Elise Ratliff
Elise Ratliff
Restorative yoga can help increase flexibility through its gentle, passive approach to stretching and relaxation. Here’s how:
• Prolonged Passive Stretches: Restorative yoga involves holding poses for an extended time, often two to five minutes, which allows the muscles and connective tissues to lengthen gently and naturally. This passive approach can help increase joint range of motion and improve overall flexibility without strain.
• Deep Relaxation of Muscles: By focusing on relaxation, restorative yoga reduces tension in the body. When muscles are fully relaxed, they can stretch more easily, fostering greater flexibility over time.
• Focus on Connective Tissue: Unlike dynamic yoga, restorative yoga targets the deep connective tissues, encouraging elasticity in areas that are often overlooked in regular stretching routines.
Key Poses for Flexibility:
Supported Child’s Pose: Gently stretches the lower back and hips
Reclined Butterfly Pose: Opens the hips and stretches the inner thighs
Legs Up the Wall Pose: Eases tension in the hamstrings and lower back
Supported Forward Fold: Lengthens the spine and stretches the hamstrings
Recent comment in class from Pam: “I love your Restorative Yoga class! The focus on stretching and improving flexibility has really helped my golf game. As a result of what we do in class, I am able to rotate more in my swing, which is what golf instructors have been telling me to do, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. My golf score is coming down—yay!”
Restorative yoga is done on the floor and is suitable for all fitness levels and can be a powerful addition to your self-care routine. Please join Elise for class at the Cottonwood Palo Verde Fitness Center.
Classes are Monday and Friday at 10 a.m. The cost is $5 per class or prepay $20 to get five classes.
Hope to see you there! ~Namaste~