A Guide to Restorative Yoga for Stress Reduction
Stress, anxiety, and tension are all-too-common experiences in our modern lives. We’re constantly being pulled in different directions and pushed to our limits. But there is hope! Restorative yoga is a great way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Let's explore why restorative yoga is so beneficial for stress reduction.
What Is Restorative Yoga?
Restorative yoga is a type of yoga practice that helps your body relax deeply, using props such as blankets, bolsters, and blocks to support your body in various poses. This allows you to stay in the pose longer while still being comfortable, allowing you to stretch more deeply than if you were just holding the pose on your own. The use of props also makes it easier to relax into the poses, which helps you let go of any tension or stress that might be stored in your body.
The Benefits of Restorative Yoga
The most obvious benefit of restorative yoga is its ability to reduce stress and tension in the body. It can help lower cortisol levels—the hormone associated with stress—which can have a positive effect on overall health and wellbeing. Additionally, restorative yoga can help improve sleep quality by relaxing the mind and calming racing thoughts that often occur at night when trying to fall asleep. Finally, restorative yoga can help increase flexibility by stretching out tight muscles and connective tissues over time.
Creating a Restorative Practice
Creating a successful restorative practice takes some planning but is totally doable! Start by finding a comfortable place where you won't be disturbed for at least 15 minutes; this could be your bedroom or living room or even outside under a tree if weather permits! Set up your space with all the props you need for each pose; blocks for support under hands or feet, blankets for extra cushioning on joints like knees or elbows, straps for stretching arms behind the back, etc… Once everything is set up it's time to start moving! Use slow movements—like standing up from one pose (like mountain pose) then slowly bowing forward into downward facing dog before transitioning into child's pose—to get into each position while focusing on breathing deeply into each movement. Stay in each position anywhere from 5-15 minutes depending on what feels right for your body before slowly transitioning out of each posture back into mountain pose then finally lying down onto the floor with legs stretched out wide open palms facing up towards ceiling staying here until end of practice.
Restorative yoga can provide great relief from both physical and mental tension & stress allowing us to gain control over our bodies & minds so we can live more happily & healthily no matter how stressful life may seem at times. With proper preparation & practice we can create successful restorative practices that will make us feel relaxed & rejuvenated every single time we move through them! So take some time today—even if it’s just 5 minutes—to practice restorative poses & start feeling better today!