In this day and age, most of us have grown unaccustomed to tranquility and have trouble being still. This is particularly true if you were born after 1980, since you would have spent more of your formative years exposed to the Internet.
Many of us have become so busy that we barely talk on the phone anymore. We are in constant multi-task mode—eating lunch while scrolling through our phones, listening to podcasts while taking a shower, or texting while walking across the street.
Things have become so fast-paced that we may actually confuse busyness with meaning!
In contrast to our current information age, humans dwelled for centuries in quietude, sowing the fields, walking through the forests, working with their hands. In fact, in many rural areas of the world, this slower pace of life is still quite common.
The aim of Restorative yoga is to cultivate the silence and stillness we’ve been missing and to make choices in our life that bring us greater ease. In fact, much of the work of Restorative yoga is less about trying to find ease and more about putting an end to the habits that hinder ease in our lives.
Restorative yoga is largely based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and was innovated upon and popularized internationally over the past three decades by his disciple Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD.
Judith defines Restorative yoga as “the use of props to support the body in positions of ease and comfort to facilitate relaxation and health.”
I’ve been fortunate to study with Judith over the years and glean the healing benefits of her teaching. Restorative yoga has been a huge support to my immune system, sleep, skin, overall stress levels, and yes, my asana practice! It has also been a total blessing to share this knowledge with my students and witness how their lives have been enhanced by rest.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT RESTORATIVE YOGA
Restorative yoga is often characterized as a complement to an active asana practice or mistaken as Yin yoga. Although complementary to an active lifestyle, Restorative yoga is a practice in its own right and is suitable for people of any age, at any level of yoga, and in all states of health.
Misconception: Restorative yoga is the same as Yin Yoga.
Truth: Yin Yoga focuses on gently stretching connective tissues, while Restorative yoga uses props to open the body.
Misconception: Restorative yoga is stretching.
Truth: Although the body benefits from a gentle lengthening in restorative postures, Restorative yoga is about opening the body.
Misconception: Restorative yoga is a chance to catch up on sleep.
Truth: Restorative yoga focuses on the rest and relaxation of the body, which is a different physiological state than sleep.
Misconception: Restorative Yoga is the same as Therapeutic Yoga.
Truth: Restorative yoga can be very therapeutic, however it is more oriented around rest and relaxation than specifically healing injury
Misconception: Restorative yoga is for people who can’t do yoga.
Truth: Restorative yoga is for everybody.
Now you can study Restorative yoga with me on GLO in my latest program! It's called The Ultimate Restorative and offers a full immersion into the deep relaxation that’s possible with the right combination of props.
I'm sharing the key principles of Restorative yoga plus the precise positioning that will give your body the ultimate support. The best part? You’ll get a rare opportunity to rest during your waking hours, elevating your mood and mitigating the effects of stress on your mind, body, and spirit.
WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR
Advanced yogis or teachers looking for fundamental poses and set ups of restorative poses
Anyone looking for the ultimate relaxation and replenishment!
Anyone who loves the use of props and wants to know how to add more of them to their practice
Anyone who is in need of support or stability during a stressful time of their life
Teachers looking to add more restorative to their repertoire
Grab your props and I’ll see you on the mat!