Yin Yoga Classes in Putney, SW15
Slow down. Go deep. Let the practice do the work.
Try 21 days for £50 See the timetableThe yoga of stillness — with depth.
Yin yoga involves holding floor-based postures for three to five minutes — sometimes longer. Unlike more active styles, the muscles are kept relatively relaxed, which allows a slow, sustained stress to reach the deeper connective tissue: fascia, ligaments, tendons and joints.
The idea is that this deeper tissue, which responds too slowly to benefit from faster-paced yoga, needs time and stillness to open. The results — greater mobility, reduced stiffness, and a quieter nervous system — often surprise people who expect yoga to be mainly about movement.
In a Yin class at Phoenix, each posture is introduced with guidance on where you should feel it, what to look for as the body settles, and when to make small adjustments. Breathing is central. The room is usually quieter than in dynamic classes, and time between poses allows the body to integrate.
Most people find their first Yin class a revelation — either because of the physical release, or because of how calm they feel at the end of it.
Deeper than a stretch.
Yin reaches the parts of the body that other yoga styles can’t always get to — and it has a measurable effect on the nervous system too.
Connective tissue health
Long-held poses stimulate the fascia and ligaments in a way that short holds don’t reach. The result is improved joint mobility and reduced stiffness, particularly in the hips, lower back and shoulders.
Nervous system reset
Yin activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the rest-and-digest response. Many people report deeper sleep, reduced anxiety and a genuine sense of calm after regular practice.
Mindfulness on the mat
Staying in one position for minutes at a time teaches you to observe discomfort without reacting — a skill that translates directly off the mat. Yin is as much a meditation practice as a physical one.
Yin is a good fit if…
People come to Yin from many different starting points. Here are some of the most common.
You carry chronic tightness in the hips, lower back or shoulders
You’re an athlete or runner looking to balance a demanding training load
You feel stressed or overstimulated and want something that actively calms you
You want a meditation practice but find sitting still very difficult
You’re recovering from injury and need a gentle, joint-focused approach
You already do a dynamic yoga practice and want to balance it out
Yin Yoga FAQ
Yin yoga involves holding floor-based postures for 3–5 minutes or longer. The long holds work into the deeper connective tissue — fascia, ligaments and joints — rather than the muscles, which release more quickly.
Yes — Yin is one of the most accessible styles for beginners. The pace is slow, poses are supported, and your teacher will always offer modifications. It’s also deeply calming, which can make it easier to settle into than a faster-paced practice.
Not at all. Yin works with your body exactly as it is. The goal isn’t to get into a ‘perfect’ shape — it’s to find an appropriate edge and breathe. Tighter students often find they benefit most.
Many people find one to two Yin classes a week works well — either alongside a more dynamic practice, or on its own. It’s gentle enough to do frequently, and the restorative benefits accumulate over time.
Both are slow and floor-based, but there are key differences. Yin poses apply a gentle stress to connective tissue — the mild sensation is intentional and therapeutic. Restorative yoga uses props to fully support the body with no active effort at all, purely releasing. Both have their place.
Yin Yoga for Stress and Anxiety
Yin yoga is particularly well-suited to people managing stress or anxiety. The long, passive holds — typically three to five minutes — activate the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting the body out of fight-or-flight and into genuine rest. Combined with conscious breathing, a single Yin class can produce a measurable reduction in cortisol levels.
Also at Phoenix Yoga: Vinyasa Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Breathwork
Come and slow down.
Try unlimited classes for 21 days — Yin, Vinyasa, Hatha and more.
See the 21-day intro offer