Restorative Yoga

“How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterwards.” – Spanish Proverb

allwoman Restorative Yoga classes offer you much needed time and space to relax and rest, restoring vitality to both body and mind.

In today’s world, we are subjected to artificial lights, digital overload and timetables that do not take into account seasonal change or monthly cycles. This impacts on the body’s natural biorhythms and results in massive sleep debt and depletion of energy.

When we can take the time to rest deeply we activate the ‘rest and digest’ response within the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This allows us to unwind tension, restoring our energy and balancing our emotional, physical and mental equilibrium.

Restorative Yoga means less doing and more being

A sequence of carefully selected Restorative Yoga poses combined with the use of props (blankets, blocks and bolsters) provides a completely supportive environment in which to surrender into poses without strain. As we hold the postures we focus on deep breathing to allow the body and mind to simply let go. The more we practice the art of relaxation the more we can embody it, learning the art of deep, complete rest.

Benefits of Restorative Yoga

• Reduces aches and pains
• Reduces stress and stress-related ailments
• Reduces feelings of anxiety
• Develop a sense of inner balance
• Calms the nervous system
• Reduces blood pressure
• Improves fertility
• Improves digestion and elimination processes
• Improves sleep-related problems like insomnia
• Helps recovery from injury or illness
• Therapeutic benefits for your organs
• Helpful during times of transition or when hormones and sleep patterns are erratic, like during pregnancy or during menopause
• Helpful in balancing energy levels especially for those experiencing fatigue, depression, low energy or sluggishness

Please note that although restorative postures look simple to do and are peaceful to observe, it can take time to get familiar with “being” rather than active “doing”. People new to relaxing in this way can find it challenging initially, but through the deepening connection, you experience within this practice of love, patience and gentleness the stillness of mind will develop.