Yoga can have enormous benefits for the mind and body. However, when life is fast, we might find that our bodies and minds speed up to keep up. When our minds race, it can lead to feeling overwhelmed and drained. Overstimulated people may also be drawn to high-intensity exercise or vigorous yoga practice. The result is that our nervous systems take a beating.
Even if we only practice Restorative Yoga once a week, it can help us balance our hectic lives and heal stress-related emotional and physical issues. Restorative yoga uses props such as bolsters, blankets, and blocks to support the body during poses. We can stay there for up 10 minutes per pose. Restorative yoga does not require any muscular effort. This is why it can be a good option for those recovering from injuries or chronically ill.
Benefits of restorative yoga
Restorative yoga doesn’t require us to contract our muscles. Although we believe that we must ‘work’ to increase our flexibility, we can achieve more opening by relaxing and softening than by forcing ourselves through dynamic, strong asana practice.
The difference lies in the way you approach it. The key difference is the approach. This activates the parasympathetic nervous systems (responsible rest/digest process). It helps to combat the feeling of “overdrive” that we often feel.
Our bodies and minds can become more flexible, which allows us to connect with our natural compassion and understanding for others.
Restorative yoga benefits
- Relaxes the body deeply
- A busy mind is still a busy mind
- Reduces muscle tension and improves mobility and flexibility
- Increases healing and balancing capacity
- Balances the nervous systems
- Immune system booster
- Learn compassion and understanding towards self and others.
Accept and rest
Do you recall feeling relaxed? Your body felt soft, warm, and supple? Do you remember feeling so relaxed in your skin that you didn’t even notice?
What about the relaxed feeling of looking at everything from a distance and smiling, knowing everything is fine, just as it is? This state lets you know that everything is as it is and that there is no way to reject or accept anything.
Do you remember what it was like to be in your true nature when you rest? It is to know that you aren’t separate from life in the same way as the air around it or the waves separate from the ocean.
Yoga is about experiencing union. To see beyond the illusion that you are a separate entity. To realize that all of us are made up of the same energy is the basis of all beings.
Restorative yoga, for me, is a great way to access deep relaxation. It also helps you understand that sometimes nothing (resting now) can be one the most powerful, supportive, and healing practices.