Is Restorative Yoga Just A Big Snooze?

Most of us think of restorative yoga as a yummy, relaxing practice—a respite when we’re tired, injured, or simply want to chill out.

Whilst all this is true, restorative yoga is also an advanced practice that requires much dedication, patience, skill, courage, and compassion. It can be a deeply transformative path toward self-awareness, insight, and emotional and spiritual growth.

Although the practice presents a way to fast-track calming your nervous system (thanks to supported resting postures designed to be held for long periods of time), it can be hard to shed the racing thoughts and tension that most of us carry throughout the day. In fact, restorative yoga is closer to a meditation practice than a movement practice.

It challenges us to slow down, relax, and be with ourselves.

With each breath we take during restorative yoga, we consciously unwind. This creates an opportunity to release deep tension, which leads to ease in our bodies and minds and even helps us notice the ways in which we keep working and doing, physically and mentally - even when it’s not necessary.

All the restorative yoga practices in the Member’s Library have been created specifically not only to encourage you to relax, but also to help you transition back into your day-to-day pursuits in a more mindful way, so you can make more-nourishing choices all day long.

They say however you usually live your life, you need to practice the opposite on the yoga mat. So if your usual M.O. is to go go go, then give restorative yoga a try. Your body, mind, heart and spirit will be glad you did.