Restorative Yoga

In a restorative yoga class we use lots of props and we usually hold postures with and for support. Many of the postures are done on the floor, but not all. For example, you could do a standing forward fold and support the head with props or sometimes the use of a chair. These postures are still considered restorative yoga.

In restorative yoga we’re using postures that are designed to restore the body and mind in a very gentle way. During restorative yoga, we’re not really stretching, like we do in a Yin yoga class. Instead we’re wanting to soften and receive the pose and it’s simple and gentle benefits over time. This makes it different than yin yoga. In yin yoga we’re aiming to target the tissues and create some sensation with less support.

Restorative yoga is a practice of relaxing and receiving. The deliberate stillness once you’re in a restorative pose affects energetic and physical healing by calming the nervous system. Many restorative poses also gently activate and soothe the internal organs and the spine. There are many ways we can make our yoga practice restorative. At times we can focus on moving blood and lymph into a particular area by squeezing and then decompressing the tissue. At other times, our focus might be more on rest and calming the nervous system. We could do this by supporting the head. When we support the head we help to restore the brain and we counteract the effects of mental stress. Another focus could be on supporting and moving the spine in various ways to create healing.