09/23/2025
The journey and history of Yin Yoga began in the late 1980s, deeply rooted in the philosophies and practices of both yoga and martial arts. Paul Grilley, a yoga teacher and anatomy student, played a pivotal role in Yin Yoga history and development. Grilley’s encounter with Paulie Zink, a martial arts champion and Taoist Yoga master, sparked his interest in the long-held poses that would become the foundation of this beloved practice.
Intrigued by Zink’s extraordinary flexibility and the Taoist approach to yoga, Grilley began experimenting with these prolonged poses. Although initially focusing on dynamic styles like Vinyasa Yoga, Grilley discovered that incorporating passive stretching into his routine significantly improved his students’ flexibility and range of motion. This finding inspired the creation of a yoga practice that focused on the deeper, yin aspects of the body – the connective tissues and joints.
One of Grilley’s students, Sarah Powers, suggested calling the practice “Yin Yoga.” It aptly reflected the practice’s focus on the passive, yielding qualities of yin, in contrast to the more active, dynamic yang. This new style of yoga quickly garnered attention for its unique approach and profound benefits, establishing itself as an integral part of modern yoga practices. And with that Sarah Powers too became an important figure in Yin Yoga History.
I was fortunate to take my Yin Yoga training in person with Bernie Clark, and Diana Batts in 2018. I added in two more 50 hour trainings with Michelle Finch, Paul Grilley’s assistant in following years and have been sharing the practice since then. Thank you Bernie Clark and for this perfect description depicting Yin Yoga’s History.
