Five Ways Restorative is Different from Other Styles of Yoga

Most forms of yoga flow directly from pose to pose, building heat in the body and increasing strength and flexibility. Restorative yoga strays away from the athletic basis of traditional yoga styles and instead focuses on stillness and relaxation. Restorative is its own practice, unique to any other style of yoga. Here are 5 ways restorative yoga is different from other styles of yoga:

1. Restorative yoga focuses on slowing down and opening the body. While other forms of yoga may be fast-paced and invigorating, restorative yoga is a slower practise, which aims to enhance our awareness and explore our minds and bodies on a deeper level. Many forms of yoga aim to energise, but restorative yoga aims to heal and relax.

2. Restorative Yoga uses props for comfort. Restorative yoga uses an array of props ranging from pillows and blankets to yoga blocks. These props promote enhanced comfort during poses in order to allow us to hold them for a longer period of time and deepen relaxation.

3. Restorative Yoga slows down the nervous system. Many forms of yoga include warm-ups, poses and flows that increase our heart rate. Rather than focusing on toning and energising, restorative yoga focuses on stretching and relaxing into poses for longer periods of time.

4. Restorative yoga encourages rest. While most types of yoga involve mindfulness and focusing on the forms of postures, restorative yoga promotes full relaxation of the body and mind. Rather than doing multiple poses in a practice, restorative yoga consists of a few poses held for a long period of time.

5. Restorative yoga allows the nervous system to repair itself. Through deep relaxation into various poses, restorative yoga teaches us how to fully let go. This gives the nervous system a chance to have absolutely no stimulation and further heal itself.

Here’s a pose you can try at home

• Legs against Wall – Performed with bolster under your legs, hips or back.This pose is known as the great rejuvenator pose. It neutralises the body so when your tired it helps to boost your energy and grounds your energy bringing you down to earth. This pose nourishes the nervous system and rejuvenates the circulatory system. Watch this great tutorial from Lisa.

Join me on Sunday 3rd July for my Restorative Yoga Workshop, where you will experience a deeply relaxing, meditative practice. You’ll leave with some easy tips to relax and unwind at home.