So, yes, I'm a little biased. As a yoga and wellness teacher, a constant student and someone regularly working towards utilizing all of the tools in my toolbox, what is the number one tool I've found in the last year? Restorative yoga.
Maybe you've never done yoga...or maybe you're new to it? Almost anyone can do Restorative but why should you? And why do you care? The simplest answer is to decrease stress and restore your frayed nerves. As women and caregivers, every day we are all running, going, doing and supporting others, living in this high-level of 'fight or flight'...but when do we take time for ourselves? You can do it for five minutes or 30 and it's as simple as putting your legs up on your couch. I'm going to highlight some reasons why you need restorative in your life below, so read through it when you have time or just get yourself into the position below for at least five minutes a day for seven days and see how you feel.
What is Restorative Yoga?
The goal of self-care with restorative yoga is to allow you to deeply relax your body in longer held yoga poses supported by props, like blocks, blankets and bolsters. By staying in these poses for a longer period of time with the aid of props and without strain or pain, we can achieve physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Restorative yoga classes are typically very relaxing and slow paced, allowing for slow transition from one pose to the next. The teacher may often demonstrate how the props are setup, then adjust them to provide deeper relaxation where you'll typically stay in a pose from 5-20 minutes depending on the class.
WHY is RESTORATIVE YOGA THE BEST???
It can have an amazing impact on the nervous system, causing extreme relaxation and tension release.
Gentle & Supported Postures: These techniques stimulate the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), which helps counteract the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response.
Reduction of Stress Hormones: When the PNS is activated, the body releases fewer stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This can lead to a decrease in overall stress levels and a sense of tranquility.
Lowered Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Restorative yoga encourages slow, deep breathing and relaxation, which can help lower heart rate and blood pressure. By promoting cardiovascular health, restorative yoga contributes to overall well-being and reduces the risk of stress-related health issues.
Enhanced Digestion & Immune Function: The relaxation response induced by restorative yoga supports optimal digestion and boosts immune function. When the body is in a state of relaxation, it can more efficiently absorb nutrients from food and allocate resources to the immune system for defense against illness and infection.
Improved Sleep Quality: Restorative yoga practices can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle and promote better sleep quality. By activating the PNS and inducing a state of relaxation, restorative yoga prepares the body for restorative sleep, leading to improved sleep duration and quality.
Want to try restorative yoga at home, check out a few poses from Calm.com.
Join me for an upcoming event or drop-in for one of my regular Monday group classes, where you can experience Restorative Yoga postures.