Restorative Yoga: Yoga to Reset Your Mind and Body

If you are feeling tired, emotionally drained, and physically worn out, maybe it is time to reset your mind and body. The first step to obtaining better mental and physical health without engaging in fast-paced exercises like jogging or aerobics could be restorative yoga. This type of yoga is for anyone - the very experienced yogis can find results, while it’s also mild enough for pregnant women and the elderly. Soft music and dimmed lights are just the beginning of an easy, stress-relieving yoga. It only takes an hour out of your week to become more refreshed and energetic. Getting in tune with your inner-self is easy and only requires holding yoga stretching poses. 

What is Restorative Yoga?

Restorative yoga asanas (poses) can be held from anywhere between 5 to 15-minutes and impose a lesser impact on the body and muscles than other faster-paced types of yoga. Holding poses for 5-minutes allows muscles to generate less heat and become more relaxed. Props help rest the body in each comfortable position, and soft music helps further the relaxing, meditative experience. For the full experience, we recommend lighting some incense or a candle, too.

The Benefits of Restorative Yoga

The hustle and bustle of life can negatively affect the body’s otherwise balanced parasympathetic nervous system. Can it be rebalanced? Absolutely! This type of yoga effectively repairs balance, improves sleep, and promotes overall healing. You will find that stretching poses help strengthen muscles and improve their mobility and flexibility. If your body is recovering from an injury or illness, try restorative yoga to regain strength. Maybe you are suffering from emotional stress because of a significant event or change in your life - restorative yoga helps calm and soothe.

Using Props

Restorative yoga relies heavily on using soft bricks, towels, and straps. Props make holding poses for prolonged periods more comfortable and manageable. If you are new to restorative yoga, the instructor will explain the use of props before the class begins. Before starting your first class, you should ask which props are available and what you should bring from home. If you plan on returning, then you can invest in your own supplies.


Restorative Yoga Poses

Here are a few of the most popular restorative poses with a description of each.

  • Child’s Pose: While sitting on your knees, outstretch your arms and lie flat on the yoga mat. Place pillows or blankets under the body. The child’s pose is the most popular asana.
  • Seated Cat-Cow: Sitting with legs crossed and hands on knees, bring your back forward in an arching position, hold, and return to a backbend arching position.
  • Supported Bridge Pose: While lying on a yoga mat, place a soft brick under hips, bend knees, and stretch both arms out to the side.

Why not set aside an hour or two from your week and use it to reduce stress and tension? You do not have to worry about engaging in fast one pose to another yoga workout. The workweek is already fast-paced, so try restorative yoga to slow down and focus on your body and mind. Low-impact yoga gently stretches muscles and temporarily turns off the noise from a hectic life. Grab your yoga mat and bring a friend!

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published