Hey,
I'm Allie,
And we're going to talk about what restorative yoga actually is.
So if you have ever Googled restorative yoga and thought,
Isn't this just lying on the floor with blankets?
It is that,
But it's also so much more than that.
And I'm kind of obsessed with it.
So let me explain.
Restorative yoga is like practicing intentional rest.
It's like deep,
Deliberate nervous system gets a proper holiday kind of rest.
We use props like pillows,
Blankets,
Bolsters,
Blocks,
Sometimes even a chair and sometimes the wall.
And we use these to fully support your body so it doesn't have to work at all.
We're not really stretching and we're definitely not strengthening.
We're not even trying to be flexible.
We are just completely letting go.
You might only move through a few different poses in each session and you stay in each one for at least a few minutes.
Usually it's more around like five minutes,
Even up to 20 minutes.
So that might sound like a long time to you.
And the first time you do it,
It might feel that way,
But you'll probably also feel something big shift throughout your experience.
My students and retreat guests asks me one question all the time.
Is restorative the same as yin yoga?
And no,
It's not.
Yin is about leaning into an edge.
It's about feeling into intensity.
And restorative yoga is kind of like the opposite,
In a way.
If something does feel like effort,
You add another prop to support you.
The goal for restorative yoga is complete ease and relaxation.
Think of it this way.
Yin is a deep stretch that you have to breathe through.
And restorative yoga is like being tucked in and told you have nothing to do next 30 minutes.
Probably for you.
So many of us do,
This could actually be the most useful thing you do all week.
I'm Allie Temple.
I have restorative and nervous system practices right here on Insight Timer that you are welcome to explore.
Don't forget your props,
And I'll see you there.
