Saturday, 20 January 2018

What is restorative yoga?

The first time I took a restorative yoga class I was in Montreal.  It took longer to get to the studio than I thought, so I ended up jogging there, arriving sweaty and out of breath, got there five minutes late, and wasn’t allowed to join the class.  The next day I returned in less haste and was treated to the most beautifully relaxing yoga class I had ever experienced.

It is a deeply comforting practise, that gives you such a feeling of wellbeing that the best way I can describe it is how you feel when you receive a hug from a loved one.

It also makes you slow down, really slow down, first because there is soft relaxing music on, and secondly because you are using bolsters and blankets to make yourself totally comfortable.  Because of these props, this class is accessible to anyone, even some one who has never done yoga, has an injury or is not feeling 100%, or does not want to take regular weekly yoga classes.

A one hour restorative yoga class could be only six postures – or even less.  But cradling the body with props and then holding each asana for 5 to10 minutes allows the body to deeply relax and your mind to go still.  This practice will help you reach a deep state of calmness, improve your capacity for healing and balancing, allow you to sleep better, balance the nervous system, boost the immune system, enhance your flexibility, and develop qualities of compassion and understanding toward others and self.

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