Things to Use in Restorative Yoga

A Yoga workout can work for many different body types and for each individual’s many different moods. Some people prefer a dynamic power yoga class, while others would practice yoga for the benefit that it gives when they meditate, thus their entire yoga fitness regime might very well have focused on meditation techniques. It’s all about mind power or yin yang. The most beneficial yoga for an average person for me would be restorative yoga.

Some equipments that would increase your overall experience in restorative yoga would include a yoga block, a yoga strap, blankets, yoga bolster, balls, chairs, wall, sandbags, etc.

Common restorative yoga poses used in yoga fitness today:

Restorative Yoga Pose # 1: Breathing in Reclining Position
Lie on a supine position. As you breathe, feel your diaphragm rise as it fills with air. Release slowly and exhale through your mouth.

Restorative Yoga Pose # 2: Reclining Bound Angle Pose
This yoga pose allows a gentle opening to the hips and chest, and is an excellent time to focus on breathing or to introduce a heart-opening meditation…

Lean bolster on stack of blankets or blocks. A rolled blanket should be placed under each knee. Strap can be looped behind lower back, over insides of legs and around feet to allow students to relax any effort to hold feet together. Sandbags may be placed on inner thighs to ground the legs. Make sure legs are fully supported, without a deep stretch, before placing sandbags.

Restorative Yoga Pose # 3: Supported Child’s Pose

This restorative yoga pose releases tension in the back and hips. The bolster provides a feeling of security and comfort. Kneel, and place bolster between knees. Fold forward over bolster, resting head on it. Blanket may be placed under hips for more support, and sandbag may be placed on hips to anchor pose.

Restorative Yoga Pose # 4: Supported Bridge Pose

Place combination of bolster and rolled blankets under lower back and hips. Looped strap can be placed around thighs, tightened just enough to keep knees from splaying apart. Legs can be bent or straight, whichever is more comfortable. If legs are straight, block under feet can offer extra support. This restorative yoga pose releases tension in the hip flexors, abdominal muscles and chest. Having the head slightly lower than the heart deepens the relaxation response

Restorative Yoga Pose # 5: Gentle Inversion

The only necessary prop for this pose is the wall. A folded blanket placed under the torso can provide additional elevation. Sandbag placed across feet can anchor legs and help release lower back and hips. This restorative yoga pose provides an inversion for the lower body and is an excellent way to end a restorative yoga practice.