Restorative Yoga Poses
Yoga postures are known to be energizing, vigorous and power packed. However, there are days when you just need to take a break and relax. Restorative yoga is designed for days like that.
Restorative yoga is a form of yoga designed to promote relaxation, flooding both the body and the mind with a sense of calm and peace. Restorative yoga postures stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This in turn lowers heart rate and blood pressure levels. It also boosts circulation, immunity and organ function.
Restorative yoga is especially useful to relieve fatigue, stress and conditions like insomnia, depression, asthma and migraines. Restorative yoga also helps rehabilitation from chronic injuries.
This form of yoga incorporates several props into the routine – a yoga mat, rolls of blankets, boulders, cushions, blocks, chairs, a yoga ball, etc. So gather your gear and try out some these postures:
Supported Backbends – Lie on your back and place the blankets (or bolster) under your shoulders. Spread your arms out. Bend your knees and plant your feet on the floor. Be sure to support your head too, as it needs to rest slightly above your shoulders. This posture opens up your chest area and increases the oxygen flow to your body. It also relaxes your upper back.
Supported Child Pose – Kneel down on the yoga mat. Place the bolster between your legs, but don’t sit on it. Bend forward using the bolster to support your torso. This posture lengthens the spine and releases tension. It also massages the abdomen and opens up the diaphragm.
Supported Downward Dog – Get on the floor on all fours. Lift your hips upwards, stretch your legs behind and your arms forward. Tuck your head in and support it on a blanket. This posture stretches the spine and opens up the chest. It is beneficial for the brain; is especially good to fight off headaches and insomnia.
Supported Forward Bends – Stand with your feet slightly apart. Bend forward from your waist, keeping your lower half firm. Support your hands and forehead on a cushioned chair. This posture stretches the muscles along the back. It also reduces the tension gathered around the torso, spine and legs.
Supported Legs Up the Wall Pose – Place the supportive blanket under your pelvis as you raise your legs along the wall. This posture reverses the flow of blood and energy to the upper half of the body. It stimulates the endocrine system and transports fresh nutrients to the throat and chest, rejuvenating the system.
These postures (and many more) can be practiced at any time of the day. However, they are generally undertaken at the start of a busy day or at the end of one; there is no better way to cool down, after all.
Restorative yoga is a form of yoga designed to promote relaxation, flooding both the body and the mind with a sense of calm and peace. Restorative yoga postures stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This in turn lowers heart rate and blood pressure levels. It also boosts circulation, immunity and organ function.
Restorative yoga is especially useful to relieve fatigue, stress and conditions like insomnia, depression, asthma and migraines. Restorative yoga also helps rehabilitation from chronic injuries.
This form of yoga incorporates several props into the routine – a yoga mat, rolls of blankets, boulders, cushions, blocks, chairs, a yoga ball, etc. So gather your gear and try out some these postures:
Supported Backbends – Lie on your back and place the blankets (or bolster) under your shoulders. Spread your arms out. Bend your knees and plant your feet on the floor. Be sure to support your head too, as it needs to rest slightly above your shoulders. This posture opens up your chest area and increases the oxygen flow to your body. It also relaxes your upper back.
Supported Child Pose – Kneel down on the yoga mat. Place the bolster between your legs, but don’t sit on it. Bend forward using the bolster to support your torso. This posture lengthens the spine and releases tension. It also massages the abdomen and opens up the diaphragm.
Supported Downward Dog – Get on the floor on all fours. Lift your hips upwards, stretch your legs behind and your arms forward. Tuck your head in and support it on a blanket. This posture stretches the spine and opens up the chest. It is beneficial for the brain; is especially good to fight off headaches and insomnia.
Supported Forward Bends – Stand with your feet slightly apart. Bend forward from your waist, keeping your lower half firm. Support your hands and forehead on a cushioned chair. This posture stretches the muscles along the back. It also reduces the tension gathered around the torso, spine and legs.
Supported Legs Up the Wall Pose – Place the supportive blanket under your pelvis as you raise your legs along the wall. This posture reverses the flow of blood and energy to the upper half of the body. It stimulates the endocrine system and transports fresh nutrients to the throat and chest, rejuvenating the system.
These postures (and many more) can be practiced at any time of the day. However, they are generally undertaken at the start of a busy day or at the end of one; there is no better way to cool down, after all.