Restorative Yoga

The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj", which is literally translated as "union"; the union of the body and the spirit.

There are 8 different areas – or "limbs" - of yoga, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras written 2000 years ago by the Indian sage Patangali. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali writes “yoga citta vritti narodha”, meaning “yoga is the progressive quieting of the fluctuations of the mind."

Although Patangali was not the founder of yoga, his Yoga Sutras have become the most important collaboration which serves as a philosophical guideline for most of the yoga that is practiced today.

Patangali’s eight limbs of yoga are as below:

The yamas(restraints), niyamas (observances), asana(postures), pranayama (breathing),pratyahara (withdrawal of senses),dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). According to the texts, as we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).

Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a series of physical postures designed to purify the body and improve physical strength, flexibility and stamina. This is the practice of yoga as we know it today. There are many different forms of asana yoga, including Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa, Bikram, Hot yoga, Power yoga, Yin yoga etc.

In recent years, there has been an increase in interest towards the practice of dhyani (meditation) and pranayama (breathing). As Patangali states, if we explore and study all eight limbs of yoga, we are able to reach Samadhi (enlightenment).

The regular practice of yoga offers many benefits, both medical and spiritual, ranging from improved health, decreased aches and pains, weight loss, decreased blood pressure, improved immune systems, better sleeping, and overall improved vitality to slowing down the endless cycle of anger, fear, regret, guilt and frustration that create such stress in our lives, increased self-esteem and giving us inner strength and thereby benefiting all relationships we have, both with ourselves and those around us.

Vinyasa (or "flow" yoga) is a very active practice, incorporating a flow to the transitions between poses. It is a much more intense vigorous practice, similar to Ashtanga yoga. Restorative is the least vigorous form of yoga, relaxing in supported poses for up to 10 minutes.

You can actually do both forms of yoga if you like, as they are very different. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was this; if you’re not sure whether to do a faster-paced yoga or a restorative yoga, start with 5 sun salutations (and we can teach you these!). If you feel energized, then proceed with a regular yoga routine such as Hatha or a Vinyasa flow; if you feel tired and lethargic, then it’s time to do a Restorative practice.

We recommend doing Restorative in the evening or when in a state of mental or emotional stress, as it can be very calming. But really – there is no wrong or right time to do Restorative. Even if it’s just one pose, it can change everything in a few minutes.

The beauty of Restorative is that you don’t have to be able to touch your toes! As all of the poses are supported, we ensure you are comfortable and have enough props to allow you to relax into the pose gently, without pain.

While the best benefits are obtained through a sequence of poses, there are some poses that offer incredible benefits on their own which helps for those with time constraints.