Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga is one of my favorite practices, not only because I get to lay in comfortable positions with zero effort, but also because it is the perfect balance to my vinyasa practice. Yin and yang exist in all aspects of life. Restorative or Yin yoga are great necessary counters to rigorous vinyasa, ashtanga, or power practices.
Restorative yoga allows your body to do just that: restore. It encourages mindfulness, soothes the nervous system, deepens awareness, encourages introspection, and allows you to feel safe.
The poses are not about how deep you can go or how they should aesthetically appear, but rather they are opportunities for surrender and release. Moments where you can pause, appreciate, and restore. It offers a great space to let go of the grip to what we're holding on to: whether that is a conversation replaying in our minds, a tumultuous relationship, past stories we've identified with, a fear that prevents us from growing, or anything that is draining our energy. Restorative yoga is a terrific way to practice Brachmacharya: harnessing our energy to maximize our effectiveness.
Depending on your body, the type and amount of props you'll need will vary. The pose should feel like you are putting in minimal effort, if any, so place props accordingly. You'll land into stillness in each pose and remain there for up to ten minutes. As the time passes, your body will open up and turn on the Peace Response, knowing it is safe and supported. Go within, and enjoy.
Favorite Restorative Poses
Restorative yoga allows your body to do just that: restore. It encourages mindfulness, soothes the nervous system, deepens awareness, encourages introspection, and allows you to feel safe.
The poses are not about how deep you can go or how they should aesthetically appear, but rather they are opportunities for surrender and release. Moments where you can pause, appreciate, and restore. It offers a great space to let go of the grip to what we're holding on to: whether that is a conversation replaying in our minds, a tumultuous relationship, past stories we've identified with, a fear that prevents us from growing, or anything that is draining our energy. Restorative yoga is a terrific way to practice Brachmacharya: harnessing our energy to maximize our effectiveness.
Depending on your body, the type and amount of props you'll need will vary. The pose should feel like you are putting in minimal effort, if any, so place props accordingly. You'll land into stillness in each pose and remain there for up to ten minutes. As the time passes, your body will open up and turn on the Peace Response, knowing it is safe and supported. Go within, and enjoy.
Favorite Restorative Poses
- Supine bound angle: with 2 blocks and bolster
- Legs up the wall
- Option: sand bag on feet
- Option: sacrum on block
- Option: legs wide and bound with strap
- Sphynx: with bolster for chest and elbow support
- Supported pigeon: with block and bolster
- Child's Pose: with bolster
- Seated forward fold: with bolster
- Option: sand bag along spine
- Supported fish pose: with 2 bolsters
- Caterpillar: with bolster under knees and block on bolster for forehead
- Supine figure 4 pose against the wall
- Supported Twist with: bolster or sand bag (optional)
- Supported side-lying Warrior 1: blanket under head, bolster under rear leg
- Supine supported Tree: with strap (optional)
- Supine supported Chair: 2 bolsters
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