Restorative Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice that promotes wellness, balance, and peace. People of all body types and ability levels can reap the many benefits that yoga has to offer, and restorative yoga is especially helpful in promoting deep relaxation. Let’s look at this particular type of yoga and how it can promote wellness in your life.

What Is Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is very different from most other styles of yoga, providing a unique experience. So, what is restorative yoga? Simply put, it’s a restful practice that focuses on slowing down and opening your body through a series of passive stretches. Anyone can participate and benefit from this practice, no matter your ability level, and a qualified instructor will guide you through the entire class.

Restorative yoga encourages you to focus on your breath as you hold a yoga position with help from props like blocks, blankets, and bolsters. As your body enters a state of deep relaxation, your mind can also relax, allowing tension to be released.

Benefits of Restorative Yoga

There are a number of physical and mental health benefits that have been associated with yoga. Some of these benefits include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
• Improved sleep hygiene
• Increased relaxation
• Better mood
• Reduced pain
• Improved strength and stability
• Improved cardiovascular function
• Relief from chronic pain

Restorative yoga touts all of these benefits as well, leaving you feeling open and refreshed at the end of the session.

Restorative Yoga Poses

A variety of passive restorative yoga poses offer benefits like increased flexibility, deep relaxation, and decreased levels of stress and anxiety. During a restorative yoga class, your instructor will guide you through a few of the following poses.

Child’s Pose

In child’s pose, you begin in tabletop position. Simply sink your hips back towards your heels and relax your chest until it sinks into your thighs. Your arms should be stretched out above your head. This helps release tension along your spine and provides a deep stretch throughout your arms and back.

Corpse Pose

This deeply relaxing pose requires a couple of towels to provide the right form. To do corpse pose, lay on your back with your feet a little wider than hip-width, hands to either side, palms facing upwards. Towels can be placed under your knees for comfort. Your instructor may allow you to relax in this position for 15 minutes, and it’s okay if you fall asleep.

Fish Pose

Fish pose helps relieve tension in your neck, throat, and shoulders and stretches the front of your neck and abdomen. To do a fish pose:

1. Lay on your back, arms resting alongside your body, and legs extended.
2. Lift your chest so your upper back arches as your shoulder blades and upper torso are lifted off the floor.
3. Tilt your head back and allow the crown of your head to rest on the floor.

Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose

In this position, you’ll lay on your back with your legs extended upward against a wall. This allows for deep stretching in the hamstrings and neck, and it’s a great pose for people who spend a lot of time sitting during the day.

What to Expect in Restorative Yoga Class

You can expect your instructor to describe each pose at the beginning of class and explain which props you’ll need. Then, they’ll play soft music and dim the lights to help participants relax during the session. Once you’re set up with your props and have settled into a pose, you can expect to remain in that position for a period of time. Focus on your breathing and relax your body into position. You may even fall asleep — and that’s okay! That merely means you’ve entered a state of deep relaxation.

When the session is over, you should feel open and refreshed. Some people may feel a little sore the next day, especially if their bodies aren’t used to the yoga poses they performed.

Restorative Yoga Classes in Queen Creek, AZ

Restorative yoga is highly beneficial for your physical, spiritual, and mental health, and after a session, you’ll feel rested, open and relaxed. We welcome everyone to try restorative yoga here at ZenLife Center for Healing, no matter your ability or experience level. We offer yoga classes for all levels, and our Registered Yoga Teachers are happy to help you feel comfortable and informed as you continue your unique yoga journey. To learn more about restorative yoga and the classes we offer, contact us today.