Yin Yoga is a passive long form method of stretching that is believed to open the connective tissue in the body increasing physical mobility. Also, based on the research of Doctor Hiroshi Motoyama in Japan and the studies of Paul Grilley, it is believed that our meridians/nadis, currents of chi or prana, can be found in the connective tissue. Therefore, this style of practice is believed to increase the flow of our subtle energies promoting awareness and connection to the Flow of our life. Don't believe anything you read or hear. Practice and test it out for yourself.

If you are interested in cultivating a sitting practice, the yin yoga practice is a wonderful gateway. The long slow stretches help open up areas of the body that get cranky when sitting. The bite size moments of quiet attention help develop the capacity for stillness. And the resultant energetic flow and sense of peace create the necessary ground.

Paul Grilley is a genius. His facility with the physical and subtle anatomy of the body is mind blowing, literally. He leads workshops and retreats and teacher trainings around the world with his partner Suzee. We highly recommend attending one if you have the opportunity.

He has a lot of great DVDs out through Pranamaya. You can watch some video from his past workshops at Lulu Bandha's and at the Ojai Yoga Crib.

His home base is Ashland, OR.

Sarah Powers is a leader in the weaving the Buddhist practice of mindfulness with the techniques of yoga. With an amazing capacity to hold and transmit the traditional teachings, she is also generous with allowing her students to see her own struggles and path. See footage of Sarah from 2009 Ojai Yoga Crib.

Paul Grilley introduced Sarah to Yin Yoga, which at the time he was calling Toasit Yoga, when they were both teaching at Yoga Works in LA back in the day.

She uses the yin yoga along with pranayama, chakra and bandha work to help prepare her students for meditation. She recently launched the Insight Yoga Institute with her husband Ty, offering a comprehensive yoga teacher training. Her home base is Marin, California.

She also has DVDs available via Pranamaya. And her recently released book is titled Insight Yoga.

Paul Grilley was introduced to the practices of Toaist Yoga via Master Paulie Zink. They met in LA while Paul Grilley was teaching Bikram Yoga. He saw that Paulie was more flexible than any hatha yogi he knew, and so he began his study. The yin yoga practice draws many elements from the Taoist Yoga Practice.

Paulie is a phenomenon. You can see some of his Yin Yoga here. And his amazing Monkey Kung Fu here. He travels the country offering workshops and trainings.

His home base is the high plains Montana

Dr. Motoyama is Paul Grilley's primary teacher. While based in Japan, in 1992, he established California Institute for Human Science in Encinitas, California in the hope of 1) elucidating the mechanism of the correlation between mind and body; 2) understanding the human mind (unconscious, conscious, superconscious); 3) synthesizing Eastern and Western religions; and 4) synthesizing Eastern and Western medicine (energy medicine and health science). Dr. Motoyama established CIHS in the belief that this project is important for the realization of a global society – one which will require individuals with mental and spiritual development.