Emotion

Why Emotions Often Arise During or After a Yin Yoga Class

Have you ever come out of a Yin Yoga class feeling unexpectedly emotional? Maybe tears surfaced during a pose, or a wave of feeling arrived hours later. If so, you are not alone. Emotional responses during or after Yin Yoga are common, and they are a natural part of the practice for many people.

Yin Yoga creates conditions that allow both the body and the nervous system to soften. When this happens, emotions that are usually held beneath the surface may begin to arise.

Stillness Creates Space

Unlike more dynamic styles of yoga, Yin Yoga emphasizes stillness. Postures are held for longer periods of time, often targeting the hips, pelvis, spine, and chest. These areas tend to accumulate physical tension, and for many people, emotional tension as well.

Because the practice is slow and quiet, there are fewer distractions. The mind has less to do, and the body is given time to respond. As the nervous system shifts into a more relaxed state, the defenses we unconsciously maintain can soften. This can allow stored tension, memories, or emotions to surface.

The Body and Emotions Are Interconnected

Yin Yoga teacher and author Bernie Clark explores this connection in his article Issues in Our Tissues. He notes that emotional responses during Yin Yoga are widely reported and entirely normal. Many practitioners assume they are the only ones experiencing this, but Clark emphasizes that this is a shared and well documented phenomenon.

Rather than suggesting that emotions are literally stored in the tissues in a simplistic way, Clark points to the complex relationship between the nervous system, sensation, breath, and awareness. When we hold poses for extended periods and remain present with sensation, emotional responses can naturally arise.

Clark encourages practitioners to observe what is happening without judgment. This includes noticing physical sensation, changes in breath, and the quality of the emotion itself. The practice is not about fixing or analyzing the emotion, but about allowing awareness to be present.

Why Yin Can Feel So Different

In everyday life, we often stay busy, moving quickly from one task to another. Yin Yoga removes that momentum. When movement slows and the body is supported, we may finally feel what has been waiting for attention.

Emotional responses can vary widely. Some people experience tears or sadness, while others feel relief, calm, or a sense of lightness after class. Sometimes emotions arise during a posture. Other times they appear later, once the body has fully relaxed.

All of these responses are valid. They are part of how the body processes experience when given time and safety.

Meeting Emotions When They Arise

When emotion surfaces during Yin Yoga, a few simple approaches can be helpful:

• Stay connected to your breath. Gentle awareness of breathing can support the nervous system and help you remain grounded.

• Practice self compassion. Emotional responses are not a sign of weakness or failure. They often reflect release or awareness.

• Observe rather than react. As Bernie Clark suggests, noticing what is happening without immediately trying to change it can be deeply supportive.

• Adjust or rest if needed. If an experience feels overwhelming, it is always appropriate to ease out of a pose and rest.

Who Is Bernie Clark and His Contribution to Yin Yoga

Bernie Clark is a leading teacher, writer, and educator in the Yin Yoga community. He is the author of The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga, a foundational text used by students and teachers around the world. Clark’s work is known for blending anatomy, mindfulness, and traditional yoga philosophy with a clear, grounded approach. He brings a scientific lens to Yin Yoga while honoring its meditative and experiential roots.

In Closing

Feeling emotion during or after a Yin Yoga class is common. Yin invites stillness, awareness, and time, all of which can allow deeper layers of experience to emerge. Whether the emotion is subtle or strong, it can be met with curiosity, patience, and care.

As Bernie Clark reminds us, many people experience this. Yin Yoga does not ask us to suppress what arises, but to meet it with presence. That, in itself, is a powerful part of the practice.