RESTORATIVE YOGA
What is restorative yoga?
A student who comes to a yoga class for the first time is most likely expecting something slow and stretchy. If they happen to come to an ashtanga or hatha yoga class, they may be in for a surprise. However, overall that would be the right expectation for a restorative yoga class.
Restorative yoga is a gentle practice. As in any other yoga tradition, restorative yoga aims at helping you achieve inner balance and explore what's hidden deep inside. You can experience how your mind quietens as your body enters the state of deep relaxation.
Props in restorative yoga
Restorative yoga is believed to have started with B.K.S Iyengar, a master yoga teacher. The style of yoga that he developed uses a lot of props (support tools) to help novice students find the right alignment while minimizing the risk of injury.
Some common yoga props in a restorative yoga class are blocks, bolsters, straps and cushions. If you are practicing at home, you can always repurpose common household items as yoga props. For example, you can use a thick, heavy book instead of a block. Your goal is to have your body fully supported because each asana will be held for much longer than in a flow class, sometimes for up to 20 minutes.
Is restorative yoga easy?
The biggest challenge of restorative practice is taming your mind. As your body is relaxing and feeling a deep, yet gentle stretch and opening, your mind may start to ramble. Don't get desperate and let go of any expectations. Just notice if this is happening. It takes time to train your body to attain the right alignment, but it takes even more time to learn how to tame your mind. Following your breath, trying visualization techniques and setting up a personal intention for the practice are great ways to quieten the mind.
