New Restorative Yoga Course: Learn How to Relax

Imagine you’re feeling stressed (for many of us, that is probably not a stretch these days), and you want to relax. You tell yourself, “just relax.” Then the next thing you know, you feel even more stressed. Maybe it’s a tightening sensation in your chest, butterflies in your stomach, or maybe it’s hard to take a deep breath. Telling ourselves to relax will probably have the opposite effect. I think it’s important to set ourselves up to have a better experience. That is exactly what Restorative Yoga has done for me, and for many of the people who practice with me.

I’m not going to tell you that Restorative Yoga is the cure for everything, because let’s face it that’s not how yoga, or life for that matter, works. But Restorative Yoga can help: reduce anxiety and chronic stress, reduce fatigue and improve sleep, release muscular tension and help manage chronic pain, and more—improving your overall health and well-being. As far as I can tell, there are generally no bad side effects. And there aren’t really any requirements to practice. You don’t have to be particularly strong or flexible, you don’t need a specific body type, you don’t have to be a certain age, race, or gender. You do, however, have to be willing to take the time for you. 

When we practice Restorative Yoga, we use props to support our bodies in positions that allow us to physically relax and help us shift from a sense of heightened awareness to a state of rest. If you’ve ever been to a class (or seen one), we’re all there lying on top of bolsters and blankets, and basically doing nothing. And that’s the point. The focus is on being rather than doing. We’re not trying to feel a deep stretch or look Instagram pose worthy. (There may be a time and place for those things, it’s just probably not in a restorative class.) Instead, we hold the poses for several minutes—sometimes up to 15-20 minutes—which enables us to release the grip of the muscular and mental tension, and it soothes the nervous system. 

Want to learn how to experience Restorative Yoga? Tried it a few times but want to learn more? Want to share this experience with your yoga students? Join me for Restorative Yoga Teacher Training beginning Monday, June 14, 2021. It’s a 6-hour course that combines live (virtual) and self-paced (pre-recorded) content. And if you sign up now, you will receive $50 off the training— that’s only $199. The price increases to $249 when the course launches on June 14. Register now. 

Interested but want to learn more? Join Jen on Zoom for a free 30-minute live Q&A and Savasana session on Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. Sign up now.