RESTORATIVE YOGA

A student who comes to a yoga class for the first time is most likely expecting something slow and stretchy. If they found themselves in 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 to achieve inner balance and to explore what’s hidden deep inside. You can experience how mind can be quietened through deep relaxation of body. 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 used in a restorative yoga class are blocks, bolsters, straps and cushions. If you are practicing at home, you can always repurpose some common household items to be used as yoga props. For example, a heavier, thicker book can be used instead of a block. Your goal is to have your body fully supported as each asana will be held for much longer than in a flow class, sometimes up to 20 minutes. The biggest challenge of restorative practice is taming your mind. As your body is relaxing and feeling deep, yet gentle stretching 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 one’s body to attain the right alignment, but it takes even more time to learn how to tame your mind. Focus on your breath, visualization techniques and a personal intention for the practice can all be used to help quieten the mind.

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