Why Slowing Down Matters: How Yoga Inflammation Research Supports Yin & Restorative Practice
At Southern Om, we believe that the most profound transformation often happens in stillness — in the quiet moments when the body can heal, the mind can settle, and the breath can truly be heard. Our Yin and Restorative classes are more than a gentle alternative — they are a scientifically supported path to deeper wellness.
A 2019 systematic review titled “Impact of Yoga on Inflammatory Biomarkers” synthesized 15 studies exploring how yoga practices affect markers of inflammation in adults with chronic health conditions. The review found that 11 of the 15 studies reported positive effects on inflammation markers (e.g. C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor) from before to after yoga interventions.
Here’s how that science connects with your practice at Southern Om:
🔍 What the Research Tells Us
1. Yoga can reduce systemic inflammation
The review noted that many yoga interventions (combining postures, breathing, and meditation) led to reductions in inflammatory biomarkers. Since chronic inflammation is tied to conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and immune disorders, the ability of yoga to modulate inflammation is compelling for overall health.
2. Greater “dose” = stronger effects
The authors observed that interventions totaling more than 1,000 minutes of yoga across the study period showed more consistent improvements. This supports the idea that regular, sustained practice — not just occasional classes — is key to long-term change.
✨ Why Yin & Restorative Are Especially Powerful
Gentle, long-held poses give connective tissues time to release tension without strain.
Deep, meditative breathing is used in both styles, which helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, countering fight-or-flight stress responses.
Supportive props and comfort orientation ensure the body is relaxed, not resisting — a crucial state for recovery and healing.
Together, the physical, breath, and mental components create a holistic environment for calming systemic stress — which in turn can regulate inflammation.
When you show up consistently for Yin or Restorative, you’re not simply “doing yoga” — you're engaging in a sustained practice that may help lower inflammation, reduce stress, and nourish your body from the inside out.
💆♀️ What This Means for You at Southern Om
Balance your intense practices. After hot yoga, Inferno, or Sculpt classes, Yin and Restorative Stretch provide restorative counterbalance.
Reduce stress and support recovery. These classes are ideal days to prioritize healing, sleep, and mental rest.
Commit regularly. Just a 60-minute session multiple times per week contributes meaningfully over time.
Feel the difference. Between the heat, the flow, and the stillness — you’ll sense how the body softens, the mind quiets, and the heart opens.
Join the Restorative Side of Heat
At Southern Om, we invite you to sink into the support of Yin and Restorative classes. Whether you're seeking balance, recovery, emotional calm, or deep connection to your inner self — these practices are here for you.
Start by exploring our upcoming schedule and consider weaving one or two Yin or Restorative sessions into your week. Over time, you may discover a new depth in your body, mind, and sense of ease — all rooted in the quiet, healing power of slow.