Restorative yoga is a relaxing style of yoga which uses bolsters, pillows, and blocks, which promote relaxation and wellness. You can help your body unwind and rejuvenate, allowing your body to release unnecessary tension without causing strain. Unlike dynamic yoga styles, restorative yoga encourages complete relaxation by allowing practitioners to remain comfortably in each posture for several minutes. This practice helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support physical recovery. The yoga teacher training in Rishikesh is a well-organised TTC in which you learn how to practice this style.
You learn how to use bolsters, blankets, straps, and blocks, wherein you breathe deeply and relax the muscles. Restorative yoga poses help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is every body’s rest and digest system. Moreover, when you get into a seemingly difficult pose, it gives a sense of comfort and ease. Those suffering from any sort of injury, or recuperating from an illness, can use restorative yoga to maintain good health.
Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh – Decodes Benefits Of Restorative Yoga
- Deep Relaxation – You will likely experience a deeper relaxation, due to nervous system regulation, when you engage in restorative yoga. Using blocks, blankets, straps, and bolsters helps in the release of muscle tension. This helps you hold the poses for longer.
- Better Sleep – When you take the support of props, you add stability to your practice. This allows better relaxation in each pose. So, you can unwind and go ahead with unadulterated sleep. You can also combine these restorative poses with Yoga Nidra.
- Reduced Stress – As props provide you with safety and assurance, you can relax in each pose. Your cortisol levels go down and so does your heart rate, when you are in restorative poses. Thus, you can de-stress.
- Alleviates Pain – When you use props in different poses, the body gets added support. Thus, you are able to hold the poses for a longer time, leading to deep stretch. In this manner, you can also relieve chronic muscle tension.
- Supports Accessibility For Challenging Poses – Even if you are a beginner, you can get into challenging poses, with support from the props. Take the example of back bends in restorative yoga, where you can use straps to stretch the body backward.
So, now you know that there are myriad benefits associated with restorative poses in yoga. In the best 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, you will learn restorative yoga as well, wherein props are used. Contrary to what most people think, your life gets easy, when you use props.
Best Restorative Yoga Poses With Props
- Balasana – This is one of the most popular restorative poses in restorative yoga. You can use blankets, bolsters, and yoga blocks to get into the pose. This pose will help to gently stretch the lower back and hips. Additionally, it also calms the mind. When you use props in such yoga poses, the props take the pressure off the hips and knees. Thus allowing you to go deeper into the posture. Moreover, you can also ward off over-exertion. In the pose, you can use a thick pillow as well, if blocks and bolsters are not available. There is the option to place rolled towels under the knees as well. As an alternative for blocks, you can also stack books. Close your eyes and breathe slowly through the nose.
- Supta Baddha Konasana – This is another extremely restorative pose for anyone. When you practice this pose, you gently open up the hips and groin areas. This helps in lengthening the spine and also improves posture. You can feel the tension moving off your back. You can use bolsters and blankets in this pose, supporting your back and shoulder blades. The benefits of using props in getting into this popular asana are thigh and hip loosening and easing off strain from the knees and lower back. Additionally, it also helps in calming the nervous system. If you do not have blankets, you can use towels rolled up under the knees. Secondly, if you are missing a block while you practice, you can also use thick books. Close your eyes and breathe slowly through the nose.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana – As a part of the yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, the supported bridge pose is a very important pose. It helps in opening up the chest region, and also stretches the back and relieves tension in the process. You need a yoga block and a folded blanket to do this pose. There are many different benefits of this pose. You can easily do this gentle backbend as a beginner, without exerting too much. Additionally, if you suffer from any tension in your lower back, it gets relieved. This pose also opens the chest and hips. You will also be able to soothe your nervous system. You can use books stacked up, yoga blocks, and rolled up cotton towels or a soft pillow as well, for support. Close your eyes and breathe slowly through the nose.
- Supported Fish Pose – This is also called Salamba Matsyasana. You can do this gentle restorative backbend with a pillow. It opens the chest, stretches the neck muscles and also alleviates upper body tension. While using blocks, place one below the centre of the shoulder blades and another beneath the head. For restorative practice, hold the pose for 5-10 minutes. Close your eyes and breathe slowly through the nose.
- Shavasana – Finally, this is what many yoga practitioners wait for. While lying down, close your eyes and breathe slowly through the nose. This pose can help in calming the nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, and also improve blood circulation. When practiced with props, your body goes into complete relaxation mode. It also helps to release tension in the body and mind.
Conclusion
At Yoga Vidya Mandiram, you will learn about restorative yoga poses with props. You can enhance your alignment, improve flexibility, get support and stability, and also get into challenging poses. Restorative yoga teaches that the deepest transformation happens when we allow ourselves to slow down, breathe, and rest. We introduce students to traditional restorative practices, as a part of the yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. We also guide our students to practice safely with compassion and confidence.