Yin Yoga

by Kassandra Reinhardt

The only book that gives you a mindful guide to yoga to help future-proof your body. Avoid putting stress on your joints and heart with this slower yoga style.

In today's fast-paced world it's easy to lose the balance in our lives and the connection with our bodies. Yin Yoga offers a remedy to the stress and hustle of everyday life. As yin balances yang in Taoist philosophies, so the slower yin-style yoga offers an alternative to the faster, more active forms of yoga such as ashtanga.

Yin yoga concentrates on holding and breathing through floor-based poses, allowing you the time and space to clear your mind and stretch your body. The 54 meditative poses and 20 targeted sequences will help you attain a sense of mindfulness and physical well-being, making it the perfect complement to a busy, active yang lifestyle and bringing you back into balance.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Fitness, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Kassandra Reinhardt is an Ottawa-based yoga teacher and one of the world's leading online yin yoga instructors.

Her book "Yin Yoga" was recently published by DK Books and has been nominated for the 2018 Big Book prize by Hearst Magazines.

Her "Yoga with Kassandra" YouTube channel, which has more than 140,000 subscribers, has served as the gateway for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe to discover the life-changing benefits of a consistent yin yoga practice.

She's been teaching yin yoga since 2012 and has completed 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings as well as training in yoga therapy.

You can practice with her online at yogawithkassandra.com.

Reviews

[Brittany Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update 12/28/2020:
The single poses are fabulous! To do a sequenced flow, there's a lot of page-flipping going on. I love everything about this yoga book except the organization of sequences. They are labeled on the page via text with one single picture. If you are new to yoga this may be an issue, if you are more advanced, this won't be a problem, you know the terms and poses. I use this for single poses, information, and other yoga books for sequences that don't require me to flip pages while practicing because it is too distracting and takes me out of the flow. She's still my favorite yoga teacher, I even practiced one of her free yoga videos on YouTube this a.m.
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2017 Review:
I am so excited for this right here!!! (The cover has been updated which has Kassandra on the front doing multiple yoga poses... I appreciate her cover variation more than a model I do not recognize, and is the only cover now in print.)

If you LOVE SLOW YOGA, Kassandra's book will not disappoint in the slightest!
She flipped through a lot of pages very slowly on her YouTube channel so I got a very good look at what to expect, and I knew I just had to have it! The pictures and the poses are NOT the same old poses you see on yoga videos- they are different and I love the modifications she provides, because she knows not everyone's bodies are at the same level...but every level no matter where you are starting, she will have a sequence for.

She is my favorite teacher, so gentle and kind! My favorite thing is how she strives for a more yin-lifestyle, it makes her practices and tips not only suitable for young and fit, but also for those of us who may be chronically ill or aging. Healthy or sick, this is a great book for the community and we could all benefit from sharing this book with others. So often many people think they are too sick to do yoga, and I was guilty of this thought process until Kassandra showed me YIN YOGA.

Vinyasa style is so fast and focused upon in the yoga world... I experience heart palpitations and find no relief from fast-paced types of yoga. There is a different way, a more gentle way and it is still considered exercise. Welcome to YIN YOGA.

I can't thank you enough Kassandra Reinhardt, I'm sure the autoimmune community supports me in saying it's truly a blessing to not be or feel left behind anymore and be able to grow. It is ok to live a slower-paced lifestyle on and off the mat and I'm so happy you provide deep meaningful insights to the world so they can grow mindfully, even when we feel stuck.
Namaste.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book gives practical meditation tips, breathing exercises, and yin yoga postures for beginner through intermediate yogis. It includes yoga sequences for 30-90 minute yoga practices, and instructions on how to modify each yoga pose to make it easier if you need a gentler posture, or to make it harder if you are ready for a deeper stretch.

I adore the gorgeous photos of each pose. The serene ocean in the background of each photo makes me feel soothed and calm. The golden light and beautiful seaside landscapes really enhance every yoga posture.

I was inspired by the peaceful quotes, and gentle reminders to "come to a point of stillness within."
I feel like each page invites the practitioner to breathe softly into the tranquility of each corner of the body. I especially appreciated the simple modifications to help make each pose an expression of your own practice.

I was intrigued by the section on chakras and meridian balancing, and now I'm eager to try the suggested poses and meditation techniques for each area of the body. This book really gives you the tools to target particular ailments or "stuck" places in the body, and loosen and soften those areas, bringing the mind, heart, and body back into harmonious balance.

There are "Be Aware" tips for each pose, to help you be safe and avoid aggravating any previous injuries. Each pose is not only illustrated in the photos, but also described in detail, aiding the yogi with how to get in and out of each pose safely.

The sequences are especially helpful, since they bring all the information together, creating a balanced practice that is easy to follow. There are sequences for the beginner, for the more advanced yogi, for relieving stress, for digestion, for backaches and neck pain, for hips, posture, prenatal, for more energy, for bedtime, and a dozen others. I love how these sequences are organized so that you can squeeze every benefit from your practice. And it's useful to have various time frames to work with, so that you can choose a sequence that matches the time you have available.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious about yoga, but intimidated by the "Bikram" hot yoga style, or worried that an energetic "yang" yoga class would be too taxing.
Yin yoga is gentle and slow, giving the body the rest it needs, while still providing a beneficial stretch and strength to the joints.

I would also recommend this book to anyone who is already a seasoned yogi, but wants to expand their home practice, find out more about yin yoga, and dive deeper into the beauty of their own body.

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs some stillness in their life, needs to reduce stress, and make their busy mind more tranquil. Yin yoga is perfect for training the mind to be quiet while the body is relaxed.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the thoughts and opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Flavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only started practising yoga myself a few months ago, so do not consider myself an expert in the least. But I think that this would be a good book for beginners, and also those who have been doing yoga for a little longer, and who want to switch up their routine a little. This book features an About section at the beginning that explains what yin yoga is, and what it’s good for. Then the rest of the book is full of poses and sequences!

This is a paperback book, but the cover is rather thick, and well-made. The pages are also made of good quality, almost-glossy paper, which feel quite resistant. I like the colour schemes in this book, the images used, as well as the quality of the colour itself. I also like that there is text, but not too much text. Each pose and sequence have a little bit of an explanation (what the pose or sequence is best for, how to do this or that breathing technique, etc.), but the rest is all visual. There is also never only one photo to explain a pose, but rather a sequence of photos that clearly show how one gets from part 1 of a pose, to say part 3 (for example).

As I mentioned before, I’d only started practising yoga myself a few months ago. I started out with a DVD, which only featured a few poses, so that I could see how the instructor holds herself, how she shifts from one part of a position to another, and for how long she holds each pose. But I wanted to do more, so I switched to just using the pose cards that the DVD set came with, because they featured more poses. I’m familiar now, with the core poses of yoga, I think, but this book certainly featured some that I had never encountered before, which was nice.

I’m always wanting to challenge myself and make myself better (whether it be at work, or for something like a hobby), so this book was great for me in that regard. This is also why I said that I would recommend it for beginners and those with more experience in yoga alike.

[H.A. Leuschel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in appreciation of the author’s wonderful You Tube videos! The asanas are beautifully illustrated and background information well written.

[Dayton Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kassandra's channel went to 100K subscribers in 2017 and continues to expand which is well deserved as she has (in my humble opinion) the best yoga related channel. Her videos are instructive, creative and in wide variety - no 10 minutes "routines" serving as bad promo for required subscription (only 30 USD per month!), no vlogs musing over trivial first world problems and no incessant chatter during lectures. I think she introduced yin yoga to many people as not every yoga teacher would dare to go there, they focus on popular demand "weight loss" and similar "fast results" fixes. Kassandra teaches calm, silence and knowing your limits in introspective practice.
The book provides close view on poses and philosophy of yin yoga, it is beneficial to new practicioners but also to people who already know Kassandra's lectures. First part introduces philosophy and benefits. Second part is detailed list of poses - each has pictured flow of the pose and includes options to reduce or increase difficulty. Last part offers yin yoga flows with varied difficulty and focus.
The only downside might be that not everyone is suited to go through yin yoga lecture as we are mostly used to get everything done fast to spend more time focusing on other matters outside of ourselves and as a result the book might leave some people confused and asking "why would I be lying on the ground with my stretched leg for an hour?". You need to develop certain state of mind to enjoy this particular branch of yoga.

[Pat Brune · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well planned and easy to access introduction to the yin yoga method. The author, Kassandra Reinhardt, regularly publishes yin, hatha and other styles of yoga videos on her Youtube channel "Yoga with Kassandra." I regularly enjoy Kassandra's practices, particularly her yin classes, and was excited to learn she had written this book. It does not disappoint.

The book begins with an introduction to the yin yoga method and helpful summaries of the chakra and meridian systems. I was happy to see these sections because two of the primary purposes of yin yoga are to open, cleanse and balance the chakras and meridians. There is a helpful color coded chakra chart with brief descriptions, recommended asana, and the associated bija (chanted sound) for each chakra. (My only quibble with the book is that I wish the print were a little darker against the colored background of the chart.) The section on meridians features a series of pastel tinted blocks with a graphic image and brief summary for each of the 12 meridians.

Wrapping up the introductory section are chapters offering three yogic breathing techniques, descriptions of the props you will need, tips on how to practice with the book, and meditation. Photographs are provided for the breathing techniques and props.

The primary tutorial sections of the book, Yin Asanas and Yin Sequences, are neatly laid out. Each asana is accompanied by a photograph and summary of the pose's benefits. Methods for making each pose easier are offered and some have tips for making a pose harder. In the Kindle version, each asana is linked both to the table of contents and to the sequences. I particularly like this digital feature; it is so helpful while following a sequence to be able to click on a pose and flip back to its particulars.

A sampling of the nineteen sequences include pre-workout stretch, beginner sequence, improving digestion, upper back and lower back tension relief, and sciatica relief.

No yoga manual is complete without illustrations, and the photographs in this book are praiseworthy. Each photo is bright and clear in an outdoor setting. Poses are demonstrated on the sand, on a boardwalk, and on what appears to be a deck with the sun setting behind mountains. Photos of each phase of a pose are provided, along with the alternative version(s).

I highly recommend this book for yin beginners and seasoned practitioners both. Well done Kassandra and thank you for this guidebook.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book covering yin yoga philosophy, the key asanas, and also providing some yin sequences for you to try out. For me, yin yoga is perfect for two things: a meditative antidote to stress, while also improving my flexibility and joint health.

I love Kassandra's youtube channel, and this book has given me a better understanding of both the form and function of different poses.

Some takeaways for me were the following:

Three key principles of yin yoga:
• Find your edge - just the right balance between sensation and ease.
• Be still - find a meditative mindset, smooth your breath.
• Hold the posture - for 3-10 minutes.

"Yin yoga blends teachings from two different lineages: traditional Indian hatha yoga and the Chinese Taoist yin yang philosophy."
The asanas (poses) are derived from hatha yoga, and the process of holding the pose for some minutes comes from Taoist practices.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

20210312 ◊ While the nine-page "About" section is laughably, um... “succinct,” this one's a keeper for its clear instructions and copious photographs of each pose. Also appreciated are descriptions of adjustments that make the stretches more/less challenging, and the helpful section of sequences that focus on specific areas of the body (lower/upper back, shoulders) or objectives (improve sleep, increase energy). Solid technical content hiding underneath just a thin rime of woo.

[Imogen Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to yin yoga - includes clear step by step photographs for each pose, modifications to make poses easier/harder, prop alternatives if you don’t happen to own yoga blocks/straps etc, breathing exercises, and easy to follow restorative sequences. Definitely recommend!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book. The poses are well illustrated and explained, with options for modifications to make them easier and more difficult. There are lots of flows incorporating the poses. This is the only area the book could be. Improved, with mini poseillustrwtions by each 9f the pose names. As I did find many of the poses had different names to those I am used to and I would have to keep turning back to each page number to do the flow, and I’m not sure how that would work. However, I got th book to explore the poses, so for what I want it for, it is really good. I loved all the modification suggestions.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference guide for anyone just beginning their yoga practice or more advanced students. The book includes wonderful photographs to clearly demonstrate each pose as well as detailed written instructions. In addition there are several flows at the end that target certain areas of the body or pinpoint certain emotions or desired end results. This is a top notch publication from one of my favorite publishers.

[Jacqueline Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited to practice

This is a very easy to understand and easy to follow book. The illustrations and descriptions make it easy to start your own practice at home. I really appreciate the sequences at the end of the book, which assist you in targeting specific concerns. I am excited to implement Yin Yoga into my practice and holistic lifestyle.

[Tofu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un très bon livre pour appréhender la base du Yin Yoga, les poses sont détaillées et des enchainements déjà proposés.

Il s'agit vraiment d'un ouvrage pour tout niveau mais accès "découverte" :)

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book, albeit a bit lacking in the physiological or meditative benefits of yin.

I started practicing hot yin yoga several times a week in 2019 after many years of other kinds of dynamic hot yoga. Towards the end of 2019, I figured I'd become a yin yoga teacher in 2020, but the pandemic happened instead. I discovered Kassandra's YouTube channel when I started doing yin at home and enjoyed her gentle video approach that echoed the one from my real-life teachers. So I picked up her book as an extension of the channel, combined with my desire to learn.

The book is beautiful, in the usual DK fashion. The photography and setting are soothing and gorgeous, and the explanations are clear enough to follow, with examples for making the poses easier or harder. I've seen yoga teachers who assume students know as much about anatomy as they do, but there's none of that here.

Nonetheless, it left me with the sense that something is missing. I was looking for more about yin's physiological or meditative benefits, but the book is light on that.

The intro starts with a brief explanation about yin and where it comes from but still leans on the more spiritual parts of yin (chakras and qi meridians). Throughout the book, there are polite enough warnings or instructions to avoid certain poses that would worsen certain conditions (e.g., sciatica) or alleviate others (e.g., tennis elbow, tech neck, etc.) Other explanations for how yin might be beneficial to, e.g., digestion, are wrapped in the explanations for these teachings and beliefs (such as, "it is believed that by doing this, you will alleviate that"). I would have also enjoyed some more angles of certain poses and pictures of incorrect vs. correct poses. They are particularly important in yin, where things aren't supposed to hurt, but you may be misaligned and holding a pose for a long time with no one to correct you in person.

So if you're coming at this from a physiological/mobility/flexibility perspective as I did, you might also find it lacking, albeit beautiful. I'd still recommend people watch yoga videos than read about it from books, but it's a great companion once you want to know more.

[Lady Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels like a Yin Yoga magazine. What I love about this book is that is has step-by-step instructions for getting into asanas, including photographs for each step. I appreciate the organization of the book, as the foundation and philosophy of yin yoga begins the book, followed by the asanas. The names of the asanas are different than in other branches of yoga, which is fine in the way that Ms. Reinhardt presents the information. She has the poses before any further mention of any individual poses. This is helpful for people who know the asanas by different names.

Things that could be improved in this book: some of the text is hard to read, especially on the cautionary points, as the ink is a light gray on white background. There are a couple spelling/grammatical errors near the beginning, but most of the book was free of these types of errors. Like a magazine, the book is extremely superficial. Now, by that I'm not talking vanity. I'm talking depth on the subject. I appreciate that Ms. Reinhardt doesn't make outlandish claims that can't be backed up, but I do wish she had supported some of her knowledge with other sources.

I also wish this book provided a more in depth discussion of the poses and their modifications, especially. I would love to have seen what specific tissues each pose targets. I also wish it laid out some principals of sequencing rather than just merely providing some sample sequences. In addition, it could do with some guidance on transitions between poses. The book ends just with the last sequence, which seemed kind of abrupt. I think I would like some kind of conclusion or something.

This may seem sort of silly or nitpicky, but I'd also like to see some variety of bodies in the photographs. All the bodies in these photos are thin and athletic. Some photos of less flexible and larger bodies would be useful and make the book more inclusive and accessible.

Overall, this is a good introductory on yin yoga. I will use it in my yoga teachings. There are very few wasted words. I never felt like I was wasting my time reading it.

[Jaded · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would practice Yin Yoga, but Kassandra's videos lured me in and I make time for it twice a week. Yin yoga is helping me spiritually, mentally and physically and has done wonders for me.

It was only natural for me to get her Yin Yoga book and I absolutely love it.

The book starts with a clear explanation of what Yin Yoga is, the benefits of Yin yoga, and there's info about the chakra's and meridians, which I'm both interested in and plan to learn more of.

Kassandra also features several breathing techniques like Ocean breath and humming bee breath and meditation, which I try to incorporate into my daily routine.

Then it's onto the asanas; there are over 50 and she offers a lot of tips and easier or harder variations for each Asana.

Lastly there are Yin sequences that can be used for a number of goals such as tension relief.

All in all this is one of the best yoga books and one I will keep within reach to use as a reference again and again.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extensive 30, 60, and 90 minute sequences, but they are not illustrated. It just has the names so you have to go back and look each one up.

The concept of Yin is laid out very succinctly and so it's easy to grasp. A little bit about the origin of Yin and also the chakras.

I like the poses in this lovely-looking DK book. They will certainly improve your flexibility in a relaxed way (one of the main purposes of Yin).

I only wish it had some 15 or 20 minute programs since my plan is use Yin as a supplement to my regular yoga practice.

[Casey Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast read as you can skip poses you are familiar with. I am a newer yoga instructor and was not enthusiastic about teaching a yin class until I read this book. It includes some lovely sequences, and how to incorporate poses that open up chakras.

After reading this book I actually can't wait to teach a yin class and try out some of the things I have learned. It provides helpful material to incorporate into the class to get the students thinking on other things than just basic poses.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!! A more relaxed method of teaching. (Thank you very much, Kassandra!)

This is a great guide with precise explanations, along with beautiful photographs of each step. Not only that, but you get a variety of 20 Yin sequences, such as a beginner sequence, relieving stress sequence, and a full body sequence, all with the time it takes and page references for each asana.

I can't recommend this enough, especially if you're just getting into the practice of Yoga!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice introduction to yin yoga with a succinct explanation of how it combines hatha yoga and tao philosophies. It has good photos and explanations of the poses as well as easier and harder variations. I would have liked the photos to be captioned with the pose names, and it would be nice to have the "translations" to more common hatha names. The book ends with a nice set of sequences.

[Claire Neilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good yoga guide. I like to do either yoga videos or exercises from this and other yoga books I have. This allows me to do yoga at my own pace and concentrate on breathing in the stretch. Sometimes, I find the videos a bit rushed and often can't keep up with them. I also listening to binaural beats or a spa play list when do yoga exercises from a book.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is nice to do yoga on the sand of the beach with the morning sun dazzling the beach.
This book is very easy to learn as most of the poses are 2 or 3 steps.
It was very useful even for a beginner of yoga.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the series of practices that Kassandra offered; will take sometime before I am able to hold some of these asanas for 5 minutes but that offers me something to work toward.

[Virginie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pratiques les séances d'enchainement synthétiques en fin d'ouvrage

[Peta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for home practice, I like that the sequences provided are to target specific needs.

[Susi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho, muy bien explicado y con fotos para ver la postura y como se accede a ella. Lo recomiendo

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with clear steps to follow including step by step pictures.

[Mariko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read with helpful, pretty pictures. Well-organized and gives helpful suggested flows.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely lovely yoga book by yin yoga expert, Kassandra Reinhardt. Practical, clear information. Have preordered her 2nd book as well!

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction into yin yoga, with photographs and helpful modifications (including photos) to make each pose easier or harder.