Restorative Yoga – Thursday Nights at 7:30pm

Blog Written by Hallie Evans, teacher at The Yoga Place

“Relaxation means release of unnecessary muscular tension in your body, which also allows firmness of the inner body and serenity in the mind.”

BKS IYENGAR

I have to admit, when I first started taking yoga classes, I never used to understand the people that came to class on restorative week and were really excited.  They’d look forward to restorative all month, and I’d think, “But, we’re not DOING anything!”  I didn’t realize  how much we really were doing, and how important a restorative practice is.  Generally, in a restorative class we hold poses longer, and that often means we aren’t doing as many poses.  However, it’s not the quantity, but the quality of the poses that is key for a restorative yoga class. 

“Restorative yoga class has been my favorite class for the past 30 years of doing yoga. I always feel renewed, rested, and peaceful after restorative class. I enjoy ‘being’ in the poses, it allows me to appreciate the life force more fully.”

Student taking Restorative Class at TYP

Fully immersing oneself in a pose (so that it’s not just the body that receives the benefit, but the mind as well) can be done with action, but can be sustained longer in a deeply relaxing pose. Restorative yoga is so much more than lying in a pose and relaxing.  Restorative yoga helps provide physical and mental balance to help manage stress and anxiety. Through the use of props that allow you to hold poses longer, you gain the benefits of deep, passive stretching.

“This class has been such a gift in the evening. It gives me a chance to do calming poses that center both my mind and body.”

Student taking Restorative Class at TYP

These special restorative classes include supported poses and breathing techniques that will rest your body and calm your mind. In these unprecedented times, we need this more than ever!  

I have enjoyed teaching this restorative class over the past couple of months.  I find a deep satisfaction in observing students in the variety of restorative poses that I offer, and there is something so lovely about the space and quiet that I see in their poses.  Taking this class online has the added benefit of being at home; when done with class the students can just stay in a relaxed state and ease into the rest of the evening.

“It’s a luxury to relax into poses for an hour late in the day at home, and then get the best sleep of the week!”

Student in Restorative class at TYP

Restorative Classes are open to all levels yoga students!

Join me on Thursday nights at 7:30pm. SIGN UP here to get the Zoom Link to join.