I’ve got GREAT NEWS for you.
There’s a type of relaxin’ and chillaxin’ that is actually really good for you
on a lot of levels …
It’s called RESTORATIVE YOGA
It’s a gentle and relaxing form of yoga that focuses on calming your mind and body through a series of comfy poses supported by pillows.
This style of yoga feels peacefully delicious. ;-)
AND there are a plethora of benefits which I’m sure you will love …
So, in this blog, we'll explore the benefits of RESTORATIVE YOGA,
who can benefit from it, and some of the best Restorative Yoga positions.
Some of the Benefits of RESTORATIVE YOGA:
You'll Balance your Nervous System,
by guiding your body to shift into your parasympathetic Nervous System, which is your Rest & Digest and Healing side of your nervous system.
It’s extremely important to spend time in this part of your nervous system. So this creates great balance in your nervous system. Most importantly, this is what creates the right environment in the body for the next 5 benefits.
You’ll Melt Away Stress and Tension in your Body
by coming to a place where your muscles become totally relaxed. Instead of dynamically moving your body into a stretch, we’re relaxing and letting go into the stretch. Pillows and props cushion your body creating a really comfy space to let go fully.
You’ll Relax your Mind
Restorative Yoga helps to calm your mind with very slow deep breath work, conscious relaxation (one body part at a time) combined with the awareness of slowing down & relaxing your state of being.
You’ll Improve your Ability to be a Champion Sleeper!!!
Especially when you practice Restorative before you lay down to blow zzzzzzzz’s. It’s way better that taking a sleeping pill - no side effects - except that you wake up restored, not groggy like a tylenol pm might make you feel. Restorative Yoga can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.
You'll Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Restorative Yoga can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by putting you in a more calm state, quieting the monkey mind and carrying you into a place of peace and relaxation. Here on ELEV8 we also tap into the energy and coherence of the Heart to lift you out of depressions and elevate your state.
You'll Boost Your Immune System
You guessed it, this magical way to chillax’ puts you in your healing side of your nervous system so you can literally reduce the symptoms of being sick or even prevent getting sick altogether. This is powerful stuff guys!
So any time you feel like you may be coming down with something … do some restorative yoga.
I’ve helped many people prevent getting sick or get better much quicker with Restorative Yoga. It’s pretty magical! Also, the simple act of reducing your stress and getting more relaxed can help to boost your immune system.
You’ll Increase your Flexibility
This is a much different way of stretching your muscles because it relies on your muscles letting go when you completely relax your mind and body. It’s a much longer stretch where you’re gradually becoming more and more relaxed. It usually takes about 5 minutes for the muscles, connective tissue and mind to let go, so these positions are enjoyed for about 5 minutes each. The supported positions used in Restorative gently stretch, open and lengthen the muscles, creating more space in your body, increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Who Needs Restorative Yoga?
Restorative Yoga is beneficial for anyone who wants to become more relaxed, peaceful and centered.
Raise your hand if that’s you! lol
It’s especially useful for people who have a lot of stress in their lives.
If you have tension in your body, you probably have stress - so yes - it would work quite well for you too.
Those of you that are not getting good quality sleep at night …
do restorative as part of your evening ritual and you’ll be waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed with lots of energy because of the beautiful solid night sleeps you’re getting.
One caveat, if you have other habits that keep you awake, like an afternoon coffee buzz or a fun energizing evening dance class … you may need to add some additional sleep tools to get that solid deep sleep. ;-)
Additionally Restorative yoga helps those of you experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic pain or illness.
Here’s a few common Restorative Yoga Positions:
Supported Child's Pose
This pose helps to calm the mind and gently stretch the hips and lower back. To do this pose, start on your hands and knees, then sit back on your heels with a bolster or pillow under your chest. Rest your body onto the bolster or pillow and relax for about 5 minutes getting deeper into the pose and into a state of relaxation with each and every breath.
Spinal Twist
AKA Jathara Parivartanasana in sanskrit. This pose is so good for your entire back, shoulders and hips. It stretches your back, re-aligns and lengthens your spine and hydrates your spinal disks. If you’ve ever heard and believe the saying, you’re only as old as your spine, you understand why this is so important. And the cool thing is - it’s easy.
Lie on your back with your feet right next to your glutes, shift your hips to one side a couple of inches and drop your knees to the other side. If your shoulder or your knees are not resting on the ground - support them with pillows. Do each side for 5 min, resting in the center in between sides in apanasana.
Supported Bridge Pose
This pose helps to open the chest and stretch the front of the body, including the hip flexors. To do this pose, lie on your back with a bolster or pillow under your hips, lifting your hips up towards the ceiling. You can stay in that position or to increase the stretch in the hip flexor, you can straighten one leg at a time. Remain in the position for 5 minutes or you may do 3 minutes on each side if you lengthen one leg at a time.
Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose
This pose helps to reduce swelling in the legs and feet, and promotes relaxation. It’s also great to move the energy with gravity towards your face, neck and shoulders. We spend enough time with our head at the top and our feet at the bottom. Give yourself time to Go upside down to reverse it. To do this pose, lie on your back with your legs up against a wall, and a bolster or pillow under your low back and top of glutes
Reclining Open Heart Pose
In this pose your heart is open to the sky with your chest lifted and your arms relaxed at your side. Feel the stretch in your chest, rib cage and front of your shoulders. As you breathe in really let your rib cage expand with your breath.
Think about creating lots of space around your heart.
Incidentally, this pose is actually really great for your posture, because many people are tight in the chest and anterior delts, which can pull the shoulders forward and create that hunched over posture.
This pose can be done with legs out straight or in a butterfly position (Baddha konasana). To do this pose, lie on your back with a bolster or pillow under your upper back. For the straight leg pose, just extend your legs out straight, with your butt right next to the bolster.
For the butterfly pose, bring the soles of your feet together, letting your knees fall open to the sides. You can support under your knees/quads with a pillow if that feels more comfortable.
Remember, comfort is key to relaxing completely.
In conclusion,
Restorative Yoga is a gentle and relaxing form of yoga that has many benefits for your mind and body. It’s an awesome way to reduce stress and tension, improve sleep, heal your body and promote overall relaxation.
By practicing some of the restorative yoga poses mentioned above,
you can start to experience the wonderful benefits of this peaceful practice.
There are different Restorative Yoga Practices on ELEV8 Workouts that members can enjoy anytime anywhere.
Check out this practice right now to sink into your peaceful place and start rebalancing and healing your body ;-)
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