Yin showed me in
When I discovered Yin Yoga through Bernie Clark, during my first 200-hour teacher training, I was illuminated to a whole new way of practicing — and being. Bernie has such a skillful way, not only with teaching the principles of Yin, but in the way he teaches with stories and science (both Eastern and Western) and holding space.
The stillness wasn’t easy, or the staying at my edge. But what I started experiencing through the Yin practice was nothing short of transformative. After class, I often felt lighter, more connected and more grounded in myself, with an emerging sense of clarity. With an increased perception of my physical self and sense of ease, I became all in to Yin.
From there, I went on to train with one of the founders of Yin Yoga, Sarah Powers, and to deep dive into Traditional Chinese Medicine with Lonney Jarret and Stephen Brown — and the journey continues. For me, learning is a lifelong practice and I’m deeply grateful for those who have guided my path. It is in service of the knowledge they bring forth that I’m a teacher myself today.
My deepest intention in offering Yin Yoga classes is to co-create space to support the nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety and build connection.
About Yin Yoga
Benefits of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga encourages the development of body awareness (somatic intelligence), which includes our understanding of where our bodies are in space (proprioception) and our own inner awareness (interoception). From finding the appropriate depth of a stretch to learning over time which practices evoke the felt sense of restoration and clarity, inner awareness invites us to discover the impact poses have on the more subtle parts of ourselves. Because inner awareness is interwoven with our capacity to attune to others, Yin Yoga fosters the biology of connection.
Soften to Strenghen
The meditative aspects of Yin Yoga support heart-rate variability which is correlated with improved immunological biomarkers. The meditative aspects of yin yoga offer the supportive container to get to know the body as it is moment to moment supporting the habit of responsiveness and care on and off the mat.
Yin Yoga Pose Names
Yin Yoga renamed classic Hatha poses to encourage a different way to experience the postures. Although the yoga pose looks the same from the outside, we are targeting the tendons, ligaments, fascia, and bones and fluids of the body rather than the muscles and cardiovascular system of the body. Using these names helps encourage beginners’ mind and allows experienced yoga practitioners to approach the posture in a new way. Yin is practiced to support maintaining healthy mobility.
Although our intention for the physical body is different, Yin Yoga, like all forms of Yoga, shares the intention to enliven the tissues, soften and steady the heart, and enhance and balance our energetic system.
Yin Yoga & The Body
Yin yoga is a therapeutic and functional approach to practice. It is often described as the other half of exercise. Yin is a complementary practice to more active styles of yoga supporting mobility maintenance, nervous system regulation, and subtle body balance. Working with gravity, students move slowly through poses, holding each pose for several minutes. The long-held poses in Yin Yoga facilitate stimulation in the deeper tissues including fascia, ligaments, tendons, and bones.
Functional Approach
Yin yoga teaches us to prioritize function over form, meaning that each posture has a physical and/or energetic intention. All bodies are unique and each practitioner over time learns how to adapt the external shape to initiate a specific range of motion within the joints or target stimulation in myo-fascia. The map of Traditional Chinese Medicine describes that we have lines of energy that are housed within the physical body and our practice is designed to optimize and balance the flow of Qi (energy) within these lattice- like channels called meridians..
Quotes and Kind Words
“Leah Adams is, in my opinion, one of the greatest Yin yoga teachers in the city of Seattle. She is highly knowledgeable and has been educated by some of the best in the industry. Not only does she have expertise, but she is well loved by the students and teachers she teaches. She strives for excellence and is continually growing. She is deeply compassionate and mindful of all beings. She is committed to giving to the local community and to the world.”
— LEAH ZACCARIA,
OWNER OF HAUTEYOGA AND SHEFAYOGA
“Leah is a flexible, creative, and inspiring teacher...Her passion and knowledge of Yin Yoga and traditional healing systems like Ayurveda is impressive.”
— STEPHEN BROWN,
ACUPUNCTURIST AND FACULTY MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE
“I consider myself lucky to know Leah. She is an honest and grounded teacher, full of wisdom. Perhaps more importantly, she’s dedicated to always learning. This makes her an exceptional teacher. I have witnessed students’ lives transform under Leah’s guidance. Her wise, approachable, and genuine demeanor make her a unique and invaluable teacher to our community.”
— ALYSHA FUNG KOEHLER,
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF UW MINDFULNESS PROJECT
“I have been drawn to yin yoga for its physical and mindful benefits...Leah brings a natural warmth and grace to her classes that builds such community. She has been such an inspiration with her passion for yin yoga that I have followed in her footsteps to teach others.”
— CRISTINA COVERT,
MD AND YOGA TEACHER
“I had the privilege of attending Leah's Yin Yoga training this past spring, and was taken by her ability to skillfully disseminate the teachings of yin yoga in a way that was both thoughtful and comprehensive. She is a natural teacher and leader, and I came away from the training with a new understanding of the body, mind and nervous system...I was impressed by her proficiency in and dedication to the practice, as well as her ability to teach and hold space for those who are both new and seasoned meditators. I feel privileged to know Leah. Her work in the community comes from a deep understanding of what it means to be human, and that understanding is palpable to all of those she encounters. She continues to open herself to curiosity, humility and grace - the essential components that make not only a dedicated student, but also a powerful teacher.”
— MEGHAN CHERF,
YOGA TEACHER AND LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR ASSOCIATE
“I've been an intermittent practitioner of yin yoga for the past 4 years. Not only does Leah have beautiful energy but she is also incredibly smart and well versed in anatomy, physiology, and mindfulness research (all of which she incorporates seamlessly into her classes). As a healthcare provider, I truly appreciate her flawless combination of both the evidence and the ethereal. Her positive energy, heartfelt messages, and guidance through the yin practice has been an incredible blessing to me and other members of the healthcare community during these uncertain and trying times.”
— ALISON RYAN,
HIGH RISK SCREENING AND GENETICS NURSE PRACTITIONER
“Leah helped me find the strength and courage of healing my inner and outer self...Going through cancer treatment is overwhelming, emotional and frightening. I also had two young children a husband and lived 3 hours away from where I was being treated in Seattle. Even though I had a huge support system of family, friends and doctors, the gentle poses and words of loving kindness still stay with me. Even when I thought there was nothing my body could do, Leah would show me that I was alway capable of something. I have learned and continue to learn so much from Leah. She is one of my greatest gifts!”
— STEPHANIE MAIERS
Leah Adams is a truly transformative Ayurvedic practitioner...Not only does she possess an exceptional knowledge base in her field but she has an inherent talent to see her patients at a level much deeper than their surface physical ailments. Leah has a holistic approach that goes beyond treating a specific concern and translates into finding an energetic balance which ultimately establishes healthy patterns that become part of daily practice. Words that come to mind when I think of my work with Leah include thrive, replenish, nourish and sustain.”
— SARAH FOSTER,
MD AND YOGA TEACHER