What Is Fascia (And Why Should You Care About It in Yoga)?

Let’s talk about fascia. You’ve probably heard the word thrown around in yoga or movement classes, but what is it, really?

Fascia is the body’s connective tissue. It’s like a full-body spiderweb made of collagen and water, wrapping around everything: muscles, bones, organs, even nerves. Imagine a three-dimensional, body-wide wetsuit that holds you together, gives you shape, and helps you move smoothly. That’s fascia.

Thomas Myers, the author of Anatomy Trains, describes fascia as the fabric of our form. He maps out what he calls “myofascial meridians”—long lines of fascia that connect distant parts of the body. Think: how your hamstrings are connected to your calves, which are connected to the soles of your feet… and how tension in your jaw can ripple all the way into your hips. Everything’s connected.

Gil Hedley takes it even deeper. He refers to fascia as the “fuzz,” the sticky, webby tissue that forms between muscles when we stop moving. You know that stiff feeling when you wake up or after sitting too long? That’s fuzz building up. Movement—especially slow, intentional movement like yin yoga—is what melts it and keeps you feeling fluid and free.

Rachel Scott, one of my teachers and an amazing yoga educator and anatomy teacher, reminds us that fascia is alive. It’s not just structural—it’s sensory. It has nerves. It feels. That means when you stretch slowly and mindfully, you're not just pulling on muscles. You're speaking directly to your fascia, helping to rehydrate, unwind, and release tension that's been sitting there quietly for years.

In yin yoga, we spend time in shapes for several minutes, which gives fascia the time it needs to respond. This isn’t about pushing or forcing—it’s about softening, listening, and creating space for your body to reorganize itself from the inside out.

Fascia is one of the most beautiful reasons I love teaching yin. It’s subtle, but the effects are profound.

Curious to explore it more? Come join me in my yin yoga teacher training—we go deep into all of this and more.

Learn about Yin Yoga YTT