Rest. Relax. Restore. Reduce Pain and Weight Too. Who Knew?!

You can learn to follow the inner self, the inner physician that tells you where to go. Healing is simply attempting to do more of those things that bring joy and fewer of those things that bring pain. ~O. Carl Simonton


Lately, it seems as if everywhere I turn, I come across research touting the benefits of Restorative Yoga. It helps to reduce pain. It is more effective than stretching for losing weight. It provides relief if you suffer from anxiety or depression. It's an awesome stress buster. In short, it seems that Restorative Yoga is a brilliant practice for whatever ails you. It's a deceptively simple practice, and the great news is that you don't need to be physically fit. And it can be done anywhere (a quiet space where you won't be disturbed is best).


Restorative Yoga is the practice of becoming completely still. Using props (blankets, bolsters, blocks and straps), you move into various positions, and use the support of props underneath any part of your body that doesn't quite touch the floor. The result? You feel calmer, more relaxed, and incredibly well rested in a very short period of time. It's a sublime feeling that, given the frenetic pace of our culture, you might not have felt for a long time! Simple breathing practices can also help if you are feeling anxious or depressed.


Rest to the body means healing. It means rest for your overworked adrenal glands, mightily pumping out cortisol, the stress hormone, each time you feel excited or stressed. (Which could be most of the day, every day.) Too much cortisol over long periods can cause everything from sleep disturbance to lowered immunity to inability to think clearly. If your adrenals become fatigued from overstimulation, you may suffer from the effects of too little cortisol, potentially causing fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation.


So do your hardworking adrenals a favour.  Find a Restorative yoga class near you and try one soon.  Saturdays at 9:15 am join our Restorative yoga class.