Why Restorative Yoga?

Restorative Yoga is a gentle, slow, still style of yoga that involves long, passive holds in a series of restful poses while working with the breath.

Restorative Yoga was developed in the 1970s through the Iyengar lineage as a method to recover from illness or injury and today is also used regularly to restore balance, calm, and rest to the body, mind, and nervous system.

With so much outward flow of energy in today's world and our day-to-day, Restorative Yoga brings balance to the inner world - mind, body, organs, breath, and nervous system, for optimal health. The body is supported by props: bolsters, blankets, pillows, blocks, and the use of an eye pillow which enables the body to soften and release deeply held tension. It helps the body achieve a state of total relaxation and release.

The practice activates the parasympathetic nervous system ( responsible for the body's rest/digest process) which helps combat that feeling of "overdrive" that we often find ourselves in. Because the body and mind become softer, we also create the space to get in touch with our natural qualities of compassion and understanding. It is deeply relaxing, recharging, and allows the body's natural healing functions to kick in.

Benefits of Restorative Yoga

  • Deeply relaxes the body.

  • Stills a busy mind.

  • Releases muscular tension, improving mobility and flexibility.

  • Improves capacity for healing and balancing.

  • Balances the nervous system.

  • Boosts the immune system.

  • Develops a quality of compassion and understanding toward others and self.

Liza demonstrates Supported Butterfly Pose