Restorative Yoga

This restorative experience is intended for all ages and stages of life. Parents can do this practice with their young. join me and find stillness where it is possible and sink in to the natural rhythm of your breathing and subtle needs.

Transcript

What up y'all? It's Joyce and welcome. Today we're going to be doing a restorative practice. So if you have a pillow, Block, Books, Honestly, Truly books will work. If you have anything that you can stack to create a ramp. Do so. If not, Feel free and grab a blanket. But if not, Feel free just to grab a pillow. Really just kind of grab any supportive props you have. Because this restorative practice is meant to support you fully, As little effort as possible, Other than to reposition. So without further ado, Let's get started. All right, We're going to come down to lay on our back. So bring your butt to the bolster. So if that's what you're using, Come here, Pillow, Whatever you've got, Come right up to the edge of it and just line your spine up as much as you can. I have a blanket under my hips, So you're welcome to add that. And then just kind of make yourself comfortable. Let your hands come out to the sides. Feel free to rest your hands on extra pillows if you got them. Stretch your legs out long. Take a deep breath in. Slow breath out. Full breaths in. Slow breaths out. Allow yourself to arrive. You think a rival. Every time your mind starts to wander and move Remember where you are, What you're doing. As long as you're in a quiet, Soothing space, You're safe. Remember to be here in the moment. Focus on your breathing. Start to deepen your breath the next time you inhale. Softly release as you exhale. On another few breaths. Open and close your hands. Prepare your body to. . . Please reposition. Look a little bit left and right. Plant your hands down, Lift up just enough. To turn your body around. If you do have a pillow of sorts, We're going to turn it to where we can come on our sides and the middle section of our body is going to be what's supported by the pillow. So our head's not going to be on it unless this feels unsafe or uncomfortable for you. Our head will not be on the pillow. But if you do have any other pillows or support and you want your head to land on something instead of the floor, Feel free to do that. But either way, Take your time. Maybe try both versions if you're not sure. You can just reach your arms above head. Let your head fall. Deep breaths in and out. Soften your shoulders. Soften your jaw. Notice the quality of each breath you take. Allow each one to soften your body. Little bit more Continue to find slow, Deep breaths in through your nose. Slow, Calming breaths out. Honoring your body. If thoughts are popping up left and right, Just watch them. See if in your mind's eye you can take a back seat. I'm just going to watch. Be an observer. Not allowing yourself to attach to one thing. Just noticing. Allowing your breath to anchor you back to the moment, Back to the here and now. Next time you exhale, Take your top arm, Slowly bring it in front of your face. Inhale to lift up just enough. To switch your shape. You're going to turn the other way. I'm gonna move over so I can still face the camera. Bend your knees the other way. Take a little inventory. Make sure your body feels alright. As long as you feel okay, We'll just slowly take it to the other side. Notice if there's any differences. Sometimes you might need extra support or less support going from one side of the body to the next. So take your time. Reach your top arm up. This time you can bend your elbow. Top arm can come to the waist. Whatever feels good, The stretch is mainly happening. The side body so allow yourself space to Be free. You can stagger your knees. Be here, Deep breathing, Slowly softening. Big breath in through your nose. Full breath out. Take your top arm and the hand back in front of your face. Slowly start to lift up. Lift up to where you can bring your knees under your hips. Sway your hips side to side. Full breaths in and out. Do a little cat-cow movement. When you're ready, We can drop back into a brief child's posture. Just to reset, If you have the pillow in front of you, You can have it there to rest on. Your toes are together, Knees are apart. We're just here, Taking a few moments. Before we come to our backs. Take an inhale, Start to shift. Take your pillow. And your blanket, Whatever props you have, You can let them be a part of your wrist or not a part of it. The pillow can be under the knees. And you can use the blanket as a head, Neck, Or. . . Just as a blanket. And be supportive for your head or neck rather. As you're ready, Come to lay down. Take a full breath in and out. Settle your body down. Let your hands come out to your sides. Slow, Deep breaths in and out. No matter where you are, Where you're doing this practice at, Even if the video stops, I invite you to stay here as long as your schedule and your life allows you to just sit, Rest, Really let go of any of the effort in your physical body. Allow deep breaths in. Slow breaths out. Soften the muscles in your face. Soften your legs. The rise and the lowering of your belly.