“I find it so hard to sit in meditation”
I hear this a lot! What if we were to suggest instead that you lay down supported with bolsters, blocks, blankets, pillows & cushions?
This is what a restorative practice is, and every 10 minutes that you let yourself be supported in this space is equivalent to getting an hour of sleep! You may even fall asleep (and that’s okay), but it could also end up being your gateway to a well needed meditation practice.
Benefits of a regular restorative yoga practice
- Stills a busy mind
- Invokes deep relaxation
- Eases muscle tension
- Enhances our ability to sleep peacefully
- Improves the body’s ability to heal
- Regulates the nervous system
- Boosts the immune system
- Allows us to create space and compassion for the Self
- Enables us to be in a better space to hold space for others
How can 10 minutes of restorative practice be worth an hour of sleep?
Restorative poses kick start the relaxation response, balancing our nervous system and optimising energy flow to our organs. These poses lift our immune function and enhance the process of our digestion, respiration and circulation.
Restorative Yoga sets the whole body up for deep healing, growth and repair, an incredible system to heal mind, body & soul.
Why a Restorative practice could end up being a power move
Our society is at breaking point in a multitude of different ways. The innumerable streams of fear based information we are facing on social media is so very hard to filter for those who wish to use it for genuine heart felt connections and promotion of positive events to help rebuild our community instead of creating separation through fear.
We operate through two different systems known as The Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight) & The Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest & digest)
In years gone by, our ancestors had good reason to use fight or flight when running or climbing a tree to escape a large animal, luckily, in a way, we don’t have to worry about that in our modern civilisation, however that elevated heart rate and fear finds a way in via such things as seeing a post on social media that threatens peace of mind, receiving a late night email from your boss, an inability to reach a deadline or a call from a child’s school etc.
Add that to all we are having to navigate in present time and it’s a lot, it’s too much and there is less and less space for rest where not only the digestive system but all of the body’s physiology receives time to re-boot.
It is imperative therefore that we find the time not only for our physical and physiological health but also for our mental health, that we learn to cultivate the ability to rest. Initially when we are not used to slowing down the inner voice tries to dish out all of the reasons why you shouldn’t be there. The louder the voice the greater the need for a restorative practice.
Curious and want to learn more?
Head on over to my information page: Restorative Yoga & The Path To Wholeness
Or are you ready to bring a restorative practice into your routine?
Join me for an extra special restorative yoga class complete with a cacao ceremony. During these two hours you will release tension, find a sense of calm, and give your mental and physical health the TLC it deserves.
In this space we will focus on mindfulness, the breath, and postures that are held for a while – all the time supported by bolsters, blankets and other props that put your comfort first.
Secure your slice of restorative bliss – book a place today
