Restorative Yoga Class

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.

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 Therapy: The Yapana Way to Self-Care and Well-Being by LeeAnn Carey

Restorative Yoga for Life: A Relaxing Way to De-stress, Re-energize, and Find Balance by Gail Boorstein Grossman

Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times by Judith Hanson Lasater

Assorted Restorative Yoga videos by Jules Mitchel on Udaya.com