Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is a gentle and therapeutic style of yoga that focuses on relaxation, rejuvenation, and deep rest. Unlike more active forms of yoga, such as vinyasa or power yoga, restorative yoga involves holding gentle, supported poses for extended periods. These poses are designed to help the body relax deeply, release tension, and promote healing.

Restorative yoga provides a path toward healing trauma through some of these key features:

Supportive Props: Restorative yoga poses typically use a variety of props, such as blankets, bolsters, pillows, and blocks, to support the body in comfortable and passive positions. The props help alleviate strain on the muscles and joints, allowing the body to relax more deeply.

Long Holds: Poses in restorative yoga are held for longer durations, often ranging from 5 to 20 minutes or more. This extended hold time allows the body to settle into the pose, release tension, and experience a profound sense of relaxation.

Focus on Breath: Restorative yoga emphasizes conscious breathing, encouraging slow, deep breaths to promote relaxation and activate the body's parasympathetic nervous system—the "rest and digest" mode. Mindful breathing helps calm the mind, reduce stress, and enhance the overall relaxation response.

Mindfulness and Meditation: Restorative yoga often incorporates elements of mindfulness and meditation, encouraging practitioners to cultivate present-moment awareness and inner stillness. This mindfulness practice can deepen relaxation, enhance self-awareness, and promote emotional well-being.

Stress Reduction: The gentle, nurturing nature of restorative yoga makes it an effective tool for reducing stress, anxiety, and tension in the body and mind. By creating a supportive environment for relaxation, restorative yoga helps calm the nervous system and promote a sense of peace and tranquility.

Healing and Rejuvenation: Restorative yoga is particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injury, illness, or chronic stress. The passive nature of the poses allows the body to rest and restore itself, supporting physical healing and renewal.

Overall, restorative yoga offers a gentle and accessible approach to yoga practice, making it suitable for practitioners of all levels and abilities. Clients of our healing programs benefit from restorative yoga at the end of their day as it provides a nurturing space for relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-care.