditative approach to yoga, fostering awareness of inner silence and awareness of our universal interconnectedness.
This book dives deep into the world of Yin Yoga, giving the readers most of the theoretical knowledge they need to understand why the style is so holistically effective.
Clark, a seasoned yoga teacher with a background in science, expertly blends Eastern philosophy with Western anatomical understanding. Here’s what you will find in this book:
* Yin Yoga Philosophy and History: Clark explores the roots of Yin Yoga and its connection to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
* Detailed Yin Yoga Asana guide: Learn proper form and modifications for over 30 Yin Yoga poses with clear instructions and photographs.
* Benefits beyond the physical: The book delves into Yin Yoga’s potential to specifically improve mental and emotional well-being.
What I particularly liked in this book are the Clear and concise explanations: Clark‘s writing style is engaging and easy to understand, even for beginners. Also, each asana is described in depth and includes detailed instructions, targeted areas, modifications, and even the contraindications for injuries or limited mobility.
The book keeps a holistic approach going beyond the physical benefits, exploring the deep mind-body connection fostered by Yin Yoga by describing the mental and emotional benefits of Yin Yoga, making it a well-rounded resource.
I also liked that Clark, having experience in both science and Yoga, has brought both realms into this book, going deeper into anatomy, biology, and energy channels, mixing them in a way that will help both teachers and students.
One thing I would have appreciated in addition to the in-depth description of Yin Yoga is a more detailed description of its philosophical and traditional roots to increase, in those who are not experts in it, the knowledge of some TCM and Taoist concepts.
Overall, The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga is an excellent resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of Yin Yoga. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a curious beginner, Clark‘s book provides a clear and informative guide to help you find relaxation and inner peace through practice.
Today’s Book of the Day is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO YIN YOGA, written by Bernie Clark in 2011 and published by Wild Strawberries Productions.
Bernie Clark is an expert in meditation, spirituality, and yoga, with a past in science, high-tech, and space industry.
I have chosen this book because I practice, teach, and use Yin Yoga, even in business and professional environments.
Yin Yoga is a recently born, slow-paced style of yoga that uses some principles of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Taoist concepts of yin and yang. The sessions are based on asanas held for a longer time than in other Yoga styles so to stimulate the meridians and nadis (the energy channels of the subtle body).
Yin Yoga is designed to specifically work on the connective tissues of the body—the tendons, fasciae, and ligaments—to improve circulation in the joints and flexibility. It is also a meditative approach to yoga, fostering awareness of inner silence and awareness of our universal interconnectedness.
This book dives deep into the world of Yin Yoga, giving the readers most of the theoretical knowledge they need to understand why the style is so holistically effective.
Clark, a seasoned yoga teacher with a background in science, expertly blends Eastern philosophy with Western anatomical understanding. Here’s what you will find in this book:
* Yin Yoga Philosophy and History: Clark explores the roots of Yin Yoga and its connection to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
* Detailed Yin Yoga Asana guide: Learn proper form and modifications for over 30 Yin Yoga poses with clear instructions and photographs.
* Benefits beyond the physical: The book delves into Yin Yoga’s potential to specifically improve mental and emotional well-being.
What I particularly liked in this book are the Clear and concise explanations: Clark‘s writing style is engaging and easy to understand, even for beginners. Also, each asana is described in depth and includes detailed instructions, targeted areas, modifications, and even the contraindications for injuries or limited mobility.
The book keeps a holistic approach going beyond the physical benefits, exploring the deep mind-body connection fostered by Yin Yoga by describing the mental and emotional benefits of Yin Yoga, making it a well-rounded resource.
I also liked that Clark, having experience in both science and Yoga, has brought both realms into this book, going deeper into anatomy, biology, and energy channels, mixing them in a way that will help both teachers and students.
One thing I would have appreciated in addition to the in-depth description of Yin Yoga is a more detailed description of its philosophical and traditional roots to increase, in those who are not experts in it, the knowledge of some TCM and Taoist concepts.
Overall, The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga is an excellent resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of Yin Yoga. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a curious beginner, Clark‘s book provides a clear and informative guide to help you find relaxation and inner peace through practice.
January 13, 2024
At page 19, I was not impressed. I was hopeful, however, that information in subsequent chapters will be accurate and useful and lacking in grammatical and spelling errors.
Chapter 3, on poses, I find it to be very helpful and well laid out. I like how the information in this section is laid out. I think the benefits section could be eliminated (or better researched), as it doesn't have rigorous scientific backing, and I'd like to see more in-depth discussion of what tissues each pose targets. Other than that, I have no critiques of this chapter, other than a couple typos/grammatical errors.
I do wish the poses came before a more in-depth discussion of flow and other things in chapter 2, as the naming of the poses is confusing, and should be included before any discussion of the theory or other aspects of the poses.
One gratifying and redeeming quality of this book is the quality of the photographs. The models are dressed in differing colors, giving the black-and-white photos less contrast. This helps the viewer to see more details in the positions of the bodies. There are some cases in which the models wear dark pants and use a dark bolster that make details difficult to decipher, but on the whole, the poses are easily viewable in the photographs.
Chapter 4, giving flows is wonderful. I love the many options it provides as well as the way the information is laid out in 3 levels. It's an excellent starting point for teaching yin yoga classes.
I was annoyed by Chapter 5. The main resource for chapter 4 is a forum on YinYoga.com. There are far more reputable sources to get information. There is a whole body of medical/scientific research on effects and dangers of yoga. I'm disappointed the author didn't access that information to inform this chapter.
Chapter 6 left much to be desired. There were a lot of terms thrown around without context or definition, which made the reading confusing. There were also more typos/spelling and grammatical errors. The elastic band metaphor was inappropriate, as it didn't relate to the main point of stretch in different temperatures.
Chapter 7 made a lot of claims that aren't backed up by science, and made a point that we, in the West over-rely on scientific proof. The problem with this perspective is ignoring the entire field of science, which is laughable at best. The other problem is that there is, in fact, a growing body of science to support many of the claims that yoga teachers make (not all of the speculative and curative claims, though), which is just entirely ignored. My other problem with this chapter is that, though I understand that the subtle body is, in fact, subtle, even experts in subtle body practices don't agree even for the location of the processes or even what some of the parts of the subtle body are.
Chapter 8 was very short, but it could have been shorter. I do think the discussion on gratitude was helpful and instructional. However, on the whole, the discussion on mindfulness was lacking in substance, although I appreciate the points on contraindications.
This book does have a lot of useful information, and isn't without merit, but it is very repetitive and lacks important information. My other critique of this book is that Mr. Clark seems to make up his own anatomy/medical terms, instead of using the terms that are already in use, which just makes his explanations confusing.
Chapter 3, on poses, I find it to be very helpful and well laid out. I like how the information in this section is laid out. I think the benefits section could be eliminated (or better researched), as it doesn't have rigorous scientific backing, and I'd like to see more in-depth discussion of what tissues each pose targets. Other than that, I have no critiques of this chapter, other than a couple typos/grammatical errors.
I do wish the poses came before a more in-depth discussion of flow and other things in chapter 2, as the naming of the poses is confusing, and should be included before any discussion of the theory or other aspects of the poses.
One gratifying and redeeming quality of this book is the quality of the photographs. The models are dressed in differing colors, giving the black-and-white photos less contrast. This helps the viewer to see more details in the positions of the bodies. There are some cases in which the models wear dark pants and use a dark bolster that make details difficult to decipher, but on the whole, the poses are easily viewable in the photographs.
Chapter 4, giving flows is wonderful. I love the many options it provides as well as the way the information is laid out in 3 levels. It's an excellent starting point for teaching yin yoga classes.
I was annoyed by Chapter 5. The main resource for chapter 4 is a forum on YinYoga.com. There are far more reputable sources to get information. There is a whole body of medical/scientific research on effects and dangers of yoga. I'm disappointed the author didn't access that information to inform this chapter.
Chapter 6 left much to be desired. There were a lot of terms thrown around without context or definition, which made the reading confusing. There were also more typos/spelling and grammatical errors. The elastic band metaphor was inappropriate, as it didn't relate to the main point of stretch in different temperatures.
Chapter 7 made a lot of claims that aren't backed up by science, and made a point that we, in the West over-rely on scientific proof. The problem with this perspective is ignoring the entire field of science, which is laughable at best. The other problem is that there is, in fact, a growing body of science to support many of the claims that yoga teachers make (not all of the speculative and curative claims, though), which is just entirely ignored. My other problem with this chapter is that, though I understand that the subtle body is, in fact, subtle, even experts in subtle body practices don't agree even for the location of the processes or even what some of the parts of the subtle body are.
Chapter 8 was very short, but it could have been shorter. I do think the discussion on gratitude was helpful and instructional. However, on the whole, the discussion on mindfulness was lacking in substance, although I appreciate the points on contraindications.
This book does have a lot of useful information, and isn't without merit, but it is very repetitive and lacks important information. My other critique of this book is that Mr. Clark seems to make up his own anatomy/medical terms, instead of using the terms that are already in use, which just makes his explanations confusing.
February 21, 2022
If you are into the rising practice of Yin Yoga and have an interest that goes beyond following the mere physical practice, this book is a must for you.
Keep in mind, that this is a textbook, and as such, you should approach it. Know that it is a slow read. A book that has to been taken in slowly, with much theory and deep explanations aimed to students or very curious yoguis.
In little over 300 pages, Bernie Clark breaks up the discipline of Yin Yoga by examining the background, fundaments, philosophy, and connections between different disciplines: Yin, Yang, Qi Gong, TCM...
In this book, we can find expanded descriptions of the Yin postures with options, modifications, use of props, counterposes, and suggestions for sequences; it gives us the physiological and energetical benefits of the practice, some brief explanations of the connection with Traditional Chinese Medicine and the meridians, bioelectricity, a deep view on the latest discoveries on fascia, the importance of maditation and breathing as a tools to impact our Nervous system and improve our overall health. It also gets into anatomical explanations that have been difficult for me to connect with.
As the own title explains, this is a Complete Guide to Yin Yoga, where all aspects of this matter are going to be deeply explained. It is obvious that if you don't have an interest in Yin or Yoga, there is no point for you to pick up this book.
I am a Yoga Student with a Yin Yoga certification, for me it has been a very useful read.
Keep in mind, that this is a textbook, and as such, you should approach it. Know that it is a slow read. A book that has to been taken in slowly, with much theory and deep explanations aimed to students or very curious yoguis.
In little over 300 pages, Bernie Clark breaks up the discipline of Yin Yoga by examining the background, fundaments, philosophy, and connections between different disciplines: Yin, Yang, Qi Gong, TCM...
In this book, we can find expanded descriptions of the Yin postures with options, modifications, use of props, counterposes, and suggestions for sequences; it gives us the physiological and energetical benefits of the practice, some brief explanations of the connection with Traditional Chinese Medicine and the meridians, bioelectricity, a deep view on the latest discoveries on fascia, the importance of maditation and breathing as a tools to impact our Nervous system and improve our overall health. It also gets into anatomical explanations that have been difficult for me to connect with.
As the own title explains, this is a Complete Guide to Yin Yoga, where all aspects of this matter are going to be deeply explained. It is obvious that if you don't have an interest in Yin or Yoga, there is no point for you to pick up this book.
I am a Yoga Student with a Yin Yoga certification, for me it has been a very useful read.
August 9, 2020
This book was compulsory reading for my yoga teacher training. I'm more of a vinyasa/ashtanga girl myself and have no intention of becoming a yin teacher. Still, it was a good thorough, introduction and it never hurts to have some background into other styles. Plus, I do like a yin session occasionally, so it's nice to know the biomechanics behind it.
The book is very complete and covers not only the poses, but history, science and all other relevant aspects. A good editor would have reduced this book by at least 30% though. It's extremely repetitive at times. I liked some of the visualisations and metaphors (like the rubber bands tied together, very enlightening), but others didn't resonate with me at all (like watering the weeds). I get what they mean, but didn't add value for me personally.
And yes, there was some floofy stuff in there. I certainly don't believe all of the claims made in this book, and would rather see more science on the subject. On the other hand, there are things that used to be considered quackery, that have since been legitimised by science. Meditation is one that comes to mind. I guess I'll just consider myself floof-agnostic. In addition: the placebo-effect is real, so if it works for some people, it works.
All I need to know is yin chills me out and there's nothing quite like that nice big plop when something that was "stuck" gets released. Whether it was kundalini or gravity doing it, doesn't really matter :)
The book is very complete and covers not only the poses, but history, science and all other relevant aspects. A good editor would have reduced this book by at least 30% though. It's extremely repetitive at times. I liked some of the visualisations and metaphors (like the rubber bands tied together, very enlightening), but others didn't resonate with me at all (like watering the weeds). I get what they mean, but didn't add value for me personally.
And yes, there was some floofy stuff in there. I certainly don't believe all of the claims made in this book, and would rather see more science on the subject. On the other hand, there are things that used to be considered quackery, that have since been legitimised by science. Meditation is one that comes to mind. I guess I'll just consider myself floof-agnostic. In addition: the placebo-effect is real, so if it works for some people, it works.
All I need to know is yin chills me out and there's nothing quite like that nice big plop when something that was "stuck" gets released. Whether it was kundalini or gravity doing it, doesn't really matter :)
January 18, 2018
A much easier read than other books of this sort. Written with some humor and light enough to prevent it from becoming full of itself.
It had some positive points to it aside from the obvious and expected descriptions of poses, their benefits, blah, blah, blah. In addition, the yoga philosophy as the foundation was sound and resonated with me. The author discussed some interesting points about the history of yoga.
"The intentions of the practice of yoga were varied, there never was one yoga. There is no yoga tree that shows the evolution of all the various forms of yoga we know today. Rather, there is a forest called yoga, within which many wondrous and frightening forms of practice have existed."
"Today, yoga as practiced in the West is totally unique: this yoga has never existed anywhere else before-today we practice Western Yoga for the benefits that Westerners desire."
Although my favorite comment was about yoga's body awareness benefits.
"We don't use our body to get into a pose, we use the pose to get into our body."
Since reading this book, I've been practicing yin yoga very consistently and am feeling its rewards so far, with more to come.
It had some positive points to it aside from the obvious and expected descriptions of poses, their benefits, blah, blah, blah. In addition, the yoga philosophy as the foundation was sound and resonated with me. The author discussed some interesting points about the history of yoga.
"The intentions of the practice of yoga were varied, there never was one yoga. There is no yoga tree that shows the evolution of all the various forms of yoga we know today. Rather, there is a forest called yoga, within which many wondrous and frightening forms of practice have existed."
"Today, yoga as practiced in the West is totally unique: this yoga has never existed anywhere else before-today we practice Western Yoga for the benefits that Westerners desire."
Although my favorite comment was about yoga's body awareness benefits.
"We don't use our body to get into a pose, we use the pose to get into our body."
Since reading this book, I've been practicing yin yoga very consistently and am feeling its rewards so far, with more to come.
February 11, 2018
Bernie Clark's science background shines through in this wonderful, more-than-introductory guide to Yin Yoga.
The book's structure makes it both easy to read and consult as a reference during practice. Clark's analogies, although occasionally over-used (several almost identical phrasings about a garden hose clogged up with dirt after lack of use appeared throughout), were nevertheless helpful in describing the internal processes of our organic selves we often ignore. Clark's citations were not only essential in establishing his credibility, but also inspire the reader to investigate specific problems on their own. Because of The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga, i've integrated more postures into my daily routine, and the benefits are clear.
The book's structure makes it both easy to read and consult as a reference during practice. Clark's analogies, although occasionally over-used (several almost identical phrasings about a garden hose clogged up with dirt after lack of use appeared throughout), were nevertheless helpful in describing the internal processes of our organic selves we often ignore. Clark's citations were not only essential in establishing his credibility, but also inspire the reader to investigate specific problems on their own. Because of The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga, i've integrated more postures into my daily routine, and the benefits are clear.
October 12, 2019
Contrairement à ce que l’on pourrait penser, cet ouvrage n’est pas réservé aux professeurs de yoga, il est écrit pour que chacun puisse développer une pratique personnelle du yin yoga.
Ce livre est vraiment très très complet, il aborde tous les aspects du yin yoga avec notamment un énorme chapitre sur toutes les postures de yin illustrées et expliquées en détails.
Il y a une bonne partie de biologie (avec illustrations) que j’ai beaucoup aimé. Le chapitre sur la grossesse est très instructif (en tant que prof, j’y ai puisé de nombreux points qui me permettront de mieux accompagner les femmes enceintes qui viennent à mes cours).
Ce livre est vraiment très très complet, il aborde tous les aspects du yin yoga avec notamment un énorme chapitre sur toutes les postures de yin illustrées et expliquées en détails.
Il y a une bonne partie de biologie (avec illustrations) que j’ai beaucoup aimé. Le chapitre sur la grossesse est très instructif (en tant que prof, j’y ai puisé de nombreux points qui me permettront de mieux accompagner les femmes enceintes qui viennent à mes cours).
April 9, 2025
bernie clark is clearly a smart guy - he provided such a balanced explanation of everything yin. he was able to explain the eastern and western perspectives well, always with evidence-based research. he was always very clear about which benefits are proven and which are anecdotal without downplaying the merit of personal experience + perceived results.
i wish there was a little more info on sequencing, especially for beginners who have trouble with holding some of these poses for extended times (esp spinal flexion which he has a LOT of), but it included a great breakdown of postures, i found it really useful :)
i wish there was a little more info on sequencing, especially for beginners who have trouble with holding some of these poses for extended times (esp spinal flexion which he has a LOT of), but it included a great breakdown of postures, i found it really useful :)
May 15, 2018
Great reference material. I'll come back to this again and again for the practical breakdown of asana and sequences.
I wish there was a little more anatomical and/or medical authority. When the book says that medical professionals don't understand or even disagree with some of the foundations of the practice, that doesn't make me feel emboldened or safe. That makes me want to know what their concerns are, because I trust the medical professionals over somebody who is inventing a new style of yoga, as is the case here.
I wish there was a little more anatomical and/or medical authority. When the book says that medical professionals don't understand or even disagree with some of the foundations of the practice, that doesn't make me feel emboldened or safe. That makes me want to know what their concerns are, because I trust the medical professionals over somebody who is inventing a new style of yoga, as is the case here.
May 31, 2018
Engaging, informative and inspiring
I purchased this book based on its high rating. I was not disappointed. I read it cover to cover. It was not a boring read. In fact, a little humor was thrown in here and there. This is going to be my go to book for reference as I learn and teach yin yoga. The footnotes are also helpful and I'm using them for researching additional information. I am also interested in learning more about energy healing, accupressure and accupuncture and this book touches on that as well.
I purchased this book based on its high rating. I was not disappointed. I read it cover to cover. It was not a boring read. In fact, a little humor was thrown in here and there. This is going to be my go to book for reference as I learn and teach yin yoga. The footnotes are also helpful and I'm using them for researching additional information. I am also interested in learning more about energy healing, accupressure and accupuncture and this book touches on that as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews