Let’s talk about yoga (but not the Instagram kind)

The way we move often mirrors what we need, or what we think we should need. Are you chasing intensity because you thrive on challenge, or avoiding stillness because it's uncomfortable? Do you gravitate toward stillness because it nourishes you, or because pushing yourself feels daunting? Whatever you choose, it should feed you, stretch you (literally and figuratively), and bring actual joy. For me? That’s yoga.

Yoga isn’t just about moving. It’s about knowing when to stop!

In today’s fast-paced world, modern stress culture has us convinced that the cure for overwhelm is... more doing. When overwhelmed, our instinct is to go into overdrive, hit the gym like we're training for the Olympics, cram our schedules with to-do lists, start a juice cleanse we didn’t think through, and generally run ourselves into the ground. Because obviously, the solution to exhaustion is... more exhaustion, right? Trust me, I've been there too! But true balance comes from honoring both movement and stillness, action and rest. That’s where the magic of practicing both Yin and Vinyasa yoga lies.

Vinyasa: the firestarter (in a good way)

Vinyasa Yoga, is your go-to for energy, strength, and feeling like a grounded badass. It’s dynamic, fluid, and masculine, waking up your body, mind, and “let’s do this” mode. This movement stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for focus, action, and motivation. While beneficial, constantly operating in this state can lead to burnout, anxiety, fatigue, mental fog, and difficulty winding down at the end of the day. It’s like running on espresso fumes: wired, anxious, and eventually… wiped out.

Yin: the art of the exhale

Yin Yoga, is the counterbalance, soft, slow, and deeply restorative. It teaches you to be instead of do, a radical and necessary shift in a world that glorifies constant productivity. Activating the parasympathetic nervous system (aka your rest-and-digest mode), signaling the body that it’s safe to relax. This is the space where healing happens. It’s stillness with purpose, like unclenching a muscle you didn’t even realize was tight or finally exhaling after realizing you’ve been clenching your jaw for hours.  

You can’t drive with just the gas pedal

Life without stillness is like a car without brakes. Sure, you can keep accelerating, but eventually you’re going to crash. That’s what life feels like when we focus solely on movement and productivity. Balancing Vinyasa and Yin is like giving yourself both power and pause, strength when you need it, surrender when you don’t. One simply can’t exist without the other, just like WiFi needs a strong signal, the sun needs the moon, or like coffee needs a Monday morning.

Why both styles matter (and why it’s not one-size-fits-all)

Feeling drained? Yin. Feeling stuck? Vinyasa. The magic is in listening to your body’s signals instead of steamrolling them. The goal isn’t perfect balance every day; it’s being tuned in enough to give yourself what you actually need rather than reacting to stress with more stress.

Your nervous system called. It wants balance.

Practicing both Yin and Vinyasa helps regulate your energy, reduce stress, and reconnect with yourself. It’s not about being more “productive.” It’s about being present. When you balance movement with stillness, you're not just doing yoga, you're changing your entire state of being.

Real-life example: If you’ve ever felt exhausted after a long workday but still pushed yourself through an intense workout, only to crash later, your nervous system was likely craving rest, not more stimulation. Conversely, if you’ve felt sluggish or uninspired, a dynamic Vinyasa flow could be the spark you need to shift your energy.

TL; DL: You need both pedals to ride the bike

Strength without softness is burnout. Stillness without movement is stagnation. Together, they create the kind of internal balance that actually feels good. The kind that’s sustainable.

Meet you on the mat! 

Whatever your practice looks like, fast, slow, messy, still - it’s valid. And it’s worth showing up for.

Love & Light,
Emma

You can find upcoming events and classes on Instagram @mantramoon.