Release, relax, and rejuvenate your body and mind with Restorative Yoga…

If you’re new to restorative yoga, you’re in for a treat! In today’s fast-paced and stressful modern world, restorative yoga is becoming more and more popular. Designed to help relieve fatigue, release stress, and give you some much-needed TLC, Restorative Yoga may help you sleep better, relax more fully, and support your body’s natural healing potential.

Unlike many other forms of yoga, this type of yoga is not designed as a “workout,” nor is it focused on increasing flexibility, strength, or stamina. Instead, as this article explains, “It’s a practice of relaxation that will create the feeling of being full again.” (This is why many people particularly love this type of yoga in the winter.)

Restorative yoga often uses props such as blocks, bolsters, straps, blankets, or chairs to support your body and help you fully relax, and it’s a great practice to do before bed to prepare for restful sleep.

Here’s a bit more info about this unique form of yoga:

Because the focus is on recovery and stillness, each pose is held for 5-20 minutes. These long holds have a deep impact on our system, so it’s important to take extra time when exiting each pose and pause for a moment to observe. You’ll also need plenty of time to set up your props, because the work is so subtle on the body that it’s important to be precise. With this slow and deliberate pace, in an entire Restorative Yoga class, you may only practice 4-6 poses.

Because it’s so specific and so still, you might consider taking 5-15 minutes to do a bit of walking or stretching before settling into your practice. If you haven’t exercised in a while, you might get fidgety. It also helps to have some extra blankets around you, since your body temperature naturally drops as you relax. You want to set yourself up for a win, so do a bit of a warm-up, find a quiet space that is warm and cozy, then let go of all effort and simply rest.

If you are used to practicing active Hatha Yoga in the form of Vinyasa or Hot Yoga, you may find this type of stillness extremely challenging. But even if you feel full of energy with no need to restore, you should consider doing this practice from time to time so you can bring yourself into balance when needed.

Read More at YogaGlo.com…