Elise Ratliff
Gentle, supportive, and therapeutic are just a few words that describe restorative yoga. Restorative yoga is a style of yoga that encourages physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Appropriate for all levels, restorative yoga is practiced at a slow pace, focusing on long holds, stillness, and deep breathing.
This yoga style is known for its ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the “rest and relax” part of your nervous system that helps keep basic functions working as they should. By allowing time for longer holds in a shape or pose, along with deep breathing, restorative yoga helps elicit the relaxation response. This response can help slow breathing, reduce blood pressure, and produce a feeling of calm and increased well-being. One of the best poses to achieve this is called “Legs Up the Wall.”
A key feature in restorative yoga is the use of props such as blankets, bolsters, blocks, and straps. The props support you in holding passive poses for longer without exerting or tiring out your muscles. Because you’re encouraged to relax fully in the pose while focusing on your breath, restorative yoga allows you to release tension in your muscles for longer periods without discomfort.
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.).
Please join Elise for class at the Sun Lakes 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~