How To Prepare For Your First Restorative Yoga Class
When most people think of yoga, they think of flowing from one movement to the next. These people would be surprised to discover a type of yoga with barely any movement at all! Restorative yoga promotes relaxation by resting in heavily supported poses for a long period of time. The induction of relaxation not only calms the mind and body, but also relieves the effects of stress. I remember going to my first restorative yoga class not knowing what to expect. While I ended up falling asleep, I also realized that this hour of purposeful mental and physical rest was what my busy mind needed. Since then, I’ve grown to love it and now dedicate myself to spreading the gospel of restorative yoga.
You’ve signed up for your first restorative yoga class. What’s next? In order to prepare yourself for the class, here are three tips:
Don’t expect to work up a sweat. Restorative yoga may contain some gentle movement, but in a typical class, you’ll be resting in a few poses.
Wear light layers. Restorative yoga invites you to settle into poses, but it’s difficult to fully settle down when your body isn’t at the perfect temperature. Socks, sweatshirts, and hats are great layers to add on or take off as needed during the class.
Bring something to place over your eyes to block any light. Lights can be very distracting and can trigger brain activity, which is what you want to minimize during a restorative yoga practice. Eye masks, scarves, and towels are good options.
Here is what I typically bring to a restorative yoga class: a pair of fuzzy socks, a light sweatshirt, and an eye mask that I got from the airlines toiletries bag given on international trips.
Restorative yoga is different from other yoga classes you’ve taken before, but its ability to calm the mind and body makes it worth incorporating into your yoga practice.
“Learning to relax is at the heart of living well...” —Judith Hanson Lasater, author of Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times
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References:
Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times By Judith Hanson Lasater