What is Restorative Yoga?

Restorative yoga is a gentle, calming practice that is designed to relax the body and mind. It involves a series of supported poses that are held for several minutes at a time, using props like blankets, blocks, and straps to assist with alignment and relaxation. Restorative yoga is a great way to de-stress, improve flexibility, and restore balance to the body and mind.

The Benefits of Restorative Yoga

One of the benefits of restorative yoga is that it can help to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become stressed and overwhelmed, which can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. Restorative yoga helps to counter this by allowing the body to fully relax and release tension, which can have a soothing effect on the mind.

In addition to its relaxing effects, restorative yoga is also a great way to improve flexibility. The long holds in restorative poses allow the muscles to fully stretch and lengthen, which can help improve overall flexibility and range of motion. This can be especially beneficial for those who are dealing with chronic tension or tightness in the body.

Another benefit of restorative yoga is that it can help restore balance to the body and mind. Many of us lead busy, hectic lives that can leave us feeling unbalanced and disconnected. Restorative yoga allows us to slow down and reconnect with our bodies and breath, which can help bring balance and clarity to the mind.

Overall, restorative yoga is a wonderful practice that can provide numerous benefits for the body and mind. If you're looking to relax, improve flexibility, and restore balance, consider giving restorative yoga a try.

Restorative Yoga Poses to Try at Home

Here are five restorative yoga poses that help reduce stress:

1. Child's pose – This pose involves kneeling on the ground and lowering your chest onto a bolster as you stretch your arms in front of you.

2. Supported bridge pose – This pose involves lying on your back with your feet flat on the ground and a block or bolster under your sacrum.

3. Supported fish pose – This pose involves lying on your back with a bolster along the length of your back. Add a blanket underneath the head for extra cushion.

4. Supported bound angle pose – This pose involves reclining back with a bolster under your back. Bring the soles of your feet together and let the knees open wide like the pages of a book. Scoop your tailbone towards your heels.

5. Supported corpse pose – This pose involves lying on your back with a blanket under your head and blocks or a bolster under your knees.

Hold each pose for five minutes or more. Remember to use props like blankets, blocks, and straps to assist with alignment and relaxation in these poses. It's important to let go of any expectations and simply allow yourself to relax and release tension as you hold these poses.

Explore additional ways to reduce stress by giving these restorative yoga classes a try: