Restorative Yoga for Wellbeing + Self-Healing

Did Vinyasa Flow, Hot, or Power Yoga get you to the yoga mat the first time?

Then let me introduce you to your new favorite style: Restorative Yoga!

The flowing, strength-building style of Ashtanga yoga hooked me early in my yoga journey. It wasn’t until much later that I appreciated the quiet power of Restorative Yoga for wellbeing. Unlike the more typical standing and balancing poses that populate a general Hatha Yoga or Power Yoga class, Restorative yoga is done supine, seated, or in supported prone positions.

Restorative Yoga is a specific type of yoga

Restorative Yoga is a style of Hatha yoga that places the student in a comfortable therapeutic position for an extended period of time. Props such as bolsters, blankets, eye pillows, straps, sand bags, and blocks are used to keep the student’s body tension-free and to reduce any strain from the extended holds. During restorative poses, the aim is to make the body as comfortable as possible, applying gentle therapeutic stretches and compression to restore balance to the nervous system and to harmonize the physiological and energetic systems. 

Restorative Yoga is therapeutic yoga

Because of its many therapeutic applications, Restorative Yoga is an excellent alternative to more vigorous styles of yoga for rehabilitation, pregnant women, children, senior adults, and as a complement to cross training. Restorative Yoga poses and practices are used holistically in managing many chronic conditions including arthritis, insomnia, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, HIV/Aids, depression, anxiety, postpartum and prenatal mood disorders, infertility, and menopause.

Learning appropriate therapeutic applications, modifications, and prop techniques are integral components to teaching Restorative Yoga, but practicing Restorative Yoga is beginner-friendly.

Restorative Yoga uses lots of props

Props are essential ingredients to a relaxing restorative practice. Since one of the primary aims of this style of yoga is to eliminate or reduce tension and discomfort, learning to place and adjust the props for your student’s maximum comfort is essential. The Four B’s of Restorative props list the essential tools and are the minimum necessary required props. Be sure to have enough of each prop for the sequence you’re practicing:

• Blankets

• Bolsters

• Blocks

• Belts

Additional (optional) props

• Sandbags 

• Place on abdomen for breath awareness in supine poses

• Place on sacrum in forward folds

• Place on thighs in relaxation pose

• Eye pillows 

• for relaxation pose: on hands and eyes

• Pillows 

• provide extra height to blankets and bolsters

• add a small amount of support between joints

• Chairs

• For supported Bridge

• Wall

  • for supine postures, some twists, + supported inversions

• Curved blocks

  • provide firmer support than blankets, pillows or bolsters

Try a Restorative Yoga practice

Practice Restorative Yoga with Kellie in the Virtual Studio, or take a training and learn to teach this quiet and powerful yoga for self-healing. Yoga Teachers, Yoga Therapists, learn more about the next Restorative Yoga Training with Kellie and the Wisdom Method here.