The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga

One thing we learn in Yoga is impermanence, everything changes over time, and thats very much true of our Yoga practices and our understanding around them. The time was thus ripe for this work to be updated.The full title is "The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga - Philosophy and Practice" and the strap line adds "Revised edition with updates and expanded practices, postures, props and photos" - does it live up to this?Yes, it does, in my view. Honestly, if you have one book on the shelf about Yin Yoga, you could do a lot worse than this one. Its well laid out with logical headings including, inevitably, a comprehensive illustrated section on 25 main Yin poses, with a slight evolution from the first edition - Camel is out, Supported Bridge is in (good call). There are also comprehensive sections on the Physical, Energetic and Psycho-Emotional aspects of Yin Yoga, some suggested flows (all things are relative).Clark is a prolific author and in his typical fashion you get a lot of detail in his books yet presented accessibly in such a way that you can dip easily into the bits you need.For me reading this book was a refresher on the practices I both teach and use personally - not to relearn them, as my own approach won't change wholesale, but as a chance to come back closer to the source (a loose concept in Yin Yoga), and get a reminder of the key concepts. I had read the first edition several times, and I am sure this revised edition will be coming on and off my book shelf.This book is, in my view, suitable for experienced practitioners of Yin Yoga, those new to it, and those anywhere in between. It is a marvellous and clear resource.

Covers postures and some sequences along with some theories regarding the link between acupuncture meridians and yin yoga poses - seems very sketchy to me. But this does not deny that yin yoga is relaxing and can improve flexibility which is no bad thing

Bernie Clark gives a great introduction to the concepts of yin yoga. A great resource for your own practice, and reference point for teachers too.

A bit heavy on unnecessary text at times, but as a relative newbie to Yin Yoga, it’s helped hugely to read what seems to be the definitive guide to the slow stretchy practice. Whilst some of it does bang on a bit about theory, etc the how-to stuff is accessible and well written. Definitely worthwhile.

Very detailed, covers everything from the history of Yin to detailed descriptions, including photos of the asana, modifications and contraindications. A great study for teachers and students.

It explains yoga from a great perspective and the most I like that is linking the meridians to each pose. Beautiful book with an abundance of knowledge. It made me love yin yoga so much.

What a wonderful yoga book. So beautifully written. Everything very clearly and simply explained. Very good layout of explanation of each pose with lots of photos. I have wanted this book for almost 20years and now finally bought in this second edition. What a breath of fresh air this book is, after being bombarded with social media-style yoga!!!! Thank you.

This book explains yin yoga so well that in my opinion the only thing you need if you want to teach is to practice the cues of it !Otherwise read this and you’re ready to teach as long as you have some other yoga training and insurance.Get the updated version by the way !!