03/04/2026
Active vs Passive
I think in our echo chamber of yoga and fitness instructors we just assume people know the difference between different styles of yoga. Let’s face it, this is the reason most people think that yoga is just stretching and not also a way to strengthen your mind, muscles, joints and balance both in your standing leg and your life 👀
But there are many different ways to move within the yoga world. Two of the styles I teach are vinyasa and yin.
Vinyasa - mostly active, moving with the breath, strengthening, flexibility through an active range of motion. Lots of ‘flow’. Can include arm balances, inversions and one leg balances. Most commonly seen form of yoga in UK studios and YouTube, but even within this style there are many different ways to practice eg, a slow flow vs a power yoga class.
Yin - passive. Still. Without ‘flow’. Breath may be used as a way to stay in stillness but we don’t move with it. Focuses on creating space and lubrication in joints, tendons and ligaments, softening fascia and learning to stay. A quiet practice. Poses are held without the aim of ‘reaching’, instead surrendering.
Similar poses appear throughout both styles but the intention is DIFFERENT. Both are beautiful and worth taking the time to explore. Why not try a style of yoga that you havnt tried before? 🧡
