Restore Mind and Body
- Image from: www.michellegirouard.com
Starting tomorrow I'll be teaching a new restorative yoga class that will incorporate thai yoga massage and reiki. My usual classes are vinyasa style and are geared toward building strength, particularly core strength, as well as all the other benefits you get from yoga classes. This restorative class will have long holds in more of a yin yoga style (up to 3 minutes in a pose) to help let the connective tissues and fascial tissue release as well as being beneficial to opening the joints and muscles.In a typical yoga class poses are held for short times, maybe 30 seconds or so. This is effective is stretching muscles and there is some evidence out there that stretching for longer than 30 seconds is not only unnecessary but can cause injury over time. That's why in a restorative class you'll only see a small variety of poses that are responsive to this type of stretching. That way you get the benefits of these very long holds without causing over-stress to any part of the body that isn't meant to be stretched for so long.Some benefits to a restorative practice are:
- Increases mobility in the body, especially the joints and hips
- Lower stress levels
- Better lubrication and protection of joints
- More flexibility in joints & connective tissue
- Release of fascia throughout the body
- Help with TMJ and migraines
- Deeper Relaxation
- Coping skills for anxiety and stress
- Better ability to sit for meditation
Adding in thai yoga massage elements will enhance the experience as will the sharing of reiki energy throughout the class.If you do yoga, adding in a little restorative or yin practice each week will improve your overall experience both on and off the mat.