What is Restorative Yoga?

Brenda Rock

“ Restorative Yoga is the use of props to support the body in positions of ease and comfort to facilitate relaxation and health”

- Judith Hanson Lasater, Phd, PT

What is Restorative Yoga?

Restorative yoga is a yoga practice that is both relaxing and rejuvenating for the body and the mind. It involves the use of props including bolsters or blankets, yoga blocks or belts; allowing the body into a position of comfort and ease, remaining in the pose for up to 20 minutes. Restorative yoga works deeply with the nervous system. In our society today most of us are in ‘fight or flight mode’, constantly using our sympathetic nervous system. This constant stress has serious effects on the body, mind and emotions resulting in everything from exhaustion to autoimmune diseases.

Restorative yoga allows us to work with our para-sympathetic nervous system, our ‘rest and digest’ side. It is a very suitable practice for beginners, anyone recovering from injuries and seasoned yogis alike.

The benefits of regular relaxation practice and restoring parasympathetic dominance include decreases in hypertension, improvements in sleep, immune and digestive function, decreased symptoms of chronic pain, decreased feelings of depression and anxiety, and benefits to our overall health. Isn’t this something we all could use more of?

What Restorative Yoga does -

Release and open muscles instead of stretching

Creates homeostasis and balance in the body energetically and physically

Creates calm in the mind and emotions

Supports in relaxation responce

Gives people permission to rest

Reduces adrenaline fatigue and over production of cortisol

Reduces stress

Why do Restorative Yoga -

Deeply Relaxing

Burn out

Injury

PTSD

Reduced activity

Age/Wisdom

Grief

Times of major life transition and events

Sickness

Fatigue

Recovery

Mental Health

Sleep Hygiene

Balancing body mind and spirit

A radical practice

Creatively stimulating

In her book, Relax and Renew, Judith Hanson Lassiter, Ph.D., P.T., tells us “Stress begins with a physiological response to what your body-mind perceives as life-threatening. For our ancestors, this many have been defending against the aggression of a hungry animal. For modern-day humans, this may be living the fear of losing a job in a sagging economy, or the health crisis of a family member.”

Why not join in a Restorative Yoga practice from the comfort of your own space once a month on a Friday?

Details here -

Brenda Rock

I share Restorative, Hatha, Chair/Desk Yoga and Yoga Nidra as well as being a Yoga Therapist and eternal seeker. I would like people to know that they can take back control of their bodies and stop pain, stress, anxiety. I offer yoga therapy to help alleviate the body pain and other issues but I also help people to take responsibility for their own bodies, by giving them the tools to do exactly that. These tools can be sought through the practice of Yoga postures, movement, breath-work and meditation.