What is Restorative Yoga?

Do you crave Savasana at the end of a yoga class? And do you always find its too short? Or did you even stop going to yoga classes because you feel not 'up to it', too tired, exhausted, or low? Maybe Restorative Yoga could help.

I recently finished my Restorative Yoga Teacher Training and am really exited to share this special type of yoga with you. The main goal of Restorative Yoga is to provide a framework for deep rest, healing, and balancing. The creator of Restorative Yoga, Judith Lasater emphasises that "taking time out each day to relax and renew is essential to living well.". Too often, we think we have to earn rest or that we are self-indulgent when we take time out. Living in a culture that values busyness, we might be forgiven to conclude that resting is unproductive and not worth a lot. Yet rest, as well as sleep, nutrition, exercise, and connection with others constitutes an essential pillar of staying healthy. Resting regularly can help us replenish our energies, stay mentally fit, and emotionally balanced.

How is Restorative Yoga Different?

Restorative Yoga poses relieve the effects of chronic stress by providing a safe and supportive environment for total relaxation. When you practice Restorative Yoga, you stay in poses for 5, 10, 20 minutes. Your body is completely supported with the help of bolsters, blankets and blocks. You may like to use an eye mask too to relax the eyes or cover yourself with a blanket for extra warming comfort. Typically there is no music, and your yoga teacher will speak very little so that you really have the opportunity to withdraw from external stimulation and overwhelm. In yoga terms, you practice pratyahara - withdrawal from external input and focus on internal experience. This process can counter-balance the effects of stress on the body and mind, especially the nervous system, and lead you back to a more grounded, relaxed way of being in the world. Although the effects of Restorative Yoga can be therapeutic, they are not a therapy session, no personal details need to be discussed or disclosed. If you are in need of therapeutic or medical support, please liaise with your doctor.

Who Benefits from Restorative Yoga

The short answer is everybody! However, you may find Restorative Yoga particularly beneficial if you

• Are going through a period of high stress.

• Suffer from burnout

• Feel constantly tired and exhausted

• Are recently bereaved

• Recover from illness or injury

• Are someone who is constantly on the go

• Exclusively practice high-energy styles of yoga

• Find it hard to relax

• Want to try out a new style of yoga.

  
  

I will shortly be offering a free Restorative Yoga session, link will follow. In the meantime, feel free to contact me @ irene@yogavita.co.uk to enquire about 1-2-1 private Restorative classes, in-person or online.

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“I just want to bloom - in peace - and instead of doing - the most for once - I simply want - to do the least. ” (seen on IG)