Props can support your restorative yoga practice and make it extra comfortable.
Get creative about where and when you practice restorative yoga, and let the intention of restoration guide you. While the poses suggested here use the support of props, one of the best things about yoga is that it can be done anywhere there is a safe ground to stand or sit. You can practice restorative yoga anywhere-such as home, a yoga studio, or the airport as you await your flight. Or you may like to practice as part of an evening wind-down routine, preparing yourself for a good night’s rest. You may like to practice after an aerobic exercise workout, stretching the muscles after exertion. You may like to practice first thing when you wake up to get your day started on a positive note, gently waking up the body and mind. Restorative yoga can be practiced morning, noon, or night. The best time to practice restorative yoga is anytime you have the space and time to practice. When and Where to Practice Restorative Yoga This intentionally calming environment is in stark contrast to the busyness of modern life and can provide a safe place of respite and refuge. In a restorative yoga class, you may find soothing music, relaxing pranayama practices, teachers offering optional hands-on adjustments or reiki with consent, heavy use of props, and perhaps mantra chanting. The intention of a restorative yoga class is to create the conditions for calm so as to allow students to drop into a state of deep relaxation and stillness. In the yin yoga practice, the intention is to stretch into deep layers of the body through long-held poses that put a small, deliberate amount of stress on the body. Although restorative yoga is sometimes conflated or confused with yin yoga, the practices differ. Poses may be held anywhere from two to 20 minutes. In a restorative yoga class, you will find mellow movements, long-held postures often supported with props such as blankets and blocks, and a general atmosphere of ease and calm. Restorative yoga falls under the umbrella of hatha yoga, an ancient form of yoga with origins in India, which is intended to stretch and strengthen the physical body in preparation for seated meditation. Restorative yoga, also called gentle yoga, is a style of yoga designed to relax, restore, and rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit.
Incorporating restorative yoga poses such as Child’s Pose, Legs Up the Wall, and gentle spinal twists into your regular exercise routine can aid in general relaxation, injury recovery, and slowing down the endless chatter of the mind. Gentle yoga poses that stretch the body and help to calm the nervous system are wonderful additions to any daily ritual. There are certain physical movements that are so beneficial to the body, mind, and spirit that they can be practiced daily or weekly.