Stop Forcing Your Stretch: How Exhaling Unlocks Flexibility | Yin Yoga The Spirit of Yoga — hosted by Burkhard

Do you pull harder and still feel tight?

What if flexibility depends less on muscle and more on your nervous system?

How could a long exhale change your stretching?

In this solo episode, Burkhard explores why many limits in stretching come from chronic background contraction—tension shaped by stress, fear, cold, and habit. Through the lens of yin yoga, yoga for flexibility, and mindful stretching, he explains how safety, relaxation, and the pause after exhalation invite the nervous system to release its “brakes,” allowing muscles to lengthen without force.

You’ll learn:

• Why “tight” often isn’t short muscle fibers but protective tone
• How exhaling and a brief post-exhale pause calm the system (Yoga Sutras I.34–35)
• Practical cues for yin-style, contemplative holds that build trust and range
• How to create a safe environment so letting go feels possible

Mini practice:

1. Choose a simple pose you can hold.
2. Breathe out slowly; pause 2–3 seconds.
3. Notice softening before you deepen the shape.
4. Repeat for several cycles with relaxed face, jaw, and belly.

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