“Quiet yoga” focuses on the connective bones and tissues of the body, unlike many more “yang” style yoga practices that work the muscles. The Yin Yoga Kit is a comprehensive how-to kit that contains an informative booklet, 14 color cards with various postures, and a 75-minute CD with a guided routine and even various poses on separate tracks, enabling the viewer to build their own home routine.

Biff Mithoefer, who teaches Yin Yoga at the world famous Omega Institute and the Nosara Institute in Costa Rica, has developed this powerful yet gentle yoga practice that strengthens and empowers the body’s core and gently stretches deep connective tissue in postures that are held for three to five minutes for optimum benefit. The booklet explains in detail the 14 postures and creates a routine that is just as much about the well-being of the spirit as it is the body. We also learn about the different aspects of Yin and Yang energy, the Taoist meridian system and which meridian is associated with each posture, and the Tantric Chakras.

Gentle yoga like this is best practiced during quiet times, perhaps the morning hours, but anyone can benefit from using this program no matter what time of day they choose. It is easy to follow and the one-minute “Savasana” after each of the postures on the CD will teach you how to connect with your Qi, or chi, energy. The author also does the vocal instructions and is never intrusive as he guides you into the postures.

What makes The Yin Yoga Kit so great is the combination of the booklet, the durable double-sided cards AND the CD, all of which add to this well-rounded routine for both beginners and those who have long sought a yoga program that does more than just focus on muscle groups. This is a comprehensive package that would make a great and beneficial gift for a friend, or, even better, for yourself.