r/yoga
Ok Yin ppl…what is up with the alternate nomenclature for pose names?
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The Question
I have taken a handful of Yin / ish classes over the years (and enjoy moving slowly and find the practice approach interesting) but always get a bit confused and thrown off by the alternate names that seem to only exist within yin yoga or might even be the same name as a totally different pose in another yoga tradition. My question is why? Why the differentiation? It feels needlessly confusing to me, but maybe I'm just missing something and haven't found the right resource. Who named the…
— via r/yoga
Our Response
You're not missing anything.
Yin yoga was created in the 1970s by a martial artist named Paulie Zink. Paul Grilley systematized it in the '90s.
They renamed poses on purpose.
The idea was: different intention, different name. Yin targets connective tissue. Longer holds. Different goal than muscular engagement.
So "Sleeping Swan" instead of Pigeon. "Caterpillar" instead of Paschimottanasana.
Is it confusing? Yes.
Is there a good reason? Debatable.
Some teachers think it helps students drop the baggage of what they think a pose should look like.
Others think it's just branding.
Here's what matters: if you're practicing Ashtanga, you don't need to learn Yin names. If you're taking Yin classes, learn them there. Keep the systems separate in your head.
They're different practices with different goals.
Don't try to merge the vocabulary. You'll just confuse yourself.
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