Restorative Yoga Explained
Restorative Yoga is a practice that involves active relaxation with the focus not so much on the quality of poses but rather on the quantity.
The goal of Restorative Yoga is to activate the body’s relaxation responses and to enable total relaxation and surrender. Unlike other yoga practices Restorative Yoga does not seek to find the deepest sensation, or to find the deepest opening available. It actually seeks no sensation at all, but is about letting the body feel completely supported to enable complete release of all tension.
Each restorative pose is practiced on the floor or even lying on the bed. Props like bolsters, blankets, blocks and pillows provide physical support, which make the yoga poses comfortable and allows the body to stay in them for longer. They also provide a psychological support, with a feeling of being emotionally supported.
Restorative Yoga poses are held for 5-20 minutes. This enables the body’s relaxation response to be activated, allowing it to completely relax in the pose.
Restorative Yoga poses are best practiced in the evening to wind down after a busy day, or on your day off. It cultivates a sense of calm and relaxation, with restorative healing, both physically and mentally, and improved sleep benefits.
Restorative Yoga is designed to encourage blissful relaxation and to help you completely let go of any tension or resistance in body and mind, to find some well-deserved and much needed rest.
History Of Restorative Yoga
Restorative Yoga comes from BKS Iyengar (December 14, 1918 – August 20, 2014). Iyengar is acknowledged as a worldwide leader in the yoga world best known for his emphasis on alignment and deep level of anatomical detail.
Iyengar creatively devised Restorative Yoga to help heal students with injuries or illnesses. Although Restorative Yoga has evolved since BKS Iyengar, however it is still paramount that most Restorative Yoga classes are still rooted in his work.
Restorative Yoga is for everyone seeking:
- Deep rest
- Emotional support
- Respite from busy lifestyle
- To nourish the body & mind
- Reset the body & mind
- Desensitise the nervous system
Restorative Yoga can provide benefits for people who are:
- Going through stressful major life transitions
- Living with daily stresses
- Recovering from injuries or illnesses
- In need of deep relaxation
- Keen on trying a relaxing yoga practice
Restorative Yoga Benefits:
- Decreases cortisol, the stress hormone
- Improves sleep
- Improves digestion
- Strengthens immunity
- Releases tension in joints and muscles
- Teaches conscious control of relaxation
- Increases concentration
- Improves focus
- Nurtures a balanced nervous system
- Activates relaxation response
- Restorative & healing to body & mind
- Gateway to mindfulness
GIVE YOURSELF SOME KINDNESS & LOVE
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Author: Angela Taffinder the founder of Emporium Treatment Clinic. A practising Aesthetician for 35+ years, holistic and wellbeing advocate and yoga instructor. The creator of Yoga & Vitality.