Yoga can have enormous benefits for the mind and body. However, when life is fast we might find that our bodies and minds speed up to keep up. When our minds race, it can lead to feeling overwhelmed and drained. Overstimulated people may also be drawn to high-intensity exercise or a vigorous yoga practice. The result is that our nervous systems take a beating.
Even if we only practice Restorative Yoga once a week, it can help us balance our hectic lives and heal stress-related emotional and physical issues. Restorative yoga uses props such as bolsters, blankets, and blocks to support the body during poses. We can stay there for as long at 10 minutes each pose. Restorative yoga does not require any muscular effort. This is why it can be a good option for those who are recovering from injuries or chronically ill.
Benefits of restorative yoga
Restorative yoga doesn’t require us to contract our muscles. Although we believe that we must ‘work’ in order to increase our flexibility we can actually achieve more opening by relaxing and softening than by forcing ourselves through a dynamic, strong asana practice.
The difference lies in the way you approach it. The key difference is the approach. This activates the parasympathetic nervous systems (responsible rest/digest process), which helps to combat the feeling of “overdrive” that we often feel.
Our bodies and minds can become more flexible, which allows us to connect with our natural compassion and understanding for others.
Restorative yoga benefits
Relaxes deeply the body
A busy mind is still a busy mind
Reduces muscle tension and improves mobility and flexibility
Increases healing and balancing capacity
Balances the nervous systems
Immune system booster
Learn compassion and understanding towards self and others.
Do you recall feeling relaxed? Your body felt soft, warm, and supple?
Do you remember feeling so relaxed in your skin, you didn’t even notice it?
What about the relaxed feeling of looking at everything from a distance and smiling, knowing that everything is fine, just as it is? This state allows you to know that everything is as it is, and that there is no way to reject or accept anything.
Do you remember what it was like to be in your true nature when you rest? It is to know that you aren’t separate from life in the same way as the air around it or the waves separate from the ocean.
Yoga is about experiencing union. To be able to see beyond the illusion that you are a separate entity. To realize that all of us are made up of the same energy which is the basis of all being.
Restorative yoga for me is a great way to access deep relaxation. It also helps you understand that sometimes nothing (resting now) can be one the most powerful, supportive, and healing practices.
