Often considered the most decadent of practices with its focus on ease and comfort, Restorative Yoga promotes rest and relaxation of the body and mind. Practiced almost exclusively on the floor in reclining or supine shapes, this passive practice allows the body to ‘be held’ and supported by bolsters, blankets and blocks. While these shapes provide an opportunity for the body to restore and heal itself, the stillness and quiet of the practice allows us to cultivate an awareness of the breath and mind in the present moment.
Like a tonic for the central nervous system, a restorative practice helps to de-habituate the body’s response to chronic stress and alleviates the effects of constant movement and ‘busy doing’ that are so common in our modern lives. Restorative yoga is also a tool for managing symptoms of adrenal fatigue, burnout, depression or anxiety as well as processing any significant emotional event such as loss or grief.