What Is the Purpose of Restorative Yoga? - Aura Wellness Center

What Is the Purpose of Restorative Yoga?

purpose of restorative yogaBy Gopi Rao

What is the true purpose of restorative yoga? Restorative Yoga will help you relax completely, boosting your immune system. It is a great stress reliever when you are pushed to your limits. Restorative Yoga might be for you if you suffer from constant fatigue and illness. Restorative students have a variety of reasons for attending classes regularly. Most notably, students come to classes to recover, rejuvenate, and relax. Recovery from chemotherapy is needed, which is why you see this style in hospitals and oncology departments.

 

No Force and No Strain

This type of Yoga also uses props, such as blankets, straps, pillows, blocks, bolsters, walls, stools, chairs, or a mat, to support the body, allowing you to hold poses longer and eliminating unnecessary straining. It is believed that the more support your body is given, the more peaceful and restful you will be during and after your Yoga practice. As you begin practicing restorative Yoga, you can drop into a place of great contentment.

Deep Restfulness

There are many benefits from the deep restfulness that comes from restorative yoga. Some believed benefits are lowering blood pressure, balancing serum triglycerides and blood sugar, increased good cholesterol, improved digestive functions, reduced muscle tension, increased restful sleep, and reduced fatigue. For students with chronic health conditions, restorative yoga has become a haven.

 

Researching Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga is also believed to improve fertility. At this time, many different medical studies are taking place to evaluate therapeutic forms of Yoga. Restorative Yoga is classified as a therapeutic form of Yoga. Relaxation does help people and families in many ways. Restorative Yoga is a style designed to improve flexibility, balance, and strength. It also helps to reduce stress and tension in the body. These benefits can lead to improved overall health.

About the Benefits

Firstly, one benefit and purpose of Restorative Yoga includes increased flexibility. Steady practice helps to improve your range of motion. This can lead to an increased range of motion in your joints, improving your flexibility and mobility. Secondly, Restorative Yoga helps to improve your balance and coordination. This can help you stay on your feet more easily and reduce the risk of falls. Thirdly, Restorative Yoga helps to build stronger muscles throughout your body. This can reduce the risk of injury and help you achieve greater fitness results.

 

Active Relaxation

Restorative Yoga is designed to support and help the body relax during asana practice, which is often referred to as active relaxation. The poses also move the spinal column in all directions, which goes with the ancient principle of physical Yoga—the belief that a healthy spine promotes well-being. Restorative Yoga is a gently active style that promotes relaxation and restoration. It is often referred to as “relaxing Yoga,” “stress-relieving Yoga,” or “Yogic restoration.”

Promoting Relaxation and Relieving Pain

Restorative Yoga aims to help the practitioner achieve a state of deep relaxation and physical and psychological healing. Classes can use various poses, including the Supine Spinal Twist, Head-to-Knees Pose, and Child’s Pose. Each pose has specific benefits, including reducing stress, improving circulation, promoting relaxation, and relieving pain.

 

Using Gravity and Support

Ideally, gravity does most of the work when we are in a vital posture. Regarding props, you should use whatever is needed to support your body. That is one of the main purposes of restorative Yoga. It is believed that the longer you can hold a posture, the more relaxed you will become.

Adjusting

It would help if you also took the time to adjust your props so that you are comfortable. If a prop is out of place, you are out of alignment during your restorative Yoga session, defeating the purpose of your goal. The purpose of restorative Yoga is the same as Hatha Yoga. However, the use of props makes it more “user-friendly.”

 

Yoga Poses for Relaxation

The first one is the simple Supported Back Bend. This pose stretches the lower middle back, opens the chest and shoulders, and relieves stress.

Another posture is Viparita Karani. The purpose of this pose is gentle inversion. This Yoga pose is often called: “Legs-Up-the-Wall-Pose.”

The third pose is supported Pasichimottanasana, or Forward Bend Pose. This pose is good for those with lower back problems or tight hamstrings. It opens the leg muscles and stretches the back. It is also a great resting position.

Full Circle

What is the purpose of Restorative Yoga? All varieties of Yoga training provide holistic health support and good physical conditioning and promote spiritual awareness. Still, one type is especially effective at reversing the effects of burnout, exhaustion, and fatigue.

Yoga of Surrender

Restorative Yoga differs from many other physical styles in that it utilizes a wide variety of props, all designed to make the postures (asanas) as low-impact, easy, and relaxing as possible. This is the Yoga of surrender, surrender of the body, mind, and, eventually, the spirit itself.

 

Background Noise of Negativity

Life sometimes appears to work against us rather than for us, and this struggle leads to stress, exhaustion, and even a low level of constant, latent anger. This continual background noise of negativity becomes a steady drain on energy levels, which will only grow if not addressed.

Accessible Classes

Restorative classes focus on being easily accessible for beginners from the very start. An entire asana session may consist of only a handful of poses over a 10-20-minute period, but because of the props, it is pretty comfortable despite the length.

 

How to Begin

A typical restorative yoga training session should start with mild warm-ups to prepare the body for holding asanas for an extended period. During the actual holding of the Yoga pose, props—such as blankets, pillows, blocks, bolsters, walls, towels, or mats—may be adjusted as needed until the sweet spot of comfort and support is reached.

In Stillness, Chatter Begins

Surprisingly, restorative training can be frustrating for some beginners at first because they are expecting too much too soon. Therapeutic yoga sessions utilize basic poses to promote an easy surrender for the body, but the mind is often a different story. Sometimes, the quieter and freer the body feels, the more the mind chatters. This is because the stillness threatens the ego and seeks an escape. What better escape is there for the ego – than drawing attention to itself?

 

Developing Patience

In this respect, restorative asanas run parallel to meditation, and the same amount of patience or non-attachment to the outcome is necessary for success. Simply put, there is no pressure. Either there will be stillness and relaxation, or there won’t be. It is not a problem. If the mind insists on racing, even when the body is relaxed and in perfect alignment, observe the mind and make that your meditation.

Mind Chatter

Eventually, the mind chatter will become silenced, and that blissful state of inner restoration and peace will open to you. Restorative Yoga is excellent for anyone in need of recharging and inner peace.

 

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

Please visit the following link to see our online Yoga teacher training courses.

https://aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Are you interested in Meditation Teacher Training?

Click here to see our online Yoga Nidra teacher training course.

Are you an experienced teacher looking for YACEP credits or continuing education?

Subscribe to Our Newsletter for Special Discounts and New Products

Related Resources

The YOGA MIND:

52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen your Practice

by Rina Jakubowicz.

RESTORATIVE YOGA FOR LIFE:

A Relaxing Way to De-stress, Re-energize, and Find Balance

by: Gail Boorstein Grossman.

YOGA: THE PATH TO HOLISTIC HEALTH

by B.K.S. Iyengar

TEACHING YOGA: Essential Foundations and Techniques

The Therapeutic Benefits of Yoga Props

Yoga Props Today

Restorative Yoga Teacher Certification Course

Do you want to become a yoga instructor? See our selection of affordable hatha yoga instructor certification courses.

Please share our posts with your friends, colleagues, and favorite social media networks. Please visit the following link to see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses and specialized Yoga certification programs.

https://aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/  

3 thoughts on “What Is the Purpose of Restorative Yoga?”

  1. Thank you for explaining the purpose of Restorative Yoga. Restorative Yoga poses are designed to provide support and help the body to relax, and Restorative Yoga is classified as a therapeutic form of Yoga. Thanks again for posting this valuable article.

Leave a Comment

Your Cart