Elise Ratliff
It always feels good to take a breath after the long, hot summer and welcome the upcoming cooler months! Restorative Yoga in the Fall focuses on slowing down, grounding, and supporting digestion through longer-held, supported poses with props such as bolsters, blankets, blocks, and straps. Do Restorative Yoga to bring balancing Yin energy (calm) to your life during the season that tends to create more Yang energy (busy). The practice encourages deep relaxation and prepares the body and mind for the hectic months ahead.
Classic Fall Poses
* Legs Up the Wall for grounding
* Supported Bridge for digestion
* Supine Spinal Twist for release
* Happy Baby for letting go
* Child’s Pose for comfort
Key Elements of Fall Restorative Yoga
* Props: Use blankets, bolsters, blocks, and straps to fully support the body in each pose
* Long Holds: Hold the poses for two to five minutes to allow the body to relax deeply and connect with the Yang energy of autumn in Arizona (you can hold longer if doing at home, class presents a limited time frame)
* Grounding: Focus on poses that connect you to the earth, such as legs up the wall to help you feel more stable and balanced
* Digestion Support: Include gentle spinal twists and Happy Baby pose to support the large intestine, and promote more efficient digestion (think of all of the upcoming holiday foods!)
* Warmth: Cover your body with blankets to stay warm and secure during your practice. Putting something with a little weight across your hips and belly when lying on your back can support the feeling of being grounded. Bring a bag of dry beans or rice from home to use in class!
This is an ideal practice for anyone dealing with stress, burnout, fatigue, injury, or simply looking to unwind deeply. The class is done on the floor and is suitable for all fitness levels and can be a powerful addition to your self-care routine. Feel free to bring anything from home that might serve as a prop for this class (blanket, cushion, towel, eye cover, etc). Blocks and straps are provided. There is a fee to attend classes at Cottonwood/Palo Verde: $5 per class or $20 for a five-class punch card.
* Classes at Cottonwood/Palo Verde: Monday and Friday 10 a.m.
IronOaks Wellness Center: Thursday 10 a.m.
Hope to see you there!
~Namaste~