Fascia Myths & Fascia Facts Part 2: Yin Yoga, Myofascial Release, & More

May 30

Written By Jenni Rawlings

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Video version of Episode 42:

Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen discuss the topic of fascia in part 2 of a 2-part series. This second episode of this 2-part series focuses on the questions:

1) Does Yin Yoga target fascia?

2) Does myofascial release work?

(Part 1 of this series focused on the questions: What is fascia? And: Can we train fascia through active movement?)

Points of discussion in this episode include:

A review of the definition of fascia
What claims does Yin Yoga make about fascia?
What is Yin Yoga?
What’s the difference between Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga?
What are the viscoelastic properties of connective tissue, and what role do they play in Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga?
Does Yin Yoga specifically target fascia?
What specific fascial tissue does Yin Yoga claim to target?
What biomechanical effect does Yin Yoga claim to have on fascia?
Does Yin Yoga target the joints and not the muscles?
Does Yin Yoga “stress” the connective tissue of the joints?
What is myofascial release?
What is a trigger point (a.k.a. a knot or adhesion)?
What effects does myofascial release have on the body?
What is a pain pressure threshold?
Does myofascial release actually release myofascia?
…And much more!