Yin Yoga Poses with Props: A "Fireside" Chat with Nyk Danu

This episode is an EPIC conversation with my friend Nyk Danu about the question of if, when, how, and why we use yoga props in Yin Yoga. Nyk is the host of A Yin Yoga Podcast, and she reached out to propose this crossover episode to share on both of our shows, because the no-props-in-Yin myth is a topic near and dear to both of our hearts. So what you’ll hear here is less of an interview and more of a back and forth, or “fireside chat” (as Nyk calls it) where we really unpack this sometimes-controversial Yin subject. As you’ll hear, the question of whether (or how) to use props in Yin Yoga touches on issues like accessibility, able-ism, trauma-informed teaching, and all kinds of cultural conditioning that sneaks into our practice. We talk about what it means to be true to a style or lineage, and how we align with the principles that make a Yin practice “yin.”  As we explore where the anti-props misnomer comes from, Nyk and I also reflect on our experiences training with the founders of the Yin Yoga style, and how the functional approach to yoga requires that we adapt poses to individual bodies. We also give several specific examples of how props have helped our students get more from the practice, and debunk the assumption that you’ll outgrow using props as your practice advances.  There are also some practical suggestions for situations where minimal props are available, or where propping is too complicated or unable to solve a student's challenge with a pose. So, pull up your favorite blankets and bolsters, get comfy, and enjoy this fun and informative Yin Yoga conversation!  ---------- Guest Bio: Nyk Danu is a certified Yoga Therapist, Yin Yoga Teacher Trainer, and Yoga business mentor. She’s a fiercely independent sagittarius, misfit, introvert, bookworm, cat charmer, crow whisperer, Buddhist, seeker of truth, and long term pro-activist who’s not-so-secretly out to save the world. In 2007 she fell madly in love with Yin Yoga and has since done 500+ hours of Yin Yoga training with Paul Grilley. Her passion for Yin Yoga sparked a deep resonance and curiosity for Traditional Chinese Medicine. This then drew her to study 2300 hours of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Pacific Rim College. Nyk has since combined her Yoga Therapy Training, Yin Yoga training and Traditional Chinese Medicine knowledge to create a unique Therapeutic Yin Yoga teacher training program, and she is also the host of A Yin Yoga Podcast. ---------- For more links and resources mentioned in this episode, find the show notes at movedtomeditate.yoga/podcast. Holiday Sale: Use discount code HOLIDAY24 before December 24th to take 24% off the 8-hour Yin Yoga Poses + Props Training (normally $149)! To learn more about Nyk’s work, visit her website at nykdanu.com, or check out her Yin Yoga Podcast!  Follow Nyk on Instagram at @nykdanuyoga  Feel free to reach out through my website with any episode requests, topics you'd like to hear about, or guest interview suggestions. You can also connect with me on Instagram or Threads at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, pictures of Pacific Northwest nature, crocheting projects, and my adorable kitty, Mustache).