Restorative is the application of yoga practice using props and postures held for longer periods of time to initiate deep relaxation of the body, mind and spirit. Slow, restorative yoga is beneficial to balance a more active practice or to just decompress after a stressful day.
Need to calm your energy? This week we’re featuring deep, quieting, and nurturing restorative classes that are designed to rest your body and soothe your mind.
- A Liquid State of Being with Giselle Mari: Yogic sleep is a very effective form of practice that provides deep relaxation, develops our witnessing skills, revitalizes our entire being and potentially helps unravel long standing habits. The aim is to transition from the awake state (Jagrat) and dream state (Swapna) to finally residing in the deep sleep state (Sushupti) while remaining conscious. This is a great practice to put on daily repeat. Props Suggested: Blankets and a bolster.
- Deep Release for Flexibility & Grace with Taylor Harkness: To cultivate fluidity and grace, flexibility and a liberated range of motion are essential. Lengthen and release the often tight and bound up places within your body with longer, yin-style holds. The sequence works to decompress and bring space into your hips, shoulders and spine. Savasanas are sprinkled throughout and you will leave your mat feeling open and relaxed. Props Needed: A bolster, one or two blocks and a strap.
- Unwind & Restore with Tara Judelle: A Restorative practice good for unwinding from travel, a long day, or stress. Includes many cues to tap into the organ and endocrine system in order to enhance the restoration process. Props Needed: A bolster, two blankets, two blocks, a strap and wall space.
- Calm Your Nervous System for Sound Sleep with Felicia Tomasko: Get ready for a sound sleep with this Ayurvedically-themed practice that focuses on calming the nervous system and reducing the vata dosha that may be in excess or out of balance. We use circular motions of the joints, including the shoulders, chest and hips to release pent-up tension in the joints before a supported forward fold, bridge moving the breath and ending with legs up the wall to calm the nervous system.
- 5 Minutes to Maui with Jason Crandell: Press play if you want to do one pose for five minutes and experience an instant vacation. This simple, deeply relaxing version of savasana will relax your lower back, open your chest and restore your legs. A chair and 2 or 3 blankets will really make this class feel like a sweet mini vacation. Props Needed: A chair and two blankets.
- Restorative Backbends with Annie Carpenter: Super tired and feeling tight? This yummy practice will open your entire front body: shoulders, chest and hips with almost no effort. Grab all your props and relax into a sweet opening. Props Needed: Two blankets, a block and a strap.
