Forging a path of true and tender liberation through
yin yoga, meditation &
spiritual companionship

Welcome

Our space is open to all those seeking compassionate practices for integration, self-inquiry, inner freedom, and soothing a frayed nervous systemThis is not the unattainable pursuit of being in a constant state of balance, but about exploring and cultivating the energy behind the many aspects within, allowing it to flow like a river, carving new paths of ease back to the center of our true being.We have come to see life as a pilgrimage, crossing many sacred thresholds on the journey, some graceful and luminous, others cloaked in suffering and sorrow, but equally as holy. We learn to invite pause and presence on our path, becoming truly intertwined with the ever-present wonder of life, always inviting us to play.At Yinfolk we work specifically with functional yin yoga; stimulating the deep connective tissues, bones, and meridian pathways in order to revitalize the fluids, flexibility, and strength of the body, mind, and spirit. This enables us to meditatively observe the vast and varied landscape of our inner being, with a newfound curiosity and compassion, getting to know ourselves better and unveiling our deepest longings.Spiritual accompaniment is a practice very close to our hearts, and we are open to 1:1 sessions upon request. Here we offer a safe and confidential space of deep listening beyond words alone, reflections, and creative practices as you unfold and explore your own personal connection to your spiritual self. More details can be found further down this page.Join us in weaving a safe and inspiring community of support, companionship, and authenticity!

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offerings

TRUE & TENDER LIBERATION

Self-paced online
Yin Yoga & Meditation Retreat

A compassionate practice of
self-inquiry, inner freedom
and soothing a frayed nervous system.

Functional Yin Yoga

Every body and skeleton is unique - and so is the way we move through the world.By focusing on the skeletal differences, we can tune into our own unique constitutions and explore different variations to achieve the desired healing benefits.Being guided away from the aesthetic chains and into a holistic focus for every type of person and circumstance is a game changer - on and off the mat.The healing work truly begins when we rest long enough in the poses, for the stretch or the compression to reach deep beyond our muscles and into the bones, connective tissue, and meridian energy pathways.Likewise, I encourage significant time for “rebound” poses after each yin pose, in order to re-balance and feel the effect of the work before moving on.In this way, Yin Yoga masterfully offers the gentle but transformative practice of true presence, patience, and allowing. Paradoxically, this kind of stillness naturally creates space for movements and awakening of our inner world.

Meditation

We offer guided meditations and reflections with kind yet powerful prompts, for exploring and cultivating your inner landscapes.
We practice the art of being a compassionate and curious observer of our own inner stirrings; to notice what is hurting us, what we long for, and what might be awakening within.Guided meditations drip throughout each yin session, and are also available as separate meditation sessions to inspire your own rituals.These meditations are inspired by diverse teachings and techniques, including:

  • Pranayama breathwork techniques to encourage further embodiment and connection in our life on and off the mat.

  • Tara Brach RAIN mindfulness and compassion steps.

  • Contemplative meditation and prayer, holding a word, phrase, or prayer at heart.

  • Ancient yogic mantras and chakra study.

  • Taoist teachings of the 5 elements.

  • A general focus on co-creation with nature, that you are not separate, and that your being is loved, needed, and valued.

Spiritual companionship

Spiritual accompaniment is a 1:1 conversation in person or online, where we focus on you as a pilgrim of life on your own spiritual journey. We explore your inner life, your relationship to the divine, and how nurturing this can help guide you through life.This is not conventional therapy, but rather a co-creation between the pilgrim, the companion, and spirit, and it has been incredibly liberating for myself and others.Most people wrestle with big questions like:
Who am I? What do I seek or long for? What path should I take? Who or what is God to me?As a spiritual companion, I am graced to consciously accompany you on your spiritual journey while bearing witness without judgment or agenda, but in celebration of your personal pathway.
My role is to be a mirror of your own inherent wisdom and to facilitate a safe, sacred, and openhearted space for your inner explorations to unfold.
I listen intently to what your words, subtle body language, breath, and emotions reveal about your inner stirrings. We will practice noticing how
traces of spirit show up in your life and explore how consolation and desolation serve as a compass of discernment when faced with big choices.Many things might be revealed to you by the reflections and listening alone, mostly integration or change will be drawn out of your own wisdom, and if needed I will offer suggestions on new or deepened practices to try.
We can also incorporate other creative modalities such as chanting, singing, art, movement, and more if this speaks to you.As a spiritual companion, I am ethically bound to confidentiality, and regularly receive my own accompaniment, training, and supervision.Sessions are offered at a sliding scale based on resources.
Contact yinfolkyoga@gmail.com or fill out the interest form below for a
free discovery call with Michala.

MEET Michala

I am an educator specializing in yin yoga, meditation, and spiritual companionship.My passion is facilitating space, inspiration, and encouragement for you to explore your unique life path with delight and compassion.The experience of feeling overwhelmed and inhabiting stress has been no stranger to me throughout my life, so there is always an immediate sense of relief and kinship when another person shares their story of vulnerability with me. That alone can have such a powerful healing effect and is why I am so devoted to compassionate relating, intentional living, and generous presence both for myself and others.My background is informed by yin yoga, hatha/vinyasa yoga, the 5 rhythms dance, sacred dance, Waldorf pedagogy and Anthroposophy, permaculture, contemplative meditation and prayer, spiritual companionship, and nature as the ultimate facilitator and teacher.
I strive to honor the roots and core practices at the heart of all compassionate spiritual and religious approaches without borders.It is my greatest joy to share this space with you in the hopes that it brings you as much healing and belonging as it continues to bring me.

  • 200 hour Hatha & Vinyasa yoga teacher training with PachaMama

  • 80 hour Yin yoga anatomy & Meridians teacher training with Ekhart Yoga Academy, Online

  • Spiritual accompaniment training with Ådalen Retræte, Denmark

  • 40 days silence retreat, Ådalen Retræte, Denmark / Lia Gård Norway

  • 3 years of Waldorf Early Years teacher training & Anthroposophy with Rudolf Steiner Børnehaveseminariet, Denmark

  • 8 months Dance Teacher Training with Vestjyllands Højskole, Denmark

  • 1 year Permaculture, meditation & ecovillage community living, Findhorn Foundation, Scotland

The 5 elements of Yin Yoga

In honoring and gratitude to the ancestors of the lineage of yoga as well as all wisdom streams woven into this, here is a short intro to some of the gifts within the elements of traditional Chinese medicine.

WOOD

The element of wood is connected to the season of spring, the time of rebirth, renewal, and awakening.
It enables us to be strongly rooted in our past, flexible to the present while keeping a broad overview of the future.When this energy is free-flowing and balanced, it manifests in us as vibrant, expressive, enthusiastic, flexible, and creative.
It helps us organize our ideas into expression.
When stagnant or excessive, the energy can manifest as irritation, impatience, anger, or inability to change.The organs connected to this element are the liver (yin) and gallbladder (yang).

FIRE

The element of fire belongs to the season of summer. This element teaches us about sharing and receiving love.The fire personality is inspiring and passionate. They exude joy, charisma, sociability, leadership, and articulation.
They motivate laughter and connection in others and are artistic, creative, and ambitious.
When out of balance, it can manifest as an excessive need for acknowledgment, erratic behavior, overstimulation,
loss of focus, and manipulation.The organs connected to this element are the heart (yin) and small intestines (yang).

EARTH

The element of earth is connected to the season of late summer when the harvest sets in.
The virtue of this element is peace-making and contentment.A person with a strong and healthy earth energy flow is often caring, empathetic, loyal, and nurturing.
They exude kindness and patience and are hard-working. The energy is content, ripe, generous, and grateful.
When the energy is stagnant or excessive, it can manifest as smothering, worry, lack of boundaries, overindulgence, and resentment.The organs connected to this element are the stomach (yin) and spleen (yang).

METAL

The element of metal is connected to the season of autumn, the energy being cooling,
contracting, turning inward, protective and discerning.
The virtue of metal is alchemical transformation, diving deep, marking the end of a cycle, and allowing natural change to occur,
self-actualization, and giving us deep inner strength.A person with strong and free-flowing metal energy is often intellectual, inquisitive, detail-oriented, and analytical.
They are tolerant and acceptant of change and can transform an overwhelming amount of information and personal
deep diving into a clear and holistic picture.
When this energy is stagnant or excessive, it can manifest as perfectionism, melancholy, depression, anxiety, inability to let go,
respiratory issues and dry skin.The organs connected to this element are the lungs (yin) and the large intestines (yang).

WATER

The element of water is connected to the season of winter.
The virtue of this element is rest, wisdom, the essence of life, and the foundation for rebirth.A personality strongly influenced by the element of water exudes wisdom, patience, gentleness, endurance, and depth.
They can be strong-willed, confident, and natural leaders or teachers.
They are often approached for advice as they naturally deliver knowledge into lived wisdom.When out of balance it can manifest as a fundamental mistrust in life, fear, emotional paralysis, and low vitality.
The organs connected to this element are the bladder (yin) and the kidneys (yang).

Let's connect

Please, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, messages, or requests.
We would love to hear from you!

© Yinfolkyoga. All rights reserved.

FREE YIN YOGA SESSION

Thank you for joining our community.
We hope you enjoy our gift to you.

Welcome to this complimentary and serene practice of Yin Yoga and meditation.Through the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine, this session offers a tender immersion into the heart of love and compassion, inviting us to explore our inner landscape and observe how it shapes our lives and actions.You will be lovingly guided through poses and meditative reflections crafted to harmonize and balance your physical and energetic being. We offer various options for each pose, encouraging you to approach them with a spirit of curiosity and wonder.At Yinfolk Yoga, we cherish functionality over aesthetics. Recognizing the unique nature of each individual's skeletal structure, we offer variations for every pose throughout our sessions. Our demonstrations may not encompass every possible variation, so we invite you to wander beyond the shown poses, experimenting with different props and movements to discover what resonates most deeply with your body. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to Yin Yoga; instead, we honor and celebrate our differences for the enrichment and inspiration of ourselves and one another.If you ever find yourself struggling, don't hesitate to retreat into a simpler pose that soothes your nervous system. Trust that there is no singular way of doing it "right," and that profound rest in a simple pose, along with allowing whatever arises, is immensely beneficial.Listening to your body's whispers throughout any practice is vital— never push into sharp, stinging, or painful sensations. Instead, seek out sensations that feel soothing, relaxing, or gently aching over a broader area. If you notice a tendency to always push your limit, see if you can step back a few paces from the edge. This prevents injury and opens up much more space for transformation over time.To prepare for the course, gather the following items:

  • A yoga mat or a therapeutic mat for support.

  • Two yoga blocks or sturdy books to assist in your practice.

  • A bolster or a rolled-up blanket to provide additional comfort and support.

  • Several pillows to enhance relaxation and ease tension.

  • A blanket to keep warm.

  • For best video quality, click the settings icon in the video window and select a higher quality.

Don't hesitate to contact us at yinfolkyoga@gmail.com or via www.yinfolkyoga.com with any questions.If you enjoyed your experience in this class, we warmly invite you to join our vibrant community. We offer an in-depth Yin Yoga and meditation course, "True & Tender Liberation," as well as 1:1 or group Spiritual Companionship, and connection in person and online.May we journey inward with courage and compassion, trusting in the wisdom of our bodies and the infinite wellspring of our being.
Welcome home, dear ones, to the sanctuary of Yin Yoga.