Restorative Yoga – The great healer!
Restorative yoga provides healing for body and mind. It’s the perfect practice to rejuvenate tired limbs and a great antidote to a busy lifestyle.
It helps in the recovery from illness and is a great tool to deal with emotional difficulties, anxiety and depression which can be prevalent at this time of year.
By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, you take automatic control of the body which allows the regular nervous system to rest and the muscles to become more relaxed. A regular practice will make your body less vulnerable to stress-related illnesses and help you achieve optimum health.
Restorative yoga was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, who is acknowledged as one of the finest yoga masters in the world. He advised his students to make use of props to perfect poses as it is easier to maintain balance. While some restorative yoga poses are beneficial to the entire body, others target specific parts such as the lungs, kidneys or adrenals.
Before you start working on your restorative poses, do a warm-up first. A sun salutation is a great way to get going. Each restorative yoga pose is held for a few minutes. Some poses include:
- Legs against Wall – Performed with bolster under your legs, hips or back.This pose is known as the great rejuvinator pose. It neutralises the body so when your tired it helps to boost your energy and grounds your energy bringing you down to earth. This pose nourishes the nervous system and rejuvenates the circulatory system.
- Child’s Pose – Tuck your heels under your hips and cradle a bolster or pillow with your upper body. It’s used in class as a resting pose in between other poses. Perfect to release the shoulders, chest, hips and lower back. It lengthens and stretches the spine, calms the mind and alleviates stress and anxiety.
Join Sophia this Sunday for her Restorative Workshop, where you will experience a deeply relaxing, meditative practice and leave with some easy tips to relax and unwind at home.