It seems as though we’re always on the go – trying to fit as much as we can into our waking hours, GO GO GO! I’m guilty of it, today I ran for an hour, went to work, came home, taught a yoga class and now I sit down to share my blog. Most of you probably had a similar day , maybe not doing the same things, but your things, the things that keep you busy everyday. We’re also living in a world of instant gratification – when do want it? NOW! When do we get to decompress, rest, renew, restore? Our bodies and minds need time to shake off the day, the stress, the responsibilities – restorative yoga gives a chance to do all of those things. Restorative yoga is a wonderful gift we can give ourselves.
Restorative yoga is a form of yoga that helps us achieve physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Modern restorative yoga is derived from a form of yoga created by B.K.S. Iyengar, who is regarded as one of the greatest. yoga masters in the world. Iyengar instructed students to use props to perfect their poses (known as Iyengar Yoga), this has served as a foundation for restorative yoga.
Restorative yoga promotes healing of the body and the mind. It is especially useful in eliminating stress and fatigue from day to day activities, it can also be used to recover from illness or injury as well as overcoming depression and anxiety. This form of yoga can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, thus the nervous system is at rest and muscles are more relaxed. Consistent practice of restorative yoga can also help avoid stress-related illnesses.
Restorative poses are similar to “normal” yoga poses, but props are used for support. A warm up is used to warm the muscles and bring the heart rate up slightly, then poses are held for 5-10 minutes each, giving the body time to really accept the pose.
This a wonderful way to hit your reset button. Try some of the poses below on your own. Find a quiet place, resolve yourself to holding each pose for 2-5 minutes to start. Keep your breath slow and deep, try to clear your mind and focus on the sound of your breath. It is normal for the mind to wander, just acknowledge the thought and then turn your focus back to your breath. Enjoy!
