Ep 184 Paul Grilley - The Origins of Power and Yin Yoga

The Importance of a Mature Understanding of Yoga


www.paulgrilley.com | @paulandsuzeegrilley 


Paul Grilley, known for his work in Yin Yoga, discusses his
journey in yoga and the evolution of yoga in the West along with
the secularization of yoga and the rise of power yoga in LA. Paul
shares his realization that no matter how much he practiced,
there were poses he would never be able to do, which led him to
explore Yin Yoga. He mentions his encounter with Paulie Zink, who
emphasized the importance of holding poses for a longer duration
and his experience studying with David Williams. 


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Key Points


 


 


·      Paul Grilley started his yoga journey with
Hatha yoga and explored various styles, including Bikram and
Ashtanga.


·      The secularization of yoga in the
West was influenced by the popularity of dance aerobics and the
desire for a more intense and dynamic workout.


·      Paul Grilley realized that no
matter how much he practiced, there were poses he would never be
able to do, which led him to explore Yin Yoga.


·      Yin Yoga emphasizes holding poses
for a longer duration and provides a different approach to yoga
practice.


·      Paul Grilley's encounter with
Paulie Zink further reinforced the importance of Yin Yoga and its
benefits for the body and martial arts. David Williams and Polly
Zink were influential teachers for Paul Grilley due to their
generosity and lack of a guru mentality.


·      Yin Yoga originated from Paul's
study with Polly Zink, who referred to it as Taoist Yoga.


·      The concept of fascia and its
role in stretching is important in understanding the body's
response to yoga practice.


·      Individual variations in skeletal
structure can impact range of motion and flexibility.


·      Paul emphasizes the harmonization
of energy flow in the body as a key aspect of yoga practice. The
breath is a tool to become aware of the movement of prana in the
body during pranayama and bandhas.


·      The ultimate goal is to achieve
pratyahara, a state where one is physiologically deaf, blind, and
unaware of the physical body.


·      Pratyahara allows for conscious
experiences detached from the body and leads to true mystical and
spiritual experiences.


·      Understanding the movement of
prana and achieving pratyahara requires a mature understanding
and practice of yoga.