Healing from the inside out….Restorative Yoga

Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2023

Restorative yoga is a rest-based practice that is ideal for a
beginner, with no experience or flexibility; including those
with physical limitations and everyone in between. There are
so many benefits in this practice yet it is overlooked by most.
It can be described as relaxing, rejuvenating, and
replenishing. Restorative yoga can be done for 5 minutes a
day or longer. The class is yoga-based poses that are moved
into slowly and then held with props. Many use blankets or
blocks allowing for deep relaxation and stillness. At home, if
these are not available, using pillows, cushions or blankets
will work as well. Setting the mood is very important and
should not be overlooked. This should include low lighting,
soft music, scents or essential oils, and no distractions. If you
have other choices for relaxation, always feel free to use those
as well.
Some of the many benefits of restorative yoga are quieting
the mind, improving mood, and releasing anxiety and body aches.
As well as, stretching sore muscles, emotional relaxation,
improved respiration, lowered blood pressure and heart rate
, and improved immune system. Our bodies are amazing and
can restore and heal themselves. Always listen to your
body. Are you experiencing pain? Is maintaining breath
difficult? How can you make this work? Modify. Pull back or
push forward as you need.
During class, or at your home practice, you always want to
be supported and comfortable whether that means adjusting
and re-adjusting props until comfortable or adding layers of
clothing, socks, or blankets. Our bodies will normally

decrease temperature as they relax and it is important to be
warm and comfortable. Take the time before class to set
yourself up for success. Change happens slowly, little by
little, step by step and breath by breath.
Never worry if you fall asleep during class or are on the edge
of falling asleep. We will wake you when it is appropriate.
This is very normal and does occur at times. During this time
your body has released and is no longer in the state of “fight
or flight”. You are relaxed and your body has finally unwound
itself allowing for layers to be peeled away and a new person
is emerging.
Give yourself the gift of restorative yoga and come to a
restorative yoga class. Your body will thank you. You could
also do a short daily pose for a minimum of 5 minutes at
home. Try, legs up the wall or Viparita Karani. This is a basic
pose that helps with circulation, aching feet, opening the
chest, reducing fatigue, and stretching the passive breathing
muscles. Begin by lying on the floor, with a blanket under
your hips, next to a wall. Ribs, hips, and legs are parallel to the wall,
then swing legs up the wall. Legs can stay together and
straight. Or, legs can be bent, placing the soles of the feet
together or any other option that is comfortable to you. After
a time, if your low back becomes sensitive, move your bottom
away from the wall and/or bend your knees slightly. Come out of
this pose slowly and lie on your side for several breaths.
Then slowly come to a seated position. This pose allows for
new blood to circulate through the legs and feet. As we stand all day,
blood begins to pool into our feet. This posture helps remove
the discomfort of swollen legs and lets the body begin to
relax.

Let’s create space so your body can heal. Start from the
inside, where there are fears, toxins, frustrations, and doubts.
Expose it all so you can give yourself the opportunity to feel
strong and be alive. Silence during restorative yoga can be
the catalyst to turn off outside voices and listen to our inner
voice.

Namaste’

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