Deepening Your Yin Yoga Teaching & Practice: Fascia, Functional Anatomy & Eastern Wisdom

The Fascial System: Our Inner Cosmos

Fascia is far more than connective tissue — it’s a responsive and adaptive system that mirrors how we move, touch, think, feel, breathe and interact with the world, including how we hold and present ourselves. Often called the ‘listening tissues’, fascia adapts to both inner and outer stimuli (and the way we react to these), reflecting the complexity of our lived experience.

As John Sharkey describes it, fascia forms part of our ‘inner cosmos’. When we become consciously aware of this internal landscape, we unlock the ability to work with the fascia-and therefore the body’s-natural adaptability.

By inviting and encouraging your students to connect with the ‘watcher’, ‘observer’, or ‘witness’ during postures, we can guide them towards a deeper experience of self-awareness. This benefits not only the physical, but also the mental and emotional bodies.

Energy and Nature: The Wisdom of Chinese Medicine

In Eastern traditions, the doctor is seen less as a mechanic and more as a gardener — one who supports the conditions in which health can flourish. All life unfolds within the cycles of nature, which is in constant motion, following cyclical patterns that reflect the process of transformation. We humans are integrated and interconnected — active participants in this ever-evolving system of change.

Over millennia, doctors observed cycles in nature and conceptualised the body in these terms. A person both embodies and interacts with cycles — daily, monthly, seasonal, and lifelong.

During our Level 2 Yin course, Anne-Marie will spend 1.5 days with us bringing this philosophy to life, sharing her extensive experience in Chinese Medicine and its’ philosophy. She will guide participants in how to integrate key foundational principles — such as meridian theory, seasonal cycles, and the five elements — into a Yin Yoga practice.

With a deep understanding of the body’s energetic systems, she offers a grounded and accessible approach to this ancient wisdom.

Grilley groups Yin (and Yang) poses into seven Archetypes based on their functional intention. This approach centres on target areas — for example, stretching the glutes or gently stressing the hip joint — and encourages practitioners to explore the variation that best suits them.

This approach moves away from the Aesthetic style, which often attempts to fit the body into a ‘perfect’ or ‘textbook’ pose, overlooking the reality that anatomical variation means some shapes may not be accessible — or even beneficial — for everyone.

Louise weaves these Functional Yoga principles and Grilley’s 7 Archetypes throughout the Level 2 Yin course, guiding you to create mindful, adaptable classes that are both safer and more effective for the individual. As well as fostering a more inclusive yoga experience, this approach empowers your students to understand and embrace their unique body.

1. Build confidence in working with the meridian lines and learn how to theme classes around them — aligning with the seasons, the five elements, and supporting organ health
2. Learn specific acupressure points and their physical and energetic benefits
3. Expand your understanding of fascia and how to work with it in practice
4. Incorporate simple Qi Gong practices, somatic yoga and tapping into your classes
5. Bring fresh energy and diversity to your classes by theming them around energy centres, the five elements, the koshas, and for fascial release.
6. Empower your students to understand and tune into their own bodies and respond to their needs by sharpening your cuing and observation skills – also enhancing emotional well-being and self-awareness
7. Create inclusive, non-judgemental spaces by developing the language that helps all students feel welcome, safe, and supported
8. Expand your workshop and retreat offerings by incorporating the new tools and techniques learned, to create richer, more engaging experiences for your students
9. Spend time in community, connecting with like-minded people, exchanging insights and upskilling through shared experience during this immersive 5 days together
10. Reflect, restore and reconnect with yourself and your practice