Restorative Yoga Class
Unwind | Rejuvenate | RenewWhat is Restorative Yoga?
- Slower paced
- Poses are fully supported and held longer
- Focuses on relaxation with minimal effort
Restorative yoga is one of my personal favorites and is ideal for anyone who experiences stress. (And yes, that includes everyone.)
The goal of each restorative yoga pose is to find the most comfort and relaxation, sometimes even eliciting an “ahhhh” response.
Practitioners will sometimes feel so relaxed they start to fall asleep, which is why I jokingly refer to Restorative Yoga as “sleep stretching.”
More about Restorative Yoga
In Restorative Yoga, poses are fully supported with blocks, bolsters and blankets, based on the practitioner’s experience within a pose. In other words, two people can achieve the same Restorative Yoga pose with completely different support. For example, lying on the floor in Savasana, or Corpse pose, one person may need a folded blanket underneath their head, whereas another may need a bolster underneath their knees. Using support allows the practitioner to relax into each pose and focus on their breath, body, mind and spirit.
By achieving the most relaxed and supported position within each pose, Restorative Yoga allows the nervous system to switch from the heightened and stressed “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system to the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system. Most practitioners will experience a deep calming effect after doing Restorative Yoga, and can either feel as if they are ready for sleep, or feel more energized as if they just woke up from a great nap.
Restorative Yoga poses are typically held longer, anywhere from a few minutes all the way up to a half hour. One hour Restorative Yoga classes at Yoga Mojo & Movement Therapy typically begin with a little gentle movement to get the wiggles out, and offer 3-5 longer held poses depending on the client’s needs that day. Couples, family members and friends also enjoy coming to Yoga Mojo & Movement Therapy to practice Restorative Yoga together.
Explore more information about Restorative Yoga in this post: De-stress, Relax and Heal with Restorative Yoga
What’s the difference between Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga?
Yin Yoga has become very popular in local yoga studios, and is often associated with Restorative Yoga. Both are slow, meditative and rejuvenating styles where poses are held for a longer period of time. There is, however, one critical difference between the two. Restorative Yoga supports joints and muscles with props such as blocks, bolsters and blankets, whereas Yin Yoga does not. Yin Yoga can be challenging for some and even uncomfortable because poses are unsupported, whereas Restorative Yoga is meant to feel good and relaxing. Practitioners value both practices for different reasons, and requires one to decide what is best for their own body and needs.
Restorative Yoga Resources
Breathe, move and live – better.
If you are interested in learning more about Restorative Yoga, please contact me to schedule your first session. I look forward to helping you manage stress, reduce anxiety, relax and enjoy during a private Restorative Yoga class designed just for you!
Other Yoga Styles & More
Moriah Diederich
Yoga Mojo & Movement Therapy
108 SE 124th Ave, Suite 18
Vancouver, WA 98684
Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm
By appointment only
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Yoga Mojo & Movement Therapy is conveniently located off I-205 and Mill Plain and serves all of the Clark County, Washington area including Vancouver, Washougal, Camas, Felida, Salmon Creek, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Hockinson and La Center.The second exit after the NB I-205 bridge, Yoga Mojo is also quick and easy to get to from Portland, Oregon.