Blending Yin and Yang: How Training with Yoga Masters Shaped My Teaching Style

When I first stepped onto a yoga mat in my early twenties, I had no idea it would become the foundation of my career and the anchor of my own wellbeing. Back then, I was looking for something to help with stress, a way to slow down in the middle of life’s demands. What I found was so much more than just movement — yoga became a lifelong practice, and my teachers have been central to shaping not only how I practice, but how I now guide others.

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to learn from some of the most respected names in yoga. Each one brought something unique, and together their teachings helped me develop a style that blends yin and yang approaches — balancing strength and energy with stillness and restoration.

Discovering the Yin and Yang of Yoga

Yoga is thousands of years old, with traditions that are vast and varied. Some styles emphasise flow, strength, and stamina (yang energy), while others focus on stillness, surrender, and deep introspection (yin energy).

When I began my teacher training with Simon Low, I was introduced to this concept of balance. Simon is known for his yin and yang teaching style — combining classical Hatha and flowing Vinyasa sequences with restorative and yin postures. For me, this was a revelation.

I realised that yoga didn’t need to be one or the other. It wasn’t about always pushing harder, or always slowing down. It was about listening: some days the body craves movement and heat, other days it needs time to soften, release, and restore. This philosophy became a cornerstone of my practice and my teaching.

Learning from World-Renowned Teachers

After my initial training, I sought out more knowledge, and I was lucky to learn from some of the world’s leading voices in yoga.

• Bernie Clark – Author of The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga and founder of yinyoga.com, Bernie’s approach gave me a deeper understanding of fascia, connective tissue, and the importance of stillness. His teachings reinforced that yin yoga isn’t about forcing yourself into postures, but about finding the shape that works for your body, and then letting gravity and time do the work.

• Paul Grilley – Widely regarded as the founder of Yin Yoga, Paul’s emphasis on anatomy and skeletal variation was eye-opening. He taught that there is no “perfect” posture, because every bone shape and joint structure is unique. This has hugely influenced the way I adapt my classes for individuals.

• Charlotte Watts – Charlotte’s somatic training opened up a whole new layer of understanding, particularly around stress, resilience, and nervous system regulation. Her approach helped me see yoga as not just physical exercise but as a practice that can support modern life — from easing anxiety to improving sleep and focus.

Each of these teachers deepened my toolkit. They showed me that yoga is both an art and a science, with space for creativity, exploration, and personalisation.

Bringing Yin and Yang into My Teaching

When people come to my classes at Yoga and Pilates, they can expect a practice that adapts to who is in the room. Some sessions are dynamic, with sequences that build strength, mobility, and stamina. Others weave in longer-held postures, mindfulness, and guided breathwork.

A typical class might begin with pranayama (breathwork) to settle the mind, move into flowing sequences that mobilise the spine in all directions, and finish with restorative yin poses and a guided relaxation. The aim is always the same: to leave you feeling balanced — energised yet calm, strong yet spacious.

Importantly, I encourage everyone to work at their own level. My role as a teacher is not to push people into shapes that don’t serve them, but to offer options and adaptations. Sometimes I’m effectively teaching three or four variations of the same exercise at once, so each person can find the version that works for their body. That flexibility in approach comes directly from my yin and yang training.

Why Balance Matters

So many of us live in a very yang world — busy schedules, constant demands, endless to-do lists. When we arrive on the mat, it’s tempting to keep that same energy: to push, to sweat, to keep going. But what we often need is the opposite: stillness, softness, a chance to simply be.

This is where yin practice is so powerful. Long-held poses work deeply into the connective tissues, nourishing the joints and calming the nervous system. It’s an opportunity to switch off from the rush and give both body and mind permission to rest.

On the other hand, yang practices — flowing sequences, strength work, mobility drills — keep the body resilient, strong, and able to meet the physical demands of everyday life. They also help to burn off excess energy, release tension, and leave you with a satisfying sense of vitality.

By blending yin and yang, we get the best of both worlds. Clients often tell me they leave class feeling not just stretched or strengthened, but balanced — a word that comes up time and again.

Client Experiences

Over the years I’ve seen how this balance transforms people. Some of my students arrive for their first class feeling stiff, tired, or overwhelmed. By the end, they often say they feel “lighter,” “calmer,” or “like a weight has been lifted.” Others have shared stories of how regular practice has eased back or shoulder pain, improved posture, or simply given them that one hour in the week where they can fully switch off.

One of the most common things I hear is: “I didn’t realise how much I needed the slower poses until I tried them.” Many people are surprised by how powerful yin can be — it looks gentle, but staying still in a posture for several minutes challenges the mind as much as the body. On the flip side, those who come seeking calm often find that adding a little yang movement gives them strength and confidence they didn’t know they had.

Continuing to Learn and Share

I see myself as a lifelong student. Even after 15 years of teaching, I still attend trainings, retreats, and classes with other teachers, because I believe we never stop learning.

For me, investing in my own growth ensures that my students get the best of what I can offer. And it keeps me inspired, too. Every training reminds me why I first fell in love with these practices: because they change lives, quietly but profoundly.

Final Thoughts: Living the Yin and Yang

Yoga is not just what happens on the mat. The philosophy of balance — yin and yang, effort and ease — carries into everyday life. It’s about learning when to push forward and when to pause, when to be strong and when to be gentle with ourselves.

That’s why I teach the way I do: blending different approaches, offering choices, and always encouraging awareness. My goal is for every client to leave feeling better than when they arrived — more present, more at ease, and more connected to themselves.

Because at its heart, yoga isn’t about perfect postures or ticking boxes. It’s about finding balance. And that balance is something we can all carry with us, long after we’ve rolled up the mat.