Restorative Yoga
A few years ago whilst in the States I came across a new kind of yoga that was not really seen much at the time in the UK. I fell in love with the slow postures and the essential oils that teacher put on my forehead during relaxation, the type of yoga was called “Yin”.
A few years on and Yin started to be practiced in the UK, I liked the slow holding of postures as a contrast to the faster paced practices I was used to. Moving on again I went to a Restorative Yoga class and experienced something completely different. The postures were held for a while, but the difference between restorative and Yin was in the ease I felt whilst in the pose. Props were used to support my body shape and take away any striving, even in Yin I often felt a sense of ‘holding’ or ‘striving’ and not always comfort. In Restorative Yoga I felt ‘held, supported and nourished’ by the practice. I like to do my research (as you may have noticed!) and found that Yin is working on Nadis, or Meridians in Chinese Medicine. So to some extent this was a practice that ‘activated’ certain organs in the body and energy (prana). Restorative Yoga is different in that it works on the Nervous system, when we feel stressed we turn on the ‘fight or flight’ response of the sympathetic nervous system (which these days most of us hang out in). I am sure you all know the effects of stress on our health by now, Restorative Yoga sends signals to the nervous system to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) and helps to rebalance our system to feel restored to balance.
I hope this gives you a flavour of the benefits of restorative yoga from my personal experience, this is why I love to share this practice with you. I also practice Hatha yoga and sometimes Ashtanga and Yin as we need to balance our practices with some Yin (feminine) energy and Yang (masculine).
If you have any questions, send me a message.
Restorative legs up the wall
This can be practiced with a bolster (as shown), or with your legs up the wall, or up on a chair.
One of my favourite restorative practices and one I often do in the afternoon during the energy slump time.
Benefits
Promotes relaxation (PNS)
Increases circulation of fresh blood and lymph
Soothes swollen, cramped legs and feet
Can relieve lower back pain
Sanskrit “Viparita” reversed “Karani” in action
Slows breathing, communicates safety to Vagus Nerve.
Practice for 15 minutes
Restorative supine twist.
Using a bolster/pillow/blanket to support your upper body, sit side on to the prop so your hip is touching the support. Lower yourself onto the support, hands either side. You may want to use a blanket under your head for extra support. You face the same way as your bent knees and rest down.
Benefits
stretches lower back muscles, releasing tension
stimulates digestion
helps to cleanse abdominal organs by stimulating lymphatic flow
improves muscular tone of back body
Calms nervous system
Practice 10 mins each side
Restorative Goddess
Use props to support the elevation of the back and also under the knees. Bolsters, pillows, cushions and blankets can all be used.
Benefits
Opens the chest to allow easy breathing.
Allows space for the abdomen to support digestion and breathing
Opens the hips and groin to enable blood and energy flow to urinary tract and reproductive organs.
Activates the parasympathetic nervous system to support digestion and relaxation.
Practice 15 mins
