A little late this evening, my friends. I decided to take a Restorative Yoga class this evening and just got back.

Why?

I went to this particular class because, I don’t know about you, but I was exhausted from the holidays. Once New Years Day passed, I was feeling so lethargic and depleted, I knew I needed to get back on track. And, for me, one of the best ways to do that is find a yoga class to recharge.

What?

Restorative (or yin) yoga is a practice that I usually describe as “lolling around on pillows for an hour and a half”. But it is so much more than that. According to Yoga Journal, it is a series of 5-6 poses that you hold for a sustained period of time, anywhere from 5 – 20 minutes. You will typically use props, such as bolsters and blocks. You have blankets and pillows, and eye sachets – you see why I describe it the way I do?

The sequences are usually hip openers, chest openers, slight twists, folds or backbends. Nothing too strenuous. The goal is to be present, relax into your breath and let gravity do much of the work. And, a nice long savasana (corpse pose) at the end sets you up just right for a good night’s sleep. And who doesn’t need that, right?

How?

There is no right or wrong way with this, no alignment to consider, no standing on your head. It is just about being in touch with yourself for the first time today or maybe the first time in a long time.

With regular practice, restorative yoga works on several levels:

• Promotes Self-care

• Increases Attention

• Increases Relaxation

• Provides Insight

• Emotional and Spiritual growth

Sessions can help you unwind, turn off the chatter and create a mindful attitude that helps you more easily relax throughout a busy day.

I have been practicing yoga since 1995 and I am a proponent of all the good it can do for your body and mind. As a wellness coach, I can’t help but offer this up to my clients as component of a healthy lifestyle. I have been known to take some of them with me to experience the benefits of yoga (you know who you are).

If you want to know more, contact me with any questions you have. I am a fan. Namaste!